Game Pricing
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Evening Reading - June 24, 2026
Shacknews presents its Evening Reading for June 24, 2026, featuring a review of Star Fox, an analysis of Destiny 2's decline, and details on Grand Theft Auto 6's pricing and lack of physical discs. The roundup also includes news on John Carmack's thoughts on Quake, a report of DayZ 2 development, and Micron's financial results.
Games Inbox: Will you boycott GTA 6 for being digital-only?
Readers discuss the implications of Grand Theft Auto 6 being digital-only at launch, with some considering a boycott to protest the lack of physical copies and high price. The discussion also touches on the evolution of game remakes, the enduring appeal of classic franchises like Star Fox and Sonic, and the anniversary of Quake.
GTA 6 fans 'devastated' there's no disc as Rockstar confirms no online at launch
Rockstar Games has confirmed Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch on November 19, 2026, with standard and ultimate editions priced at $79.99 and $99.99 respectively. Both editions will not include a physical disc, instead providing a download code, which has caused significant backlash from fans concerned about digital distribution and pricing. The game will initially be a single-player experience, with no online component available at launch.
Waiting for GTA 6's PC release might save you dropping an extra $20 for access to some special shops, based on my wading through GTA 5's editions soup
This article speculates on whether PC players will receive Grand Theft Auto 6's ultimate edition bonuses, such as access to special shops, for free at launch, drawing parallels with Grand Theft Auto 5's various editions. It suggests that Rockstar Games might bundle these extras to encourage PC players to purchase the game again, potentially saving them from paying extra for in-game content.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 3 Could Drop Soon – Here’s Why
Speculation is mounting that a third trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 could be released on June 25th, coinciding with the pre-order launch date. This theory is fueled by a cryptic comment from YouTube's official channel and historical marketing patterns from Rockstar Games, similar to Red Dead Redemption 2's release cycle. The article also touches on recent pricing details and industry rumors of layoffs.
Games Inbox: Is the Valve Steam Machine worth it?
Readers discuss the value proposition of Valve's Steam Machine, with many finding its price point too high compared to a custom PC or even a PlayStation 5. Other topics include potential pricing for Grand Theft Auto 6, the surprising early planning of God of War's Laufey, and concerns about the use of AI in game development.
The latest indie mega-sensation is Meccha Chameleon, an artsy hide-and-seek game, which has sold an astronomical amount in only two weeks
The indie hide-and-seek game Meccha Chameleon has achieved over 7 million copies sold in less than two weeks since its release. The game, developed by solo developer Lemelion, features players disguising themselves with paint tools and has gained popularity through word-of-mouth and influencers. A Japan-themed map is set to be added soon, and the game's low price point of £5.29 is highlighted as a contrast to rising triple-A game costs.
Games Inbox: Are the original Halo games still worth playing?
Readers discuss the enduring appeal of older Halo titles, with one praising Halo 3's timeless design and soundtrack. Another reader reflects on the evolution of gaming technology and online infrastructure since the original Xbox era. Concerns are also raised about the current state of game pricing and the potential impact of consumer reluctance to buy games at full price.
Xbox's Chief Strategy Officer says ads can offer "more affordable alternatives," but believes in-game interruptions "would be bad"
Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball clarified comments regarding the potential for ad-supported, more affordable alternatives to services like Xbox Game Pass. He emphasized that any discussion of ads was in the context of offering lower-cost options alongside existing ad-free experiences, similar to streaming services, and explicitly stated that in-game advertisements interrupting gameplay would be a negative development.
Xbox is rethinking Project Helix amid the AI chip cost crisis
Microsoft's Xbox is reconsidering its future hardware plans, including Project Helix, due to the rising costs of AI chips and component shortages. Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball indicated that the company is exploring changes to the console model to ensure affordability and flexibility, acknowledging the ongoing supply chain crisis which may last for several years. This strategic shift comes as Xbox faces pressure on hardware specs and pricing, with current Xbox Series X consoles now priced at $650 in the US.
Bungie saves Marathon Deluxe Edition mix-up by giving affected players the base game for free
Bungie is offering the base edition of Marathon for free to players who purchased the Deluxe Edition upgrade during a recent promotion on PlayStation. An issue arose where users were not clearly informed that the upgrade did not include the base game, leading to potential loss of access after the free trial. Bungie has since corrected the store messaging and is providing the base game to affected customers.
Nintendo Switch 2 At One: Nintendo’s Biggest Wins, Misses, And Surprises
The Nintendo Switch 2 has had a strong sales start, becoming Nintendo's fastest-selling console, but momentum is slowing. While it offers good value compared to competitors, its first-party game lineup has not yet matched the success of its predecessor, relying heavily on third-party titles. Nintendo's continued practice of charging for graphical upgrades and other services has also frustrated some owners.
PS5 First-Party Sales Have Fallen Sharply, But It Doesn't Tell the Full Story
A report analyzing Sony's first-party game sales on PlayStation 5 reveals a significant drop in unit sales since FY20. However, the article argues this decline is influenced by factors such as increased game prices, fewer releases, the end of indie publishing, reduced discounting, the introduction of PS Plus Extra, and shifts in player behavior towards evergreen titles.
The best-rated game of 2026 is $20 because the devs "don't want people to wait" for a discount: "We…
Indie developer Yacht Club Games has priced its upcoming title, Mina the Hollower, at $20, a decision co-founder Sean Velasco states was made to ensure players wouldn't hesitate to purchase it. This pricing strategy contrasts with the industry trend of $70 games and has contributed to Mina the Hollower receiving high praise and strong initial sales, with Velasco aiming for over a million copies sold.
Product Placement Can Help Save The AAA Games Business, Former BioWare Dev Says
Former BioWare veteran Mark Darrah suggests that product placement could be a viable solution for the financial sustainability of AAA game development, arguing that an over-reliance on live-service models and microtransactions is limiting. He points to existing examples in games and other media, and questions why it isn't a larger part of the gaming industry's revenue streams. Darrah also expressed concerns about the impact of subscription services like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass on game design.
Xbox CEO says Game Pass price cuts are "a good first step" but the company has a lot more to do
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that recent price cuts for Xbox Game Pass are a positive initial step towards restoring durable growth for the division. She acknowledged that subscriber growth had slowed and retention decreased after previous pricing changes, but noted improvements since the reductions. Sharma emphasized that further work and difficult choices are necessary to address the company's challenges.
Games Inbox: When will GTA 6 pre-orders start?
Readers discuss the long wait for Grand Theft Auto 6, speculating on when pre-orders might begin and when the next trailer will drop. Other topics include potential Star Wars games, Nintendo's announcement strategies, and Sony's price increases for PlayStation Plus.
Games Inbox: What Nintendo Switch 2 games will be announced in June?
Readers speculate on upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 game announcements, potential price increases, and the possibility of a FromSoftware pirate game. Discussions also touch on game review scores, saving for next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 6, and the potential for director's cuts of games like Resident Evil Requiem.
GTA 6 hopefuls encouraged by Sony to upgrade to PS5 now
Sony is encouraging PlayStation 4 owners to upgrade to PlayStation 5 to play Grand Theft Auto 6 upon its November 19, 2026 release. Recent marketing materials confirm the game has received a Mature 17+ rating from the ESRB, indicating development is on schedule. Analysts estimate Take-Two Interactive spent between $1 billion and $1.5 billion on the title.
Evening Interviews
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick discusses various topics including BioShock, game pricing, and the Grand Theft Auto franchise. The interview also touches upon a disappearing NFL deal and Rebellion's involvement in the industry.