Ahead of the scheduled The Kortz Center Heist update for Grand Theft Auto Online in July as well as the upcoming long-awaited release of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) on November 19 (preorders go live next week), developer Rockstar Games has made players a sweet new offer for its predecessor GTA 5.

In a recent blog post, the studio announced that from today onwards, those who own the Xbox One, PS4, or "Legacy" (PC) version of GTA 5 will be able to upgrade to the next-gen Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and "Enhanced" (PC) editions for free by downloading them from their platform's storefront. The upgrade includes the full package, meaning access to both GTA 5 Story Mode as well as GTA Online.

The native Xbox Series X|S and PS5 versions — and GTA 5 Enhanced on PC — sport "vast technical improvements, easy migration of your Story Mode and Online progress, and new features including Hao’s Special Works high-performance vehicles and upgrades, Career Progress rewards, and much more."

Essentially, existing GTA 5 owners will get a new version of both Story Mode and Online with better visuals and performance along with some nifty gameplay upgrades, with full support for profile and progress migration on consoles and PC. However, for Xbox players specifically, I have bad news: there's a big catch.

While folks who own a physical PS4 copy of GTA 5 can download the next-gen PS5 version free-of-charge as long as they have the disc in their console, the same option isn't available to disc owners that play on Xbox. If you have a physical Xbox version of the game, it won't allow you to download the Xbox Series X|S edition of GTA 5 for free.

Rockstar has addressed this in a FAQ for the offered upgrade, stating that "Physical disc owners cannot upgrade to a digital version due to limitations of the platform." No details were provided beyond that, though, so I'm not sure what those limitations are, and ultimately, it's unclear right now.

I've reached out to Microsoft and Xbox for comment, and will update this article if I glean more information about whatever's preventing owners of physical GTA 5 Xbox copies from accessing the digital next-gen version of the title.

Ultimately, it's a frustrating situation for many Xbox gamers, as there's undoubtedly a significant portion of the community that owns a physical copy of GTA 5 and would like to be able to get the next-gen version digitally without having to spend money on it. It also displays the value of Microsoft's Smart Delivery system for automatic cross-gen Xbox game upgrades — and highlights how irksome it is when developers and games don't support it.

In the end, I hope Microsoft and Rockstar are able to work something out here so that those who own physical Xbox copies of GTA 5 aren't left behind with these free upgrades. I'm not exactly holding my breath, though.

Would you be willing to pay for GTA 5 on Xbox again in order to access the next-gen Xbox Series X|S version? Let me know in the comments, and in our poll.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

If you weren’t already aware, hacking group "ShinyHunters" recently threatened Rockstar Games, claiming it would release internal data taken from the company. Rockstar ignored those demands, and the group followed through, publishing financial details that give us a rare look at how much GTA Online generates.

GTA Online has been around since 2013, pitting players against each other, handing out jobs, and generally encouraging chaos. At least, that has been my experience with it. Don’t hate me, but I always preferred GTA IV.

Now, we have a clearer look at just how much GTA Online generates each week across all platforms.

It is also worth pointing out that, on average, Xbox players spend more per player than PlayStation users. Xbox Series X players spend around $1.65 per user weekly compared to roughly $1.29 on PS5, which is about 28 percent higher. With that in mind, one player on Xbox also reportedly spent over $1 million on Shark Cards alone in 2020.

These details may also hint at why Rockstar Games often delays PC releases. PC users sit at just under 900,000 players, which is lower than Xbox One’s user base of over 1 million. Spending tells a similar story. PC players generate around $264,000 per week in GTA Online, compared to roughly $918,000 on Xbox One, a significant gap.

Now, I will admit I have only briefly played GTA Online a few times. One of those was earlier this year with some friends, and it just never really grabbed me. I always preferred GTA IV and San Andreas back in the day. With that said, this financial leak mostly confirms what many of us likely assumed. GTA Online is still bringing in massive amounts of cash; there's no real surprise there.

If the reported costs of GTA 6 are anything to go by, Rockstar likely needs every bit of that revenue, and it is probably more than happy with the $440 million generated from GTA Online alone.

Let me know your thoughts on this leak, whether you even care, or if it is much of what you expected, and as always, make sure you leave a comment and take part in our poll below:

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

During a recent interview with Christopher Dring of The Game Business, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick was asked a question about in-game advertising. Specifically, Chris asked, “Do you see an opportunity for advertising in the PC and Console space?”

“For free-to-play titles, yes,” he says. “For titles for which you’ve paid 70 or 80 bucks? No. We have some limited advertising inside games like NBA 2K because it fits with the vernacular. You want to see advertising in a stadium, because you would if you were there in real life. But that’s not a big economic contributor.”

Later adding, “It’s difficult for me to believe that we would want to have interstitial advertising in a game that someone paid 70 or 80 bucks for. It would seem unfair.”

Combing through their catalog, all recent releases like Borderlands 4, NBA 2K26, and WWE 2K26 all launched at the respective price of $69.99. In the past, it’s been ‘teased’ that the future of video games could reach $80, or even a $100 in the case of GTA VI.

Nintendo has started in on the $80 pricing with some of their first-party games, while companies like Microsoft announced Outer Worlds 2 would reach that price point before backing down due to backlash.

Given Strauss's comments, it seems GTA VI won’t be in the $100 bracket; it's likely to land in the $70 to $80 range. Potentially launching as their first $80 game.

I have no doubt that GTA VI will launch with several editions. We’ll likely see Deluxe, Premium, Collector’s, Legendary, Gansta, Vice City Vice, Heist Master, Wanted Level: Maximum, 6-Star Survivor, and so on and so forth. If there’s ever been an edition, Grand Theft Auto 6 will have it.

We know there will be millions of people willing to shell out more to have more when it comes to GTA. Whether it be single-player bonuses or multiplayer, if the Grand Theft Auto VI base edition launches for less than $100, plenty will still spend far more for the better in-game titles or cosmetics that the game launches with.

I think, given Strauss's comments, we'll see GTA VI launch at a price between $70 and $80, nowhere near the $100 we feared for the past year. As I said, plenty of you will buy the $100 edition anyway, even the $240 dollar version with fake gold chains.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Google’s Genie 3 reveal sent a shockwave through the gaming industry this week, triggering a sudden dip in major gaming stocks as investors scrambled to make sense of what AI‑generated games could mean for the future. The tech looks impressive — but the market reaction might say more about investor anxiety than actual industry risk.

Gaming has always been a sort of bubble, so to speak. People within the bubble sometimes blow it up, and sometimes, seem to let the bubble collapse. However, like all bubbles, they can be popped from the outside as well. Right now, that’s exactly what’s happening across the gaming industry.

Only hours after Google’s Genie 3.0 was released, stocks across the gaming sphere began to plummet as retail investors who know little to nothing about actual game development panicked and sold before the inevitability of AI games takes over. But that’s just it, the release of Genie 3.0 is all but that, and if anything, it is just something cool to look at rather than any real threat.

Genie 3.0 can, as Google puts it, "Given a text prompt, Genie 3 can generate dynamic worlds that you can navigate in real time at 24 frames per second, retaining consistency for a few minutes at a resolution of 720p."

24 frames a second sounds super cinematic. Plus, 720p for a few minutes?! I'm sorry, but what exactly are we freaking out about here?

Google's Genie 3.0 is not the end of game development

Watching the trailer, it's clear that Genie 3.0 is a captivating tool with loads of potential that extends well beyond gaming. Real-time world generation that is both materialized and interactable in real-time.

What this means for the future of gaming is unknown, and that’s what seems to be terrifying investors the most. With a tool like this, can a single person go on to make the next Grand Theft Auto, Fallout, or Elder Scrolls game? Well, not yet, that's for sure.

But that’s the thing, that’s what horrifies investors at the moment, that these large companies will be undone by the simplicity that a tool like Genie 3.0 provides. They don’t see it as a tool they will use because gamers are too busy screaming at the top of their lungs over even the most realistic use cases for AI.

What’s a gaming company to do when gamers tell AI off, but investors become squemish over the existence of it to begin with? That’s a vice I would never want to be caught in, but that’s what companies like Take-Two, Tencent, Ubisoft (well, they have some other issues), and even Capcom.

Tencent and Take-Two both saw dips today, with Take-Two losing nearly 8% and over $ 3.5 billion in valuation. All of that while only being 10 months away from releasing what many consider to be the largest, most-hyped game in gaming history.

Hopefully, stocks like Sega are showing that this is just a frenzy for nothing, as Sega closed just a hair above where it started today, with a 0.65% increase. With this news coming on a Monday, we’ll have to wait over the weekend before we see any real movement again, but from gamers and the world alike, people are calling this what it is: panic.

