Grand Theft Auto
News, coverage and analysis tracking Grand Theft Auto across the outlets.
UK employment tribunal denies Rockstar's request to have 'blacklisting' claims removed from upcoming trialA UK employment tribunal has denied Rockstar Games' request to remove 'blacklisting' allegations from an upcoming trial brought by fired workers represented by the IWGB Game Workers union. The trial, set to begin September 10, will proceed with these claims, which stem from the dismissal of 34 staff in the UK and Canada for alleged gross misconduct. The IWGB accuses Rockstar of union-busting, while Rockstar claims confidential information was leaked.
What the heck are you playing at, games industry?The article criticizes the recent surge in video game studio closures and layoffs, highlighting numerous studios shut down by major publishers like Ubisoft, EA, Embracer, Sony, and Microsoft. It questions the business strategies of these publishers, particularly Microsoft's handling of Ninja Theory and the high development cost of Xbox exclusives like Gears of War E-Day, while also pointing to the industry's pursuit of live services and infinite growth over sustainable development.
Study Measures Heart Rate Across 16 Games to Find the Most Stressful — Dark Souls Almost Wins, but Mario KartA study by BonusFinder US monitored the heart rates of 14 gamers across 16 titles to determine which games induce the most physiological stress. Mario Kart ranked highest for average heart rate increase over a 30-minute session, while Dark Souls III produced the most extreme peak heart rate spike during a boss fight. Conversely, games like Animal Crossing and The Sims were found to lower heart rates below resting levels.
What went wrong with Sega's $776m acquisition of Angry Birds giant Rovio?Sega Sammy's $776 million acquisition of Rovio has faced significant challenges, resulting in a $200 million impairment due to profitability falling below forecasts. Issues include difficulties integrating Rovio's technology and the mature state of the Angry Birds franchise in a rapidly changing mobile market with increased user acquisition costs and platform shifts. While Take-Two's acquisition of Zynga eventually proved successful, Sega's situation highlights the complexities and risks involved in acquiring mobile game companies, particularly when relying heavily on established IP.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2Amazon Games has confirmed that Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis will be released on February 12, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Steam, and the Nintendo Switch 2. The game's release was delayed to avoid competition with a new Grand Theft Auto title.- ‘Don’t drop the soap’: GTA actor celebrates prison sentence for swatter who targeted himAn actor known for his role in Grand Theft Auto is celebrating the sentencing of an individual who targeted him with swatting incidents. The perpetrator will serve prison time for the harassment.
A Deep Dive Into The Longing For Modern Nostalgia in Gaming – Why Retro-Inspired Works!This article explores the phenomenon of modern nostalgia in gaming, arguing that retro-inspired games offer a unique form of escapism by harkening back to simpler times and human connections. The author discusses how these games, with their often crude graphics and straightforward gameplay, provide a refreshing alternative to the complexity and corporate control of the modern internet and gaming landscape. The piece also touches on community feedback from platforms like Reddit and Facebook, highlighting player preferences for pick-up-and-play experiences and creative innovation often found in indie titles.
Grand Theft Auto’s Success is Hard to Meet Even for Former Rockstar Employees, Says Take-Two CEOTake-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick commented on the increasing difficulty of creating hit games in a mature industry, noting that even former Rockstar Games employees have struggled to replicate Grand Theft Auto's success. He emphasized Take-Two's goal to attract such talent to their own company rather than face them as competitors. Zelnick also discussed Grand Theft Auto 6's development, stating that annual releases are not a priority and that the franchise's success was built over time, not through a fixed release cadence.
Take-Two CEO says 'former Rockstar employees' have tried to match GTA's success and 'haven't been able to'—and while he doesn't name names, that's gotta sting for a certain someoneTake-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that while AI could theoretically allow smaller teams to create games, it doesn't guarantee success on the scale of Grand Theft Auto. He noted that many, including former Rockstar employees, have tried to replicate Rockstar's hit-making ability without success, emphasizing that creativity, not just technology, is key to continued success.- Tomo: Endless Blue Launches on Kickstarter With First Gameplay TrailerIndie studio Onibi has launched a Kickstarter campaign for their open-world voxel RPG, Tomo: Endless Blue, featuring procedurally generated worlds and offline gameplay. The game's first trailer, which showcases gameplay mechanics like creature capture, physics-based building, and real-time combat, has garnered significant attention. Backers can receive early access and exclusive rewards, with the game also featuring a robust creative mode and modding support.
