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GTA 6 needs a driver’s licence to play in Australia and the UK could be the same
Australia's age verification laws may require players to use a driver's license to play Grand Theft Auto 6, a policy that could also be implemented in the UK. Rockstar Games must comply with these regulations or face significant fines. While an official age rating is pending, a PlayStation email indicated an M rating in the US, suggesting an 18 rating in the UK and R18 in Australia.
GTA Online: The Kortz Center Heist gets mid-July release date
Rockstar Games has announced that the next major Grand Theft Auto Online content update, The Kortz Center Heist, will be released on July 14, 2026, for all platforms. This update focuses on art forgery and theft, allowing players to undertake a new score solo or with up to three other players.
GTA 6 Fans Are Getting Excited Again For A Date In August, As Take-Two Makes A Notable Change
Fans are speculating about new Grand Theft Auto 6 information following a change in Take-Two Interactive's quarterly earnings report schedule to August 7. Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar Games, will release its report before the market opens, with a conference call at 8 AM ET. This timing, combined with Take-Two's previous statements about beginning the marketing campaign for Grand Theft Auto 6 this summer, has fueled excitement for potential announcements.
GTA 6 faces potential $35 million fine if Rockstar doesn't comply with online safety laws that mean Australians…
Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 6 may face potential fines of up to $35 million in Australia if it does not comply with the country's online safety laws requiring age verification for adult-rated content. Similar to Grand Theft Auto 5, the upcoming title is expected to receive an M or 18+ rating, necessitating ID checks for access, particularly for its online component. Failure to implement these measures could result in significant penalties under Australian legislation.
A risk-averse video game industry is failing marginalized developers
The video game industry is criticized for being risk-averse, leading to difficulties for marginalized developers like Nazih Fares and his team behind the satirical card game 'The Arab League of Misfits.' Despite positive feedback, their game is deemed too risky by potential funders due to its Arab identity and heritage focus. This trend is exacerbated by industry-wide struggles, layoffs, and a preference for safe, licensed IPs over supporting new voices.
"A hammer blow for games retail" - Experts weigh in on PlayStation's discless future, and the impact it will have on traditional game stores
Sony will cease large-scale production of new physical game discs in January 2028, a move industry experts are calling a "hammer blow" to the already struggling physical game retail market. This decision significantly impacts brick-and-mortar stores and the pre-owned games market, as physical copies lose their resale value and collectability. Experts suggest retailers will need to innovate with digital sales in-store to survive.
MindsEye developers protest against a fan event their own studio is hosting
Developers at Build a Rocket Boy are planning to protest an upcoming on-site playtest event for their game MindsEye, citing recent layoffs and concerns over labor practices. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain is supporting the protest, which highlights the studio's spending on fan events while allegedly mistreating its workforce.
Terrible GTA Trilogy remasters were actually enjoyed by "a lot of people," says studio boss who "agreed…
Thomas Williamson, CEO of Grove Street Games, acknowledges the poor reception of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition but claims many players still enjoyed it. He suggests that while he agreed with most criticisms, the development team's perspective on the release and its response differed. Williamson also expressed dissatisfaction with Rockstar Games removing Grove Street Games from the title screens in updates.
GTA Trilogy remaster boss understands fan anger but says 'a lot of people were playing them and really enjoying…
Grove Street Games CEO Thomas Williamson acknowledged the widespread criticism of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition's buggy launch, agreeing with most reactions. However, he noted that internal metrics indicated many players still enjoyed the game. Williamson also suggested that a truly perfect remaster would ideally be developed in-house by Rockstar Games.
Evening Postmortems/Retrospectives
Grove Street Games, the developer behind the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy Definitive Edition, has acknowledged that fan criticisms regarding the remaster's quality were valid. However, the studio also stated that the disastrous launch was not solely attributable to the remaster itself, implying other contributing factors.
Games Inbox: Will Sony do a U-turn on PS5 discs?