Who wants to play a crappy version of a beloved classic? Gaming AI sucks. Even more so, let’s think about the media we already have, where AI has already gotten a lot better than what’s presented. Have people stopped watching human-made YouTube videos? Has the population stopped watching movies? Have people stopped playing games made by actual people?

Paul Tassi with Forbes commented on a clear 1:1 copy of Dark Souls 3, “Computer, make me a shitty Dark Souls.” He’s absolutely right. The only functioning “games” I’ve seen people make have been direct copies of IPs already in existence, as if people weren’t already teetering on the edge with copyright laws today.

NikTek said it best, “DDR5 RAM now costs 800$ and SSDs cost $400 just for people to generate seconds of playable AI slop that has a latency of 1 second.” He couldn’t be more right.

I sit here writing from my recently built gaming PC, literally days before RAM prices increased. While AI technology is cool and all, the idea that it will wholesale replace gaming in the immediate or near future is lunacy. This technology is nowhere near ready enough to take over the world of gaming, and even if it did get to that point, is that what people want?

Even if it is, is that truly viable? Look at the world’s RAM shortage. I don’t think that’s something that’s going to get solved overnight. We don’t have the capacity to suddenly run millions of AI games at once, which is why Google Genie 3.0 is limited.

Then there’s the issue of power. As AI models continue to improve in capability and output, we’ve had to increase the power required to run them. As time goes on, better AI means greater power usage for ever-decreasing returns. This isn’t sustainable.

All of this to say that these questions and many others I haven’t even touched will be at the forefront of conversations for years, if not decades to come. For right now, let’s settle down a little bit.

Genie 3 is clearly powerful, but whether it represents a genuine threat or just another AI‑fueled market wobble is far from settled. The gaming industry has weathered plenty of “disruptive” tech cycles before, and this one may end up being more hype than hazard. Still, the reaction shows just how sensitive investors have become to anything with an AI label.

What matters now is how developers, publishers, and players respond — because that will determine whether Genie 3 becomes a turning point or just another headline.

Google shows off Genie 3, and suddenly, investors act like the entire gaming industry is about to be replaced by AI overnight. Stocks dipped fast — but is this genuine concern or just another hype‑driven overreaction?

Curious where you stand. Is Genie 3 a real threat to traditional game development, or is Wall Street just chasing buzzwords again? Drop your thoughts below.

A report indicates that an explosion has occurred at the Rockstar North building in Edinburgh, with fire crews attending the scene. Early information suggests the incident is linked to a boiler.

The incident occurred at 5:02am on January 19, 2026. At the time of writing, there are no reports of deaths or injuries.

As the situation is still developing, it remains unclear whether the incident will have any impact on GTA 6’s development.

Emergency have services responded to Rockstar North

An emergency call was made at 5.02am on Holyrood Road in Edinburgh, prompting a response from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Police also attended the scene and cordoned off the area surrounding the Rockstar North building while the incident was investigated.

Early reports suggest the incident was linked to an explosion in a boiler room inside the building. Emergency crews remained on site for several hours before later leaving the scene.

Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities have been reported as a result of the incident, and as of 9.21am UK time, responders have left the scene.

A spokesperson for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SRFS) said:

Will GTA 6 be impacted?

It remains unclear whether the development of GTA 6 will be affected by the incident, though Rockstar has faced internal controversy in recent years. This has included staff being dismissed following leaks related to the upcoming title.

The Rockstar North offices affected by the explosion are also the studio previously linked to unionisation efforts and workplace disputes. Staff have staged protests outside the Edinburgh office, and there have been allegations that some layoffs were connected to union activity, claims Rockstar has denied.

However, this studio is not believed to be directly linked to the internal leaks that led to staff being dismissed for breaching confidentiality, which were handled elsewhere within Rockstar Games.

GTA 6 has already been delayed twice, and is currently slated to launch on November 19, 2026. If it does hit that date, there's absolutely no doubt that even in such a short time, it will end the year as one of, if not the biggest releases.

There hasn't been a game in recent memory that has generated as much hype as GTA 6, not least because it will have been 13 years (if it hits the currently planned release date) since GTA V launched. The current game remains one of the most played every year, so it doesn't take a lot to expect GTA 6 to become one of the all-time winners.

That's even considering a PC launch currently hasn't been confirmed.

Do you think this incident could have any impact on GTA 6’s development, or will production continue as planned? Share your thoughts in the comments and make to take part in our poll below:

Rockstar keeps delaying the free RDR upgrade for Xbox players from r/xbox

Original article:

On November 13, Rockstar Games announced that it would release a remaster of the original Red Dead Redemption for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and mobile devices on December 2, 2025.

Well, that time has come, as the Red Dead Redemption Remaster is now available to purchase and download on the Xbox Store and the other platforms' respective digital stores.

However, if you already own the original digital Xbox 360 copy of Red Dead Redemption, you are allowed to upgrade it to its next-gen remaster for free without having to buy it again.

Red Dead Redemption is an open-world action-adventure game originally released in 2010 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

You play as John Marston, a former outlaw whose wife and son have been taken hostage by the government, and is now being forced by them to hunt down his former gang if he hopes to see his family again.

It's considered by critics and fans to be one of Rockstar Games' finest titles for its deep open-world exploration and gunplay, immersive setting that recreates the final days of the Old West, and engrossing story filled with themes of revenge, the American Dream, and redemption.

It went on to win several Game of the Year Awards, ship over 25 million copies, and have a sequel called Red Dead Redemption II for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC (which we gave a perfect 5/5 review for the Xbox version and a 4/5 review for the PC version).

However, some users are discovering that accessing the upgrade still isn't working.

Rockstar has acknowledged that there are issues for some users with redemption of Red Dead Redemption (heh) on Xbox, and is currently working on a fix. If you can't access the upgrade for free, when hitting this link while signed into your Xbox account, you may be affected by the bug.

The Remastered version of Red Dead Redemption will include the original game with all its DLC and several upgrades like 4K resolution, HDR support, enhanced image quality, and a 60fps boost.

Additionally, owners of the original game will be able to carry over their save data to the remastered edition, so they don't have to start from scratch.

The Red Dead Redemption Remaster and its sequel are available to purchase and download digitally from the Xbox Store, PSN Store, and PC via Steam.

You can see if Red Dead Redemption Remaster is working for you as a free download on Xbox via this link. Some of our staff were able to upgrade, but others weren't able. Let us know if you were able to in the comments, and we'll update this article with info from Rockstar ASAP.

Rockstar Games has been all the talk lately. Whether it's the latest delay of its upcoming game, Grand Theft Auto VI, or the rumored union busting it's been doing. Either way, it's all been bad news for the company.

Now, coming to the forefront, is another rumor that seems to confirm the validity of the union busting we reported on a couple of days ago.

This time, the news comes straight from a supposed employee who has been verified by the people running GTAForums.com.

Anonymously, as though the employee could do anything but post anonymously for fear of losing their job, they posted,

"Hey everyone, R* Employee of many years here!

I've been reading a lot of the discussion on here and elsewhere about the firing of more than 34 of my colleagues last week (31 in the UK + 3 in Canada), and have seen a lot of disinformation and lies that are really concerning. Particularly concerning how so many folk are willing to believe the Company's excuses."

In a later post, the employee was verified by an administrator of the site, Spider-Vice, who is one of the most senior staff members on GTA Forums.

The employee continued, "Last week, my colleagues who were in the studio were each individually messaged by HR for a short, friendly meeting, under the friendly guise of 'Hey, are you free for a quick chat?' Upon attending this meeting, they were handed an envelope with a short letter stating that their employment had been terminated for "gross misconduct" regarding posts made in Discord.

They failed to provide any evidence when asked, nor was any stated in the letter. And did not divulge any other information or reasoning - 'and no other reason'. They refused their right to Union representation in the disciplinary meeting (which is against UK employment law) and were frogmarched out of the studio with the meeting lasting less than 5 minutes."

Sounds rather damning when laid out in such a straightforward fashion. Looking into UK law, as outlined in Section 10 of the Employment Relations Act 1999, workers are indeed entitled to representation during hearings that could result in disciplinary action, warnings, or dismissal. However, for the sake of accuracy, these employees were not yet part of a union.

Instead, there have been ongoing efforts by the UK-based employees who were fired to form a union through the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB). This, without a doubt, is very illegal in the United Kingdom.

The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act of 1992 outlines this very outcome.

For purposes of (unfair dismissal), the dismissal of an employee shall be regarded as unfair if the reason for it (or, if more than one, the principal reason) was that the employee was, or proposed to become, a member of an independent trade union or had taken part, or proposed to take part, in the activities of an independent trade union at an appropriate time.

