Grand Theft Auto VI
News, coverage and analysis tracking Grand Theft Auto VI across the outlets.
The Games You Should be Playing in July – TheXboxHub Official Podcast #230TheXboxHub Official Podcast Episode 330 discusses upcoming game releases for July and recent gaming industry news. Hosts Gareth, Paul, and Darren cover titles like Halo, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Grand Theft Auto VI, and more, alongside significant changes at Xbox and PlayStation's potential shift away from physical discs.
Is GTA VI Part of the Final Push Away from Discs?Grand Theft Auto VI's massive anticipated launch is fueling speculation about a potential shift away from physical discs in the gaming industry. While physical editions may still be released with download codes, the trend towards digital distribution and cloud-based entertainment suggests this title could be a catalyst for further change.
Rockstar workers hit back, PlayStation ditches physical discs, and chipmakers accused of price fixing - Patch Notes #59Several significant developments have occurred in the gaming industry, including Rockstar Games facing accusations of pay inequity and crunch, Sony's PlayStation preparing to discontinue physical software production in January 2028, and major chipmakers being sued for alleged price-fixing. Additionally, Ubisoft has hired Christoph Hartmann to oversee its Tom Clancy franchises, while Krafton has agreed to pay bonuses to the Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds following a legal dispute and CEO resignation. Microsoft is also reportedly testing a disc-to-digital feature for its Xbox consoles.- Rockstar Games Announces Pre-Orders for Grand Theft Auto VIRockstar Games, a label of Take-Two Interactive Software, has announced that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI will begin on June 25, 2026. The game is set to launch on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with various editions and pre-order bonuses detailed.
- GTA6 devs accuse Rockstar of crunch and pay inequity, Spanish Ubisoft devs go on strikeDevelopers at Rockstar Games have accused the studio of crunch, pay inequity, and using legal loopholes to bypass UK labor laws, amidst the development of Grand Theft Auto VI. Meanwhile, Ubisoft Barcelona developers in Spain have gone on strike over restructuring and job losses, demanding better working conditions and job security. A new fund has also been established to financially assist game developers who have lost their jobs.
The Video Game History Foundation calls on the ESA to offer "meaningful solutions" for preserving digital-only gamesThe Video Game History Foundation, through its director Frank Cifaldi, is urging the Entertainment Software Association to develop meaningful solutions for preserving digital-only games. Cifaldi highlights that physical media is becoming obsolete and even digital patches render physical copies unrepresentative of the final product, calling for legal frameworks to aid archives and museums in preservation efforts.
GTA Online Celebrates Independence Day With Huge Rewards, Free Bunker And Massive DiscountsGrand Theft Auto Online is celebrating Independence Day with a major in-game event featuring a free Bunker property, free weapons, patriotic cosmetics, and significant discounts on various items and vehicles. Players can also earn triple rewards on several activities and take advantage of the final opportunities for the Fine Art Collector Program bonuses before July 13th.
The Console Market Is CookedThe console market is facing significant price increases for both Xbox Series S and PlayStation 5 Pro models, driven by a global chip shortage exacerbated by AI development and data center construction. Changing player habits, with a shift towards mobile gaming, also contribute to market volatility. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella discusses these factors, alongside AAA development costs and inflation, suggesting a shrinking console audience as prices rise.
Rockstar developers seek union recognition and accuse studio of crunch and poor compensationThe Rockstar Game Workers Union has requested voluntary recognition from the studio, citing issues with pay transparency, crunch, and compensation. This follows legal disputes where Rockstar was accused of union busting. Workers report inconsistent bonuses, difficulty with promotions, and mandated crunch, with the company also reverting on flexible work promises.
Xbox Reportedly Testing Feature Allowing You To Digitize Physical DiscsXbox is reportedly testing a new feature called 'Disc2Digital' that would allow users to digitize their physical game discs and add them to their Xbox account. This feature would only apply to Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S games, with older Xbox 360 discs not supported. The move comes amid industry trends towards digital-only releases and potential future console designs without disc drives.
Next Xbox, Project Helix, Will Reportedly Not Have a Disc DriveReports indicate the next Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, will be a discless model, eliminating support for physical media. This follows PlayStation's announcement of ending physical disc production in 2028 and Rockstar Games' confirmation of no disc version for Grand Theft Auto VI. The move raises significant concerns for game preservation and the physical game market, with figures like Frank Cifaldi of the Video Game History Foundation highlighting the challenges for archiving digital-only content.
PlayStation to end physical disc production in 2028Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that PlayStation will cease production of physical game discs in January 2028, shifting entirely to digital sales. This move aligns with consumer trends favoring digital distribution and follows similar strategies from Xbox and PC gaming. The decision raises concerns for physical media retailers and game preservation.
Sony announces it is ending physical disc production for new games come 2028Sony has announced that it will cease physical disc production for new PlayStation games starting January 1, 2028. This shift to digital-only releases for new titles on PlayStation 5 and future consoles aims to reduce costs and align with market trends. The decision impacts the ownership model for consumers and raises concerns about potential price markups in digital storefronts.
Playstation slutar helt med fysiska spel efter 2027PlayStation will cease releasing physical game discs for its consoles starting January 1, 2028, citing shifting consumer preferences towards digital distribution. While physical games will still be sold, they will contain only download codes. This move is expected to eliminate the second-hand market and potentially lower production costs for future consoles like the PlayStation 6.
Sony announces an end to the PS3 and Vita digital storesSony announced it will be closing the digital stores for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita globally in July 2027, with some regions seeing closures later this year. While previously reversed due to fan backlash in 2021, the company cites the need to evolve commerce systems and focus resources on modern platforms. Games already purchased will remain downloadable.
PlayStation Announces Ending Physical Disc Production For All New Games in 2028Sony announced that starting January 2028, all new games released on PlayStation consoles will cease physical disc production, shifting to digital formats only. The company cited a consumer preference for digital media as the reason for this change, which will affect all new game releases, not just first-party titles.
PlayStation ending production of physical software in January 2028Sony Interactive Entertainment will cease production of physical game discs for all new PlayStation titles starting January 2028, reflecting a shift towards digital distribution. This decision aligns with changing consumer preferences and industry trends, impacting games released before the cutoff date. The company remains committed to providing diverse purchasing options for players.
Rockstar accused of ignoring pay inequity, mandating crunch, and weaponizing bonusesMultiple Rockstar Games developers, speaking anonymously through the Rockstar Game Workers Union, have accused the company of failing to address gender-based pay inequity, mandating crunch, and using bonuses to manipulate employees. The developers claim that compensation is inconsistent and often falls below market rates, with initiatives to address pay gaps being scrapped. The union is seeking voluntary recognition and has highlighted that crunch is normalized through UK worker contracts, with employees opting out of regulations.
PS5 System Update for July 2026 Is Live, Don’t Get Your Hopes UpSony Interactive Entertainment has released a new PlayStation 5 system software update, version 26.04-13.42.00, for July 2026. The update, weighing around 1 GB, is described as improving system performance and stability, with no major new features for players. Notably, it does not fix the broken 'Recently Played' section but does include a Grand Theft Auto VI overlay on the PS5 Welcome Hub and PS Store search bar.- MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffsThis week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.