Video Game Marketing
Ongoing coverage on Video Game Marketing.
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GTA 6 cover art continues a 25-year-old Rockstar tradition
Rockstar Games is continuing a 25-year tradition with the box art for Grand Theft Auto 6, which features a helicopter in the top left corner, a design element present since Grand Theft Auto 3. The reveal coincided with the announcement that pre-orders for the game will begin next week, alongside a new clip showcasing Vice City.
GTA VI Pre-Orders Begins on June 25, 2026 — Cover Art Revealed — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Rockstar Games has announced that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI will begin on June 25, 2026, with the game officially releasing on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The developer also revealed the game's cover art and confirmed a trailer is expected soon, marking the start of an intensified marketing campaign for the highly anticipated title set in Vice City.
Yes, the rumors were right: Grand Theft Auto IV preorders will open next week
Rockstar Games has announced that preorders for Grand Theft Auto IV will open next week. The announcement was made via a minimalist press release and on the official Rockstar Games website, reflecting a straightforward approach to marketing.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Pre-Orders to Start on June 25th, Cover Art Revealed
Rockstar Games announced that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 will begin on June 25th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The official cover art has also been revealed, featuring the franchise's traditional panel design. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed marketing will ramp up this summer, while also addressing the console-first release strategy and the lack of a PC version announcement.
Control Resonant Is Receiving Remedy’s “Biggest Marketing Campaign” To Help It Weather A Crowded Calender This September
Remedy Entertainment is launching its "biggest marketing campaign" for Control Resonant to ensure it stands out in a crowded September release window. Communications director Thomas Puha stated that the company trusts the quality of the game and is supporting it with extensive promotional efforts. The game is also competitively priced and features multiple factions and a combo-focused combat system.
Hidden Zelda: Ocarina Of Time blurb found as Nintendo beats Summer Game Fest
Nintendo has altered the description for the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on its website, initially describing it as a full remake for the Nintendo Switch 2 with updated visuals and designs, before changing it to a more generic statement. This change has led to speculation about Nintendo's secrecy surrounding the project, which is slated for release in 2026.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Coming in November Unless Something “Catastrophically Goes Wrong,” Says Insider
An insider claims Grand Theft Auto 6 is still on track for a November release, with marketing set to begin on June 21st. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick reiterated the November 19th launch date. The game is expected to release on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
Spore devs say the evolution game's previews were more ambitious than what they were actually making, and they 'built a fantasy in people's minds that was unachievable'
Former developers of Spore admit that the game's ambitious previews, particularly Will Wright's GDC 2005 presentation, created an unrealistic expectation for the final product. They acknowledge that the marketing built a fantasy of a deep simulation that the game, which was always intended as a collection of minigames, could not achieve.
Gears of War: E-Day’s Budget is “Upwards of $400 Million” – Rumor
A rumor suggests that Gears of War: E-Day has a development budget exceeding $400 million, a figure described as "insane" by insider Tom Henderson. The game, which is an Xbox console exclusive, features advanced graphics including realistic destruction and ray-traced lighting. The article also mentions a pulled trailer that briefly showed a PlayStation 5 logo, contradicting claims it was never planned for the platform.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Is Still Nowhere to Be Seen, 8 Years Later
Eight years after its initial announcement, The Elder Scrolls 6 remains in development with no official release date or gameplay revealed. Xbox chief Matt Booty stated the game looks amazing and is progressing well, but Bethesda Game Studios is prioritizing showing it at the right time. Despite updates from Todd Howard indicating it has passed playable milestones and is built on Creation Engine 3, the prolonged silence has led to speculation and frustration among fans, especially considering the development timelines of other major titles like Starfield.
Does The Ocarina Of Time Remake Teaser Signal Zelda’s Sanding Down Its Edges?
A teaser for the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has raised concerns about Nintendo potentially 'sanding down' the series' unique artistic edges for broader market appeal, especially in light of the upcoming live-action movie. While the remake's visuals are technically impressive, the author worries it lacks the distinct personality seen in previous Zelda titles and may be overly sanitized for mass consumption.
New Joy-Con Colours And A Stand-Alone Direct Are Inbound For Splatoon Raiders
Nintendo announced a standalone Direct presentation for Splatoon Raiders on June 30th, promising more details about the upcoming game. The company also revealed a Splatoon-themed Splatfest from July 10th-12th and a new blue and yellow Joy-Con colorway launching alongside the game on July 23rd.
Games Inbox: What will be in the Nintendo Direct today?
Readers speculate on the contents of an upcoming Nintendo Direct, with predictions ranging from a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake to new Switch 2 titles. Discussions also touch upon Xbox's exclusivity policies, the perceived lack of innovation in modern game design, and the aging gamer demographic.
Issues and Activism
GOG has apologized for mistakenly sending an email containing Nazi symbols in a newsletter promoting a Slavic fantasy game. The company acknowledged the error, stating that a series of mistakes were made, and the issue was discussed on Reddit.
1666 Amsterdam's prologue is taking a beating from Steam commenters. That just seems unfair.
The prologue for Panache Digital Games' upcoming action RPG 1666: Amsterdam, developed by Assassin's Creed veteran Patrice Désilets, has received harsh criticism on Steam. Despite a mixed reception and a low Steam rating, the author argues that the prologue, intended as an introductory experience, is being unfairly judged as a full demo, leading to unrealistic player expectations and damaging the game's potential.
Issues and Activism
Sony and Amazon are investigating their supply chains for potential funding of armed conflict. Separately, confusion has arisen around a discount offer for Marathon Deluxe Edition, which provides bonuses to free-trial players without requiring the full game purchase.
PS5's Fairgames Dodged State of Play, But Could It Be Rebranded at Summer Game Fest?
Sony's live service game Fairgames, potentially to be rebranded as Break In, was not featured in the recent State of Play broadcast. The article speculates that Summer Game Fest could be a more suitable venue for its re-reveal, given its audience and the event's focus on live service titles.
Quiz: Minns du spelvärldens taglines?
This article presents a quiz testing players' memory of famous taglines from the video game industry. It highlights how memorable phrases were crucial for selling games before the era of extensive trailers and developer diaries.
Latest PS5 State of Play Already Most Watched Ever, On Track to Overtake PS Showcases
The latest PlayStation State of Play broadcast has become the most-watched ever, surpassing previous records set by other State of Play and PlayStation Showcase events. This indicates Sony's success in leveraging the State of Play format for communication with its audience, with future broadcasts expected to continue this trend.
Latest PS5 State of Play Now Sony's Second Biggest Livestream Ever
Sony's latest State of Play livestream has become its second most-viewed broadcast ever, accumulating over five million views and surpassing previous PS Showcases. The PS5 reveal event from June 2020 remains the most watched at 15 million views. Individual trailers for Marvel's Wolverine and God of War Laufey were among the most popular videos from the event.