Make no mistake, if what this employee says is true, Rockstar Games is in for a lawsuit. However, even if this may look like a slam-dunk case on the surface, larger companies like Rockstar Games can bully these individuals in court with their massive corporate backing.

With all the money in the world, companies can delay dates and become a general nuisance, to the point that even class-action-sized lawsuits can run low on steam. To the point, they may have to give up the endeavor. Whatever the case, it's unclear whether Rockstar Games believes it can win this sort of thing in court, or if it believes even the potential loss will still help prevent future employees from unionizing.

With others in the field, like Microsoft, allowing massive unionization efforts within their companies, like Zenimax, the timing for Rockstar Games couldn't be worse. As to why Rockstar would think that stopping a few employees from forming a union at this time — only 12 months before the release of Grand Theft Auto VI — would be beneficial, it baffles me.

Given that Grand Theft Auto V has managed to make somewhere around $9 billion, I can't imagine they'll be strapped for cash when it comes to the release of GTA VI. Now, granted, the rumored cost to develop GTA VI is somewhere between $1 and $2 billion, but it's estimated that the sequel will make that back in days. Some even estimate $7.6 billion in the first 60 days.

Does Rockstar Games really need to hold onto that extra money they'd save from not having unionized workers? In the opinion of this lowly IT worker who also just happens to write news articles about the video games industry, hell no.

Rockstar Games, in all its glory, is hilariously becoming a mockery of the very companies its video games tend to make fun of. I even remember a union-busting mission in Grand Theft Auto IV, where the protagonist Niko takes on a group of union workers who are preventing scabs from getting to work.

Yes, Rockstar Games is now living out the very missions they created over a decade ago. If that's not irony, I don't know what is.

What's your take on this whole situation? Do you think Rockstar Games is right, or the employees? Let us know below or on social media. I'm sure this will be a pleasant discussion with no one living the "defend the billion-dollar company" meme.

FAQs

Players looking forward to Rockstar Games' next open-world crime blockbuster will be waiting a fair bit longer. The developer shared on Thursday via X (formerly Twitter) that Grand Theft Auto 6 is being delayed to Nov. 22, 2026.

"We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve," the developer statement reads.

Notably, this is the second time the game has been publicly delayed, with Grand Theft Auto 6 first being pushed out of Fall 2025 to May 26, 2026.

In a call accompanying the financial results of Rockstar Games' parent company Take-Two Interactive, CEO Strauss Zelnick said the delay was driven by the desire to deliver as "perfect" a product as possible.

Grand Theft Auto 6 follows two protagonists, Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval, who struggle through the criminal underworld of Vice City (read: Miama) in the state of Leonida (read: Florida).

As one of the last major developers still eschewing day one Windows PC releases, Rockstar Games has previously confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 will be launching on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.

Other game developers will be taking note

With Grand Theft Auto 6 moving to a new date, a large number of game developers will be breathing huge sighs of relief, while others are inventing new forms of profanity not previously imagined.

I wouldn't be surprised if any smaller or mid-size games targetting the fall are going to be delayed into early 2027 at this point. There might even be discussions around larger games being moved around, or possibly launching earlier than intended if it's somehow possible.

Several major games slated to arrive in 2026 do not have release dates, including PlayStation Studios and Insomniac Games' Marvel's Wolverine, as well as multiple Xbox Game Studios titles such as Halo Studios' Halo: Campaign Evolved and Playground Games' Fable.

As Rockstar works toward a new date, the company is accused of violating labor rights

This also comes as Rockstar Games has recently been accused of union-busting, with the developer firing 30 to 40 employees that the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) says were discussing unionization in a Discord group chat.

Rockstar Games' parent company Take-Two Interactive has backed the developer, saying that the employees were fired for "gross misconduct."

In a later statement, a Rockstar games spokesperson told Bloomberg that the terminated employees were leaking sensitive information.

“Last week, we took action against a small number of individuals who were found to be distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum, a violation of our company policies,” the spokesperson said. “This was in no way related to people’s right to join a union or engage in union activities.”

FAQ

Rockstar Games, developer of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6, is being accused of union-busting. A report from Bloomberg notes that Rockstar Games fired between 30 and 40 employees last week across the U.K. and Canada.

Per a comment from the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), the employees were all discussing unionization in a Discord group chat.

“Rockstar has just carried out one of the most blatant and ruthless acts of union busting in the history of the games industry,” says Alex Marshall, president of the IWGB. “This flagrant contempt for the law and for the lives of the workers who bring in their billions is an insult to their fans and the global industry.”

Rockstar Games' parent company, Take-Two Interactive, provided a comment to Bloomberg, saying that the firings were for "gross misconduct" only, adding that Take-Two supports Rockstar's actions.

On Tuesday, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) commented on the situation, noting that the union stands in solidarity with IWGB.

After being delayed out of 2024, Grand Theft Auto 6 is currently slated to launch on May 26, 2026, across Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.

Unionization in the gaming industry is growing, but has a ways to go

Unionization efforts are slowly but steadily growing across the gaming industry, with several new unions forming across studios in North America, particularly at Microsoft-owned companies across the Xbox division.

Blizzard Entertainment in particular has seen a tremendous amount of organization, with unions forming across the World of Warcraft, Overwatch 2, Story and Franchise Development, Diablo, Battle.net, and Hearthstone teams.

Other major unions across other parts of Microsoft's gaming business include (but are not limited to) Activision QA, Bethesda Game Studios, ZeniMax Online Studios, and many others.

These teams are now working to ratify a contract. Some other unions under Microsoft, such as the ZeniMax QA team, have already worked out a contract.

FAQ

Today is the last day of this week's lengthy Amazon Prime Day sales event, and that means it's also the last day to take advantage of its excellent deals on popular games for Xbox, PC, and other platforms. In these final hours of the annual sale, though, I stumbled across a steep discount on the Ultimate Edition of Red Dead Redemption 2 that's even better than Amazon's — a true "anti-Prime Day" deal that knocks the price from $100 to just $18.39 at CDKeys.

If you have a capable gaming PC to use, that's the most affordable way to dive into Rockstar Games' beloved open-world action-adventure. It's a deal so good that it feels like highway robbery to pull the trigger on, but you'd better do so ASAP if you're interested; once Prime Day ends tonight, there's no telling how long it'll last.

This deal seems too good to be true — but it's real

In any discussion about the best games ever made, Red Dead Redemption 2 is one that's all-but-guaranteed to get some passionate mentions. The 2018 Rockstar Games title won countless awards and accolades and was a worldwide hit, and also accrued well over 200 perfect review scores.

Notably, one of them came from our review, in which we gave it 5/5 stars and called the game a "Wild West masterpiece" that "represents a generational leap for the gaming industry" and "almost feels beyond the standard definition of a 'game,' bordering on raw simulation."

Indeed, Red Dead Redemption 2 is something of a sim, with nearly every step of the open-world adventure giving players a system, mechanic, or NPC to interact with in some way. At times, I honestly think the game goes too far with its prompting, but I can't deny that even seven years later, it's also more engaging than most titles in the genre as a result of it.

Another huge draw of Red Dead Redemption 2 is the game's story, which I can confidently say is both Rockstar's best and one of the most beautifully written narratives in all of gaming. Brimming with heart, character, and emotion, it's set in 1899 — 12 years before the events of the original Red Dead Redemption — it puts you in the boots of Arthur Morgan, an outlaw in the Van der Linde gang.

As Arthur, you'll be forced to rob and fight alongside the rest of the gang's members as lawmen and bounty hunters close in in the twilight of America's Wild West era in environments inspired by the United States' West, Midwest, and Southern regions. The heart of the story revolves around Arthur being forced to grapple with his values and his loyalty to the gang, with the two coming into escalating conflict as the narrative progresses.

No spoilers here, but it's simply phenomenal — an epic tale supplemented by several pieces of extra story content included with the Ultimate Edition, along with an innumerable number of side quests and activities to engage with while exploring the open world. Notably, the Ultimate Edition also includes several exclusive outfits in both the single-player Story Mode and the Red Dead Online multiplayer experience, along with some minor gameplay buffs to Arthur in the former to make him more effective in combat.

All in all, Red Dead Redemption 2 is nothing less than a triumph, and a must-play title to check out while we're all waiting for Rockstar to release Grand Theft Auto 6. Note that if you're on Xbox, you can get the Ultimate Edition for just $20 at Amazon while Prime Day is active, with the Standard Edition only $15 at Amazon. The Standard Edition is also just $14.29 at CDKeys on PC, though I strongly recommend spending a few dollars extra to get the Ultimate Edition deal I've spotlighted here.

A moment that gamers in Saudi Arabia may have thought would never arrive, has finally arrived. Almost, anyway.

Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) has, until now, not been officially rated and allowed for sale in Saudi Arabia due to the content of the game. In a sign of changing times, that's now changed, and GTA V will be available on July 17.

The news was revealed by the General Authority of Media Regulation in Saudi Arabia (via RockstarINTEL).

Roughly translated, the post above reads:

Enjoy the experience of the famous game Grand Theft Auto V & Grand Theft Auto Online, rated 21 and above. Officially available in Saudi markets on July 17, 2025. Ensure the game is suitable for your age group. #GameRating General Authority for #MediaRegulation.

A 21+ rating is the highest age limit that could be applied, which isn't surprising, since it's very much an adult game for adults. Grand Theft Auto always has been.

A member of the video game team at the General Authority of Media Regulation in Saudi Arabia also posted on X his own delight at what was once "nearly impossible."

In addition, PlayStation's social media account for the Middle East has confirmed GTA V has also been rated for release in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and will launch the same day.

What we don't know is whether the game will be censored in any way. It's likely, at the very least, that the Casino in GTA Online may be omitted.

I'm not here to talk about Saudi Arabia and its rules, they are what they are, whether we, in the west, agree with them or not. But it's also clear that the Saudis have been growing more open to western entertainment in recent years.

F1 has an annual race there, WWE has a massive contract to host live events there, we regularly see big boxing matches there, too. There's also the Esports World Cup, a massive professional gaming event that features the top players from a host of titles, including Call of Duty, Valorant, PUBG, and Counter Strike 2.

Such events, like the idea of GTA V being on sale, were unthinkable not that long ago. The winner is the people. The gamers.

It also points toward a positive outlook for the region in regard to GTA 6. Whether the region can expect to see it alongside the rest of the world is a question still to answer. But with its predecessor finally getting the all clear, the signs are better than ever.

Just days ago, Rockstar Games relieved the blood pressure of roughly half the world's game developers, while raising the other half with the news that Grand Theft Auto 6 was delayed to May 26, 2026.

Rockstar Games let loose again on Tuesday, suddenly dropping the second official trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6, which you can check out above.

Grand Theft Auto 6 follows two protagonists, Jason and Lucia, who are making a name for themselves in Vice City, highlight of the state of Leonida, which are of course thinly-veiled representations of Miami and Florida in the U.S.

According to the trailer description, Jason and Lucia find themselves in trouble when a supposed "easy score" goes wrong, setting the stage for disaster as they try to survive.

Rockstar's official website also lists numerous additional details on the game, including supporting characters like Raul, a bank robber.

While it was originally slated to launch later in Fall 2025, Rockstar Games made the decision to push the next entry in its juggernaut open world series to 2026, a decision reportedly made in order to ensure the development team avoids serious crunch.

Rockstar's parent company Take-Two Interactive saw its stock dip on news of the delay, with CEO Strauss Zelnick assuring investors that the company had full confidence in the developers.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated to launch on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, with no Windows PC version coming just yet.

Traditionally, Rockstar Games is one of the few major developers that aggressively targets console launches first, bringing its games to console platforms before later having a PC port, which is what happened with 2013's Grand Theft Auto 5 and 2018's Red Dead Redemption 2.

As the wildly unpopular announcement of Rockstar Games delaying Grand Theft Auto VI from 2025 until mid-2026 came earlier this morning, shares for Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), its parent company, fell by 10% in pre-market trading (via FT).

At the time of writing, Take Two stock rests at -8.92% and almost appeared to be crawling steadily upwards before that, offsetting some of the shocking drop, but it didn't last. The decision wasn't a surprise to the parties involved, as evidenced by Take-Two's press release that came alongside Rockstar Games' announcement, and its CEO offered some reassurance.

Grand Theft Auto VI was originally revealed with its first trailer on December 4, 2023, and developers at Rockstar Games targeted a vague "2025" release window, which moved closer to a plan for the Fall of 2025.

Now, the blockbuster sequel, perhaps one of the most anticipated games of all time, has been pushed back to May 26, 2026, at the earliest.

Take-Two financial results are incoming

Take-Two references the incredible hype around the game in its press statement, but seems to remain confident that the game will be a success:

“While we take the movement of our titles seriously and appreciate the vast and deep global anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI, we remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence."

How much this delay could affect the publisher and, in turn, development teams at Rockstar Games in terms of a dollar value isn't certain, but Take-Two"plans to report its financial results for the fourth quarter and Fiscal 2025, after the market close on Thursday, May 15, 2025", so that will be the earliest opportunity to hear more on the financial effects.

Either way, gaming audiences are expressing a mix of emotions across social media after hearing the news of the GTA 6 delay. Personally, I'm not sure that the game could possibly live up to the immense immersion that its die-hard fans have come to expect, and I'm not particularly excited for Grand Theft Auto 6.

Maybe some extra time in the oven will help build some extra content to appeal to me, but I can't imagine this delay was a popular move behind the scenes at Take-Two. At least other developers in the industry can sigh a relief for their titles launching in late 2025.. but probably not those who Take-Two also owns.

I'll be watching for Take-Two's financial results later this month.

GTA 6 has been delayed.

That's it, that's the news. A collective tear is being shed by millions upon millions of gamers all around the world.

It's not a prank, it's real. Here's the announcement made by Rockstar Games on X.

Is this disappointing? Absolutely. But it's totally fine. If there is any game on the planet that can take all the time it needs, it's this one. May 2026 isn't that far away anyway, is it?

GTA 6 is arguably the most hotly anticipated game release in history. Its predecessor is only behind Minecraft and Tetris in terms of units sold. GTA is more than just popular.

If there's any frustration to be had from fans, then you could argue the lack of any information between the debut trailer and this news would be the cause. All has been dark as we entered what we'd assumed was still the release year.

Rockstar's statement undersells the interest in this game. GTA 6 will be the event of, now, 2026. We hope. But they have to get it right, so it's fair they take their time.

Apparently Rockstar is going to share more information "soon," but based on what we've had so far, that really could be any time within the next 12 months.

So it's another year (from now, anyway) of GTA 5 for fans of the series. But at least you can play it on Xbox Game Pass now as well!

According to a new report, the PC market is the only one that has seen revenue growth over the last few years (via Newzoo). Consoles, while in decline, aren't out just yet.

There's a pseudo-exclusive coming to the console platform in the next couple of years. You might have heard of it; something called Grand Theft Auto 6 — could it be the savior?

According to this recent analysis, consoles declined by 2.1%, while Windows PC grew by 1.2% over the same time frame. It also states that GTA 6 will help consoles overtake PC by a significant margin.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is the next "winter is coming"

Grand Theft Auto 6 has become, without a doubt, the most hyped game in history. I've never seen this kind of excitement surrounding the release of a game.

Even industries beyond gaming, including Netflix, TikTok, and YouTube, are facing the peril of the juggernaut that GTA 6 is looking to be. There are only so many hours someone can devote at any one time.

If you're too busy with Grand Theft Auto 6, when are you going to doom-scroll TikTok or binge Netflix? Unless you're one of those people who dual-wields TikTok and gaming at the same time (shame on your Skibidi brain rot), you'll be locked in on GTA.

Grand Theft Auto 6 looks to save console gaming revenue

With that said, there's only one subset of platforms players will be playing on when Grand Theft Auto launches: console. Windows PC players are going to be the ones keeping YouTube alive as they watch console players plunging into the rumored two-billion-dollar creation.

If you're like some of my friends, you'll be dusting off your consoles or even running out to buy one just to play GTA 6 at launch. FOMO is real, and since Rockstar Games takes at least a year to port its games from console to PC, there are going to be thousands, if not millions, of players who won't have the patience to wait.

In turn, console revenue will see a rise. Game sales, hardware sales, online gaming subscriptions, and the inevitable Shark Card 2.0 will ravage the wallets of gamers looking to play the literal next big thing, if not the biggest of 2025.

To see just how serious an impact Grand Theft Auto 6 might have, let's look at the overall revenue GTA 5 has made. From the launch in September 2013 to the end of 2024, GTA 5 has made $9.54 billion (via TweakTown).

Dicing that up, that's $77 million monthly or $923 million yearly. Given the overall life of GTA 5, it's safe to assume that it was making over a billion dollars a year at one point.

Even if GTA 6 only matches that, it's a billion dollars exclusively from game and microtransaction sales. If you're new to the platform, you'll most likely subscribe to Game Pass or PlayStation Plus. Returning console players will re-subscribe.

The most likely outcome is that GTA 6 breaks every record we've ever seen and boosts revenue well beyond the high GTA 5 experienced. Suddenly, that $5 billion increase that Newzoo is estimating makes more sense.