My memories of classic GTA have been gloriously smothered by this reasonably SFW giantess erotica gameStep 'n Smush is a free browser game where players control large women stepping on cities to gain size, with the goal of crushing buildings and pedestrians within a time limit. The game, developed by Kylie-GTS, is described as reasonably SFW erotica with inspirations from Godzilla films and games like Rampage. The article also briefly touches upon the broader macrophilia community and mentions other games like Grand Theft Auto and Resident Evil Village.
Mixtape Isn't Just a Video GameMixtape is an artistic exploration of nostalgia and the coming-of-age experience, blurring lines between storytelling and multimedia art. Developed by Beethoven & Dinosaur and published by Annapurna Interactive, the game uses a curated soundtrack and vignettes to evoke the bittersweet emotions of youth and friendship. The article argues that such unique, artful experiences are vital for the evolution of the video game medium, even if they fall outside mainstream expectations.- Listen to the Take-Two Interactive (TTWO) Q4 2026 earnings call hereTake-Two Interactive, the publisher of Grand Theft Auto, will hold its Q4 2026 earnings call today. Investors and interested parties can listen to the discussion of the company's latest financial results.
- Morning InterviewsIn an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Strauss Zelnick discussed Grand Theft Auto, the role of artificial intelligence in game development, and the future of Roblox. He also spoke about his vision for building the world's largest entertainment company.
- Test Drive 3 - bilspelet som öppnade en hel världTest Drive 3: The Passion, released in 1990, is highlighted as a pioneering title that introduced the concept of an open world to the racing genre, years before it became a common feature. Despite its early 3D graphics and limited car selection, the game offered unprecedented freedom and immersion with its dynamic environments and police chases. While it didn't immediately spark a revolution, its legacy is seen in modern open-world racing games like Forza Horizon.
World's largest film archive has a collection of internet memes now, including a granny having a cathartic GTA rampage and Limmy's Purple Burglar AlarmThe British Film Institute, known for archiving film, has expanded its collection to include British internet memes. This initiative aims to preserve online culture, with examples like a Grand Theft Auto rampage video and Limmy's Purple Burglar Alarm being added to their online video archive.
Take-Two's CEO says AI's not in the business of making hits, 'datasets by their very nature are backward looking', but that doesn't mean AI can't be 'super helpful'Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick believes that while AI can be a helpful tool for asset creation in game development, it is not capable of creating hit games. He argues that hits are inherently unexpected and forward-looking, whereas AI datasets are backward-looking, leading to derivative property rather than true innovation.
I won’t buy a PS6 unless Sony bring back lost feature from the PS4 - Reader’s FeatureA long-time PlayStation fan expresses dissatisfaction with Sony's direction, stating they will not purchase the PlayStation 6 unless beloved features like backwards compatibility and an internet browser are reinstated. The reader highlights the removal of features since the PlayStation 3 era and contrasts Sony's current offerings with those of the Xbox Series X.- Diskutera – Spelet med det bästa slutet är...This article invites readers to discuss which video game endings have left the most lasting impression. It prompts users to share their favorite and most memorable conclusions to games, acknowledging the potential for spoilers.
- Why 2026 is the Year We Stop Playing and Start Solving - Walkthrough, Tips, ReviewThe gaming industry is shifting from simple "match-three" mechanics towards more complex puzzle-solving experiences, a trend expected to accelerate in 2026. Games like Baba Is You and The Witness exemplify this by valuing player discovery and offering unique feedback loops. This 'thinky' movement is gaining mainstream traction, driven by a desire for intentionality and cognitive satisfaction, and is even influencing scientific research into human creativity and AI.