Readers discuss Sony's potential shift to digital-only for the PlayStation 5, with speculation that Rockstar Games' desire for full profits from Grand Theft Auto 6 might be a factor. The article also touches on layoffs at id Software and the business strategies of Microsoft and Xbox, questioning their long-term viability.
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy Studio Boss Acknowledges Issues, Says Players Still Enjoyed It
Thomas Williamson, CEO of Grove Street Games, acknowledged the widespread criticism and bugs affecting Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition. While admitting the release had issues, he stated internal metrics showed many players enjoyed the remastered titles. Williamson also suggested that a truly perfect redux would require direct involvement from Rockstar Games.
Sony killing physical PlayStation games has folks so angry that its announcement has even more views than Rockstar's GTA 6 trailer posts on Twitter
Sony's announcement regarding the discontinuation of physical PlayStation games has generated significant controversy, evidenced by its announcement post on Twitter receiving more views than Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer posts. Despite the higher view count for Sony's announcement, the engagement in terms of likes suggests a more negative reception compared to the Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer.
It sure feels like PlayStation underestimated the backlash to ending physical games: its first post in a week has been…
Sony's decision to end support for physical PlayStation games and shut down the PS3 and PS Vita storefronts has generated significant backlash. The company's first social media post since the announcement, discussing a fight stick controller, was met with widespread criticism and demands for physical media, indicating a potential underestimation of player sentiment.
As layoffs continue to ravage the games industry, a union across North America establishes a fund to help those impacted by it
The United Videogame Workers union, in partnership with the Communications Workers of America, has launched the Game Worker Hardship Fund to assist industry professionals impacted by layoffs since January 2024. The fund offers up to $5,000 for work and life expenses, with contributions coming from union membership dues and a new itch.io charity bundle. This initiative aims to provide a lifeline to workers affected by recent industry-wide job cuts.
Lords of the Fallen 2 Studio CEO Says More Games May Go Fully Digital by 2027 or Sooner
CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski believes physical game discs could disappear by 2027 or sooner, citing Grand Theft Auto 6 potentially skipping physical releases and Sony's planned end of disc production in 2028. Tyminski argues digital sales offer significantly higher revenue per unit for developers compared to physical releases, which incur higher costs and lower margins. Industry figures like Shawn Layden and Hideo Kojima have also commented on Sony's decision, with Kojima expressing concerns about the broader implications for digital ownership and access to art.
GTA 6 shipping without discs "feels unfair to studios still backing physical," Lords of the Fallen 2 boss says, and Sony's certainly not helping
CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski expressed concern over Rockstar Games' decision to ship Grand Theft Auto 6 without physical discs and Sony's planned discontinuation of PlayStation disc production in 2028. Tyminski argues these moves are unfair to studios still supporting physical releases, citing lower revenue and higher costs compared to digital sales. He confirmed Lords of the Fallen 2 will still receive a physical disc release, but acknowledged the increasing difficulty in justifying the format.
"This is all about control" - industry experts speak on Sony's move away from discs, and what this means for the PlayStation 6 and the cost of games
Sony has announced it will cease production of physical game discs in January 2028, a move industry experts believe signals a disc-less PlayStation 6 likely launching in 2028. This decision is expected to reduce console manufacturing costs and shift the market further towards digital distribution, impacting game pricing and consumer ownership. While some see it as a necessary evolution, concerns remain about preservation and the second-hand market.
Issues and Activism
This article discusses the major controversies surrounding the Grand Theft Auto series. It delves into the various issues and debates that have arisen throughout the franchise's history, touching upon topics that have sparked public and industry discussion.
GTA Online celebrates Independence Day with conspicuous consumption and explosions
Grand Theft Auto Online is celebrating Independence Day with a week-long event featuring discounts on vehicles and patriotic purchases. Players can also get a free Firework Launcher and double rewards on Bunker Sell Missions. The event encourages players to engage in 'American' activities like purchasing large vehicles and using explosives.