I don't know about you, but I'm just happy to have an Xbox Series X. Even though I've moved on to play the majority of my games on PC through the Xbox app or Steam, I'll be spending a lot of time planted in front of my TV.

Let's just hope it doesn't cost $100 — thanks, Nintendo.

What do you think? Will Grand Theft Auto 6 cause upheaval in the gaming industry? Let me know your take below. I'm curious what everyone else thinks will happen.

Original story:

2025 is, we hope, the year of GTA 6. But its predecessor, GTA 5, is still going strong, and this latest report suggests that it will be making a return to Xbox Game Pass.

The news comes via @videotechuk_ on X, a trusted source of Rockstar news, informing that the company has been seeding information on the return of GTA 5 to Game Pass.

GTA 5 is no stranger to Xbox Game Pass, having had previous stints on the service. The last was a couple of years ago, but there's a key difference this time around.

For one, last time GTA 5 was on Game Pass, it was only the console version, with the Xbox One and Series X|S upgraded versions available. This time around, PC Game Pass has been name-dropped, which is big.

But it doesn't end there, either.

Assuming this report turns out to be true, folks will be able to play GTA 5 anywhere, anytime, through console, PC, and cloud, all thanks to Xbox Game Pass.

Microsoft has recently released its list of upcoming Game Pass titles, including Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition, and South of Midnight, but no mention of GTA 5. That said, Rockstar's flagship franchise is such a huge deal, nobody could argue it isn't worthy of a dedicated announcement.

There's also a bigger picture, in that GTA 5 isn't currently available on PC through the Microsoft Store. For it to come on PC Game Pass, that will have to happen, and looking even further afield, it could signal good things before GTA 6.

The long awaited sequel will, as current information stands, be launching only on Xbox Series X|S and PS5. It's unfathomable that Rockstar would skip PC for such a monumental release, but it tracks with the company's previous record for releasing GTA later on PC.

Indeed, the PC version only just got the enhanced upgrade that was released to consoles what feels like an eternity ago. But maybe, just maybe, when GTA 6 does hit PC, Microsoft will be selling it, too.

Not a day goes by where millions of gamers around the world don't hope that today is the day. The day that we finally get a second trailer for GTA 6. Today is not that day.

Rockstar has pushed a trailer out on its social media channels, but it's not for GTA 6 and if I didn't tell you, I'm positive you wouldn't guess what it was for.

I'll just embed the post, and you can see for yourself.

That's right. It's for a movie. Nothing Rockstar is even involved in (that I'm aware of, anyway.) Don't get me wrong, I love me some Danny Dyer, and I'll probably go and see this movie because it's ridiculous and will make me laugh.

But seriously, is this any more than a massive troll by Rockstar?! The world is quite literally twitching waiting on a new trailer for GTA 6 as if they were an addict that might be featured in such a movie. They know that, and apparently they're really enjoying it.

At least the replies, well, some of them, are pretty hilarious.

But seriously, when are we getting another GTA 6 trailer?

Unfortunately, when we're getting another trailer is a question without an answer. But it'll surely break the internet when it does finally drop.

GTA 6 is arguably the most hotly anticipated game in history. GTA 5 first launched back in 2013, 12 years before GTA 6 if the sequel does arrive later this year. 12 years in gaming is a lifetime.

In that time we've seen an upgraded version for Xbox One and PS4, another upgrade for Xbox Series X|S and PS5, and now finally, that upgraded version has made it to PC. GTA 5 is one of the all-time bestsellers, having eclipsed 200 million copies sold to date, and the sequel will probably break that.

Only Minecraft and Tetris are reported to have sold more than GTA 5. This franchise is more than a big deal. It's the big deal.

The truth is, Rockstar doesn't need to do anything. GTA 6 could shadow drop and it would be an immediate success. It markets itself, and the absence of any new information in over a year just adds to the fever pitch.

I'm sure we will get another trailer. I think. But I'm buying the game day one regardless. GTA 5 was the last big release I lined up at midnight for, back in the days when we'd do that. A lot has changed in the years since, but my love of the franchise has not. For now, I guess I'll go and see Marching Powder, but not because Rockstar said I should. Promise.

Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 6 is still scheduled to launch at some point in Fall 2025, according to the latest comments from Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick.

As part of the company's Q3 2025 financial results, Zelnick reiterated the Fall 2025 release window for Grand Theft Auto 6, though he didn't provide any other details on the timing of the game's launch.

“Looking ahead, this calendar year is shaping up to be one of the strongest ever for Take-Two, as we plan to launch Sid Meier’s Civilization VII on February 11th, Mafia: The Old Country in the Summer, Grand Theft Auto VI in the Fall, and Borderlands 4," Zelnick says. "We continue to invest prudently in our development pipeline and remain confident in Zynga’s potential to create new mobile forever franchises as demonstrated by their ongoing success with Match Factory."

Take-Two Interactive's financial results also confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 5 has sold over 210 million copies, continuing to firmly cement its position as the second best-selling game of all time. Meanwhile, Rockstar's other tentpole Red Dead Redemption 2 has crossed 70 million copies sold.

During the conference call accompanying the earnings, Take-Two Interactive also revealed that preorders for Civilization VII reached a record for the franchise. Overall, Take-Two Interactive saw $1.37 billion in net bookings for the quarter.

The world watches, holding its breath

To say the world wants to know when Grand Theft Auto 6 will arrive would be a titanic understatement. The entire gaming industry is currently curious, as the launch of this game will be an iceberg for every other company to steer clear of. Whenever I talk with developers and publishing staff right now, the question that inevitably comes up is "So, do you think Grand Theft Auto really makes it out this year?"

When I was discussing trends for gaming in 2025 at the start of the year, I noted that Grand Theft Auto 6 was one of the only games that could peel players away from the existing "black hole" titles, as well as being a game that can get last-generation players still using a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One to actually buy new gaming hardware. Grand Theft Auto 6 releasing this year (or not) will have massive ramifications in every possible way.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is currently planned to launch on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.

What you need to know

• Red Dead Redemption first launched all the way back in 2010 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
• The game is playable on Xbox Series X|S consoles through backward compatibility, and it was ported to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in 2023. 
• Red Dead Redemption is finally coming to Windows PC on Oct. 29, 2024. 
• This new version includes the Undead Nightmare expansion, and also includes support for PC features like 144hz, adjustable draw distance, and more.

It's finally happening. 

Red Dead Redemption is heading to Windows PC on October 29, developer Rockstar Games shared on Tuesday. This long-awaited port, crafted in collaboration with support studio Double Eleven, includes the Undead Nightmare expansion, which is fitting for how close it's launching to Halloween. 

This port of Red Dead Redemption also offers support for specific PC features like 144hz, ultrawide monitors, adjustable shadows and draw distance, AMD FSR, NVIDIA DLSS 3.7, frame generation, and more. It'll be available across Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Rockstar Store. You can check out the reveal trailer for the port below:

A story of the dying Wild West, Red Dead Redemption stars former outlaw John Marston, who is enlisted to take down the last fugitives of the Van der Linde gang. Red Dead Redemption is set after the events of its 2018 sequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, which was brought to PC in 2020.

Red Dead Redemption has had a long road to get here, with the game first launching all the way back in 2010 across Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles through backward compatibility, Rockstar Games brought a port to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch last year. 

Looking ahead, Rockstar Games is currently slated to launch the widely-anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 in Fall 2025. That game will be launching on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, with no PC version currently announced. Following the studio's prior work, the PC version will likely launch in 2026 or 2027.

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What you need to know

• Grand Theft Auto 6, or GTA 6, was first officially unveiled with a 90-second trailer in December 2023. 
• The trailer came alongside a release year of 2025, as well as the news the game would launch on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.
• During Take-Two Interactive's latest financial results, the company confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled to arrive in Fall 2025.

We've now got a rough idea for when Rockstar Games' next big experience will be arriving. 

As part of its financial results for Q4 2024, Rockstar Games parent company Take-Two Interactive shared that Grand Theft Auto 6 is now slated to arrive in Fall 2025. This comes after prior confirmation the game was targeting 2025, which was revealed alongside the reveal trailer back in December 2023.

In traditional Rockstar Games fashion, Grand Theft Auto 6 is launching on consoles first, with Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 versions confirmed to be in development. There's been no mention of when the game will arrive on Windows PC, but going by Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, it'll probably be around a year after the console launch.

Take-Two Interactive reports strong revenue amid big cuts

Take-Two Interactive reported strong earnings for the quarter, with net bookings of $1.3 billion. Grand Theft Auto 5 has crossed a massive milestone, reaching 200 million copies sold. Meanwhile, Red Dead Redemption 2 has reached almost 63 million copies sold. 

The company still saw an overall loss of $2.9 billion for the quarter however, which was primarily driven by a goodwill impairment charge of $2.2 billion ramping up operating expenses for the quarter.

This also comes as Take-Two Interactive has made large cuts to its gaming business, laying off well over 500 workers across different development and publishing teams, as well as closing two internal studios: Roll7 and Intercept Games. This in spite of Take-Two Interactive CEO's prior remarks at the start of the year, which indicated that the company wasn't looking to lay anyone off.

Analysis: Yeah, that's more reasonable

While Take-Two Interactive never officially said it was expecting Grand Theft Auto 6 early in 2025, the company's financial results expectations told a different story. Take-Two Interactive was expecting net bookings of $ billion in fiscal year 2025, a period of time for the company that runs from April 2024 through March 2025, and a leap of a couple billion over a "normal" fiscal year for the company. 

That kind of big leap would only have been possible through big, high-revenue game launches like from a Grand Theft Auto game. 

Still, essentially every title that Rockstar Games has worked on has been delayed, so this (unofficial) delay is totally fine. The team is hard at work, and deserves all the time in the world working on a game that will undoubtedly help to set the bar for a generation of video game entertainment.

What you need to know

• Red Dead Redemption, a third-person open-world Western game, initially launched for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2010.
• Since then, the game has been released as a port or through backward compatibility to consoles, but never PC.
• A new leak through the Rockstar launcher suggests the game may be coming to PC.

Red Dead Redemption holds a special place in my heart, ranking as my all-time favorite game, topping the sequel. I've shared this sentiment with my friends, on social media, in podcasts, and whenever I've been asked about my gaming preferences. This game has framed some of the most memorable moments in my gaming history.

The second installment in the Red Dead series, Red Dead Redemption, delves into the poignant story of John Marston in 1911. As a former gang member striving for a peaceful life, John's world is shattered when the U.S. Government seizes his son and wife. Forced to work as a hired gun and hunt down three of his former gang members, John's journey is a testament to the human longing for redemption, and the lengths one is willing to go to achieve it. Red Dead Redemption is an open-world game that resonates with its players, filled with heart-wrenching decisions, action-packed moments, and unforgettable characters, making it a must-play for any fan of Westerns or great storytelling.

For a long time, the game has only ever been available on consoles. Originally released on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the game has seen some life through various backward compatibility programs to current-gen consoles and Nintendo Switch. Now, things might be changing.

For the first time ever, a self-proclaimed Rockstar reporter, TezFunz2, spotted a hard-coded reference to Red Dead Redemption on PC. He noticed that Rockstar had added some promotional text to their PC Launcher, detailing the story and DLC of the original Red Dead Redemption. 

The body reads, "Journey across the sprawling expanses of the American West and Mexico in Red Dead Redemption, and its zombie-horror companion, Undead Nightmare, now playable on PC."

Oh man, please! Please be true! As I said earlier, the original Red Dead Redemption is an absolute masterclass in storytelling and open-world game design. From the moment the player steps hoof on the frontier, they are led on an unforgettable journey that will leave players clutching their hearts throughout the tale. I cannot wish it harder for more players to get their hands on this game who might have missed it some years ago, in 2010, when it was released.

What this release entails we can only guess. Last year, PlayStation 4 and Switch owners were given the opportunity to play Red Dead Redemption, but it was merely a port of the original game without and significant upgrades other than a boost to 60 FPS. Something Xbox fans received for free through the backwards compatibility program.

While I would welcome some remastering of textures and more, I'd still welcome a port of the original to PC. A replay with 120Hz support and more would be fantastic! I'd also love to get some of my friends in on the action and dominate the West in the online mode if they saw fit to release it as well. Fingers crossed that this becomes a reality soon - I can't wait to saddle up again!

What you need to know

• Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, Private Division, Zynga, and 2K Games, is laying off 5% of its staff. 
• This move affects hundreds of workers, and will also see multiple games canceled. 
• It's not clear right now which studios and teams are being most affected by the cuts. 
• Take-Two Interactive is in the process of purchasing Gearbox Entertainment for $460 million.

It's a day in the year that is 2024, and that means more layoffs in the gaming industry. 

Take-Two Interactive shared on Tuesday that it plans to lay off 5% of its total workforce, per Bloomberg. This move will cut hundreds of employees and some upcoming games canceled. It's not entirely clear at this time which teams will be affected by the cuts or which projects are being canceled. 

Take-Two Interactive is the parent company of multiple gaming divisions, including Rockstar Games — the developers of Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption — and 2K Games, which includes teams suck as Cloud Chamber, Firaxis, and Ghost Story Games. Take-Two Interactive also holds mobile gaming teams at Zynga, and also operates the Private Division publishing label for partnering with independent studios.

As of the end of 2023, Take-Two Interactive employed nearly 9,000 development staff plus additional workers across its various divisions, meaning the cuts will likely affect somewhere around 500 to 600 employees.

How will this affect Take-Two Interactive and its games?

Grand Theft Auto 6, which is slated to launch at some point in 2025 across Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, is obviously not one of the games canceled as part of this move. While it's possible some staff at Rockstar Games could be affected by the cuts, the studio is essentially a one-project publisher, and Grand Theft Auto 6 is so integral to Take-Two's overall strategy that the idea it would be canceled is ludicrous.

As of February 2024, Take-Two Interactive claimed it had dozens of upcoming titles. Of these games, 17 were "immersive core" experiences, such as Judas, which is being developed by Ghost Story Games and coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5 in 2025. Seven upcoming titles were from Private Division, and we now know that the publishing label lost a project in the form of Yellow Brick Games' Eternal Strands, which is now being self-published.

Take-Two also had four upcoming "mid-core" titles, which are meant to be around the scope of something like LEGO 2K Drive. The company also had six "new iterations of existing games" on the way, meaning new ports or remasters of already-released titles. Finally, there were 18 mobile games in development. 

Take-Two Interactive is also in the process of purchasing Borderlands developer Gearbox Entertainment for $460 million, which is confirmed to be working on a new Borderlands game. 

Analysis: Good lord

We've had more layoffs that can be accurately counted this year, with massive cuts from across Embracer Group and Riot Games to Microsoft and Sony. Now, despite having one of the biggest games in the history of the medium on the way for next year, hundreds of employees at Take-Two Interactive will be laid off in the coming months. I hope everyone affected can get back on their feet sooner rather than later.

With that in mind, my first guess at this time is that some mobile games got cut or consolidated. Even for the mobile market, having 18 upcoming games in a two-year time span is a lot. I also wouldn't be surprised to see more unannounced games canceled from Private Division. 

What you need to know

• The first trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 is here. 
• The trailer was originally set to arrive tomorrow, but due to leaks, Rockstar Games launched it early. 
• The trailer confirms the game's Miami-inspired setting in the fictional state of Leonida, with every possible Florida reference and stereotype imaginable. 
• Grand Theft Auto 6 is coming at some point in 2025.

One of the biggest games in history is on the way. 

While Rockstar Games previously planned to reveal Grand Theft Auto 6 with a trailer on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. ET, a heavily-watermarked version leaked, prompting the developer to release the official trailer a bit early. You can check out the trailer below:

“Grand Theft Auto VI continues our efforts to push the limits of what’s possible in highly immersive, story-driven open-world experiences,” said Sam Houser, founder of Rockstar Games, via a press release. “We’re thrilled to be able to share this new vision with players everywhere.”

The press release also notes that Grand Theft Auto 6 is coming to Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 consoles. Curiously, it does not mention Windows PC, indicating that the game may only come to PC with a later port, similar to Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto 5. 

Where is Grand Theft Auto 6 taking place?

As was shared in prior reports, Grand Theft Auto 6 is taking place in Vice City, a thinly-veiled version of Miami, Florida in the USA. That means more alligators, bikinis, and outrageous headlines per square mile than anywhere else on the planet. 

The game has a duo of protagonists in something of a "Bonnie and Clyde" setup, including the first-ever female protagonist in the franchise. 

When in 2025 will Grand Theft Auto 6 launch?

While the vague release window of 2025 could mean anything, we can infer some things about exactly when this game is slated to arrive. Earlier in the year, Rockstar Games parent company Take-Two Interactive shared some projections for fiscal year 2025. For Take-Two, that runs from April 2024 through March 2025. These projections included net bookings projections of $8 billion for the year, around $2.5 billion higher than the prior year. 

As a result, while it's not confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 will be launching early in 2025, it certainly seems likely given that Take-Two expects to make far more money than usual in the aforementioned period of time. All of this doesn't change that the game could be delayed even further, as multiple prior Rockstar Games titles have been delayed well past their original intended release year. 

Analysis: A solid look for a game that's not close

Obviously it's just a 90-second trailer, but from the teaser we've got, the tone certainly seems accurate for Florida. I'm curious about possible gameplay improvements and exactly how the duo-protagonist setup will work, but what I've seen so far has me optimistic. Now the wait begins...

What you need to know

• At long last we have a date for the first trailer of the most anticipated game in history. 
• Rockstar previously told us to expect the first look at the next GTA game in December, and now we know when. 
• Set an alarm for 9 a.m. ET on December 5.

Santa Rockstar is delivering early this year, as gamers across the globe finally have their first concrete details on GTA 6. OK, it's only the exact time and date for the first trailer, and we still don't even know for sure it's called GTA 6. But get ready folks, it's coming. 

So set your alarms, book a day off work, 9 a.m. ET on December 5 you need to be in front of some kind of device with a screen. If there was a day the internet will break, it's going to be December 5. 

What we know so far about GTA 6 (spoiler: not a lot) 

So, what do we know already, and what can we expect? Officially, everything written above. We know there's a new GTA game, and we know now that its first trailer is coming on December 5. We're waiting to see the trailer to get any official details on the game, the setting, even the name. We're all calling it GTA 6 but Rockstar, as yet, has not. 

We have a full explainer on what you need to know about GTA 6 but honestly, right now, it's more a case of what we don't know. But toss it into your bookmarks, because if you can't get away to watch the trailer, we'll be tossing all of the details into there. 

There have, of course, been leaks in the past, most notably that notorious leak of extremely early testing footage. It's also assumed thanks to credible leakers that the setting is going to be a modernized version of Vice City. But it's all speculation until we see it. 

On a personal note, this truly is one of my most anticipated games, well, ever. I've been playing GTA since the very first game, and while I've never got into GTA Online, I've loved every single one of the main games. GTA V was the last time I did a midnight launch outside a store in the freezing cold to get my hands on a copy as early as humanly possible. You know, in the olden days when we used to go and buy our games on discs. 

This time around I'll just be sat in my house, warm and cozy, waiting for the clock to hit the magical hour. But you can bet I'll be there, just like I'll be there at 9 a.m. ET on December 5. It's about to be the biggest gamer watch party of all time. 

What you need to know

• Take-Two Interactive shared its financial results for the Q2 FY24 period ending Sep. 30, 2023. 
• The publisher reported $1.44 billion in net bookings, down 4% year-over-year. 
• Grand Theft Auto 5 has now sold approximately 190 million copies, up around 5 million from the prior quarter.
• A trailer for the next Grand Theft Auto game is coming in early December. 

Another financial results season means even more copies of Grand Theft Auto 5 have been sold. 

Publisher Take-Two Interactive reported $1.44 billion in net bookings for the second quarter in fiscal year 2024, ending Sep. 30, 2023. Grand Theft Auto 5 has reached "approximately" 190 million copies sold, while Red Dead Redemption 2 is at 57 million copies sold. This also comes as Rockstar Games has confirmed that a trailer for the next Grand Theft Auto game is coming in early December. 

AI at Take-Two Interactive?

Speaking on the earnings call accompanying the financial results, CEO Strauss Zelnick was asked about the use of AI in game development. Zelnick noted that he could easily see advantages like having "menial work" reduced, adding that while the company will take advantage of AI advancements, he fully expects competitors to also utilize the technology.

Will there be a GTA movie? 

Zelnick was also asked about the potential for future films based on Take-Two Interactive properties in the wake of the recent announcement that Nintendo will be working on a live-action film based on The Legend of Zelda. Zelnick noted that two films are in development using Take-Two's intellectual property, with the Borderlands film at Lionsgate and a BioShock film in development at Netflix. 

Despite this, Zelnick was cautious around any future announcements, noting that films carry a high degree of risk and citing the Barbie movie — a global hit that's made $1.4 billion at the box office — only expected to create around $115 million in revenue for Mattel. 

Analysis: All eyes on VI

While Take-Two Interactive has plenty of other projects in the works — Judas, the next game from Ghost Story Games and BioShock creator Ken Levine, is especially notable — it's clear as crystal that the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 is the next big beat for this company, and we'll know more of what to expect when the trailer is released in December. 

What you need to know

• Grand Theft Auto 6 is the long-awaited next entry in the gargantuan Grand Theft Auto franchise.
• Initially rumored by a report, Rockstar Games officially confirmed an upcoming reveal of Grand Theft Auto 6, with a trailer coming in early December.
• The announcement comes as part of a 25th-anniversary celebration for the company.

UPDATE Nov. 8 @ 08:30 AM ET: Rockstar Games has taken to X (Twitter) to confirm the upcoming reveal of Grand Theft Auto 6 with plans to debut its first trailer in early December.

One of the most-anticipated games in history is being officially revealed soon. 

It was initially according to a report from Jason Schreier at Bloomberg, who shared on Tuesday that developer Rockstar Games planned to officially unveil Grand Theft Auto 6 "as early as this week," with a trailer for the game coming in December. 

Rockstar Games first officially confirmed that its studios were working on a new Grand Theft Auto game back in February 2022. The prior entry in the franchise, Grand Theft Auto 5, released on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2013, with ports to Windows PC, Xbox One and PS4 following in 2014. 

In 2022, Rockstar Games released a remaster of Grand Theft Auto 5 for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, bringing new performance options and enhanced visuals to the game. 

How big will Grand Theft Auto 6 be?

Grand Theft Auto 5 has sold million of copies every year like clockwork, reaching over 185 million copies sold as of 2023, making it the second best-selling game of all time behind Mojang and Xbox's Minecraft, which currently sits at over 300 million copies sold. It's extremely safe to say that Grand Theft Auto 6 will be an absolutely massive game and a financial juggernaut for Rockstar's parent company, publisher Take-Two Interactive.

Back in May 2023, Take-Two Interactive noted it was preparing for a massive fiscal year, expecting over $8 billion in net bookings in fiscal year 2025, or around $3.5 billion more than in fiscal year 2024. Fiscal year 2025 runs from April 2024 through March 2025, indicating the company expects something in that timeframe to perform ludicrously well. 

A massive game with massive leaks

Quite a bit has already leaked about this game. Prior Bloomberg reports indicated that Rockstar Games would have a duo of protagonists in Grand Theft Auto 6, including a woman, for the first time in the developer's history. 

The company also suffered a massive security breach in September 2022, with a "network intrusion" causing several files to leak. These files contained unfinished animations and early gameplay footage from Grand Theft Auto 6. Two teenagers have been prosecuted as a result of this leak after they tried to ransom off some of the files.

Analysis: Here comes the thunder

I could make some observations about how big this game would be, but they'd come with an obvious nature around the same tone as saying the sky is often blue. This game is going to be monstrous, to the point it'll dominate news cycles for massive periods of time. I'm not the biggest Grand Theft Auto fan, but I hope everyone gets what they want, as I'm not sure any game in history has had to live up to this kind of hype. 

Rockstar Games is one of the last third-party developers that still prioritizes the console experience before releasing a game on Windows PC, but at the very least I expect Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 versions of the game to be confirmed.

What you need to know

• Rockstar announced Red Dead Redemption wil arrive on Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4 on August 17.
• The game is simply a port of the original, and not what fans were expecting. In fact, it's already available via backwards compatibility on Xbox.
• People have been expressing outrage over the $50 price tag for a 13-year-old port that's not even coming to PC, and one person on Reddit even shows it's cheaper to buy the game and an Xbox console than pay for the re-release.

Rumors of a Red Dead Redemption remake or remaster have been circulating in the gaming sphere for quite some time, and this week we actually got news that something new was coming, but not what fans expected. On August 17, Red Dead Redemption will be ported to the Nintendo Switch and the PlayStation 4, but it will not be a remake or a remaster. It will be the same 13-year-old game from the Xbox 360, with no improvements in graphics, performance and no multiplayer. And it will cost you a whopping $50. But hey, at least you get the Undead Nightmare DLC for free, right?

Do not buy Red Dead Redemption from r/reddeadredemption

Well not according to fans of the game. People are furious about this port and they are not afraid to show it. The current top post of the week on the Red Dead Redemption subreddit is titled “Do not buy Red Dead Redemption” and it has over 15k upvotes and 2k comments. One fan even calculated that it would be cheaper to buy a used Xbox 360 and the original game than to buy this port. But why are fans so mad in the first place?

Broken promises?

Parent company for Rockstar's games, Take Two was famously quoted in 2021 with its stance on re-releasing games. Drawing its line firmly in the sand was this tidbit from an interview with CEO Strauss Zelnick "Remastering has always been a part of the strategy. We've done differently from the competition — we don't just port titles over, we actually take time to do the very best job we can making the title different for the new release, for the new technology that we're launching it on."

A strong statement for a company that has just done exactly that, port an old Xbox 360 and PS3 game over to different consoles with no significant changes or enhancements. Many feel that the announcement represents a broken promise to consumers, and Rockstar and Take Two are simply porting the game as a cash grab with no effort into improving it for both new and existing audiences.

The price of nostalgia

Adding further to the disappointment of no remaster, Rockstar announced that the port will cost $50. Zelnick has responded to the outrage by doubling down on the price point, insisting that $50 for both Red Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare is “commercially accurate” and “certainly a great value for consumers.”

Many would disagree, however, given that the port isn’t offering anything substantially new for players. In fact, there is no multiplayer and no physical release. In addition, the long-awaited announcement left PC players out in the cold as there is still no news on Red Dead Redemption coming to PC.

In fact, it didn’t take redditors long to work out that it’s actually cheaper to buy a second-hand Xbox 360 console and Red Dead Redemption on disc than it will be for the port. On Ebay, you can currently purchase both for around $48, and you’d be getting the same experience as someone playing on Nintendo Switch on August 17.

Xbox Backwards Compatibility for the win

I've always said that Xbox is the platform of choice when it comes to value for money. Without even digging into the benefits of a Game Pass subscription, the backwards compatibility feature has long meant that we haven't had to repurchase our games when we upgrade our hardware, and this is a prime example of how that system benefits consumers in a tangible way. The digital version of Red Dead Redemption on Xbox, which is currently only $30, and is playable on Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X. Not only that but it runs in 4K on Xbox Series S and 1440P on Xbox Series S. Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4 players (and PS5 who will receive via backwards compatibility) are essentially being asked to fork out $50 for a lower grade experience.

A beloved and acclaimed game

If there's anything positive to take from this discourse, it's that Red Dead Redemption is still an incredible game that players feel is worth releasing again in 2023, even amongst what's been a jampacked year so far for successful new titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Diablo 4, with Starfield just on the horizon, a 13-year old game re-launch is still a hot topic of discussion and that's only because expectations were high for a quality remaster of a great game. Studios like Capcom are leading the charge with remasters like Resident Evil 4, and there will always be a hungry audience with deep pockets waiting to throw money at beloved games of years gone by, it's just a shame Rockstar hasn't honored the requests of its fanbase in this instance. For now, we’ll have to settle for the best version of the game available, which is on Xbox.

What you need to know

• Over the past few weeks, there's been growing evidence pointing to some kind of re-release for Red Dead Redemption such as a remake or remaster. 
• Red Dead Redemption is officially being ported to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, with the Undead Nightmare expansion include but with multiplayer.
• There's no PC version of the port, while Xbox players can continue to play the game through backward compatibility. 
• The game will be available on new platforms for $50 on August 17, 2023.

If you were hoping to again play as John Marston, you're getting your wish. Kind of. 

Following recent signs that some sort of remaster or remake of Red Dead Redemption could be on the way, Rockstar Games shared on Monday that Red Dead Redemption is being ported to PS4 and Nintendo Switch, but not Windows PC. These ports are a "conversion" of the original game being handled by Double Eleven. You can take a look at the trailer below. 

Red Dead Redemption will be available on PS4 and Nintendo Switch for $50 on August 17, 2023. There's no multiplayer mode, but the game does include the Undead Nightmare expansion.

There's also no Xbox version, as the game is currently playable on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One through backward compatibility. Red Dead Redemption even takes advantage of the resolution boost feature to run at 4K on Xbox Series X, and 1440p on Xbox Series S.

Analysis: A port's $50 the world around

It's a little disappointing to see there's no PC release for this, but it seems Rockstar Games isn't interested in a full-on remake or enhanced remaster right now, just a fairly straightforward port. More people getting to play this game is still a good thing, but this does feel like a bit of a missed opportunity. 

I do still firmly believe we'll see a PC release and some kind of remaster or remake, but we'll probably be waiting until after GTA 6 for that.

What you need to know

• Red Dead Redemption first released back in 2010 on Xbox 360 and PS3, with no ports of the game to new platforms ever since. 
• A new logo for "Rockstar Presents Red Dead Redemption" is on the Rockstar Games media servers. 
• This comes shortly after Red Dead Redemption was rated in South Korea, with the rating description including mentions of gore.

If you're hoping for a remake of Rockstar Games' 2010 western adventure, there's good reasons to have keep that hope alive. 

Twitter account TezFunz2 shared on Thursday that Rockstar Games' website was updated, with mentions of "RD1RSP" and a new logo saying "Rockstar Games Presents Red Dead Redemption."

The logo (which has been verified to be on the Rockstar Games servers) can be seen below:

This also comes just a short time after Red Dead Redemption was rated in South Korea, which is a bit late for rating a game that released back in 2010, unless some kind of new version is on the way.

Right now, Rockstar Games is known to be working on Grand Theft Auto 6, which reportedly features a female protagonist, a first for the series. Looking ahead into parent company Take-Two Interactive's financial expectations reveals the company is expecting to make billions more than usual from April 2024 to March 2025, which could be an indication of Grand Theft Auto 6's release window.

Windows Central's take

The Korean Rating was already eyebrow-raising, but combined with this new image, it definitely seems like a revamped version of Red Dead Redemption is on the way. Considering how successful Red Dead Redemption 2 has been — it's over 53 million copies sold — the most surprising thing is how long it's taken for Red Dead Redemption to get ported over. 

The game was released on the Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2010, with no other versions available, although the Xbox version can be played through backward compatible on Xbox Series X|S consoles, running at nearly 4K on Xbox Series X.

What you need to know

• Take-Two Interactive shared its financial results for FY23 Q4 ending March 31, 2023. 
• Grand Theft Auto 5 has now sold over 180 million copies. 
• Take-Two Interactive is expecting fiscal year 2025 (which runs from April 2024 to March 2025) to be a massive period for the company, with several big game launches.

While there's nothing official, there's some interesting tidbits in the latest financial results from publisher Take-Two Interactive. 

As the company shared details on FY23 Q4's financial results, Take-Two Interactive also provided guidance two years in advance, noting that the company is expecting to launch several games in fiscal year 2025 — for Take-Two, that runs from April 2024 through March 2025 — and achieving a massive $8 billion in net bookings. 

This might provide a hint as to when the company is expecting to launch the widely-anticipated GTA 6 from Rockstar Games, which it previously acknowledged is in active development. For context, fiscal year 2024 is expected to merely achieve around $5.5 billion in net books, with the company having just hit $5.2 billion in net bookings for fiscal year 2023. 

Speaking on the conference call accompanying the earnings, CEO Strauss Zelnick said that Take-Two Interactive is "very confident" in the coming slate of games, while acknowledging how unusual it is to give guidance two years in advance. Take-Two Interactive also shared that several unannounced internal games have been cancelled due to not meeting needed standards.

Take-Two Interactive saw $1.4 billion in net revenue for the quarter, with $926 million in operating expenses, the latter of which was increased by integration of the recently-acquired mobile publisher Zynga. For specific games, Grand Theft Auto 5 has now reached 180 million copies sold, while Red Dead Redemption 2 is up to 53 million copies sold.

Windows Central's take

Obviously nothing is concrete, but I just don't see how Take-Two is aiming for $8 billion without having new Grand Theft Auto title involved. Even launching several other big games from internal studios at 2K and Private Division doesn't seem like it would be enough. There's also the question mark of where Judas from Ken Levine and Ghost Story Games will land.

Time will tell!

What you need to know

• According to a report from Bloomberg, Rockstar Games has improved its workplace culture during the development of Grand Theft Auto 6. 
• The company is reportedly hiring more producers to avoid crunch, while not allowing "frat-boy" or abusive behaviors. 
• Grand Theft Auto 6 will also reportedly feature a pair of protagonists, including a Latina woman, with the story inspired by Bonnie and Clyde.

Rockstar Games is now a much healthier place to work, with the company taking steps to be more inclusive and cut down on crunch, according to a new report.

Per Bloomberg, Rockstar Games has taken steps to reduce the amount of crunch allowed at the company, including hiring more producers and changes to the design department. As a result, it's now reportedly a better place to work, though these changes — combined with effects from the pandemic — mean that progress on Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) has been slower than some staff expected, with some estimating it's still at least two years away.

Rockstar Games is also reportedly trying to be a more inclusive company, being careful about the tone of the game, being careful to avoid jokes that "punch down" on minorities. Additionally, GTA 6 will reportedly feature a female protagonist, a Latina woman that is one of two playable characters, with the story taking after the famous criminals Bonnie and Clyde.

Rockstar Games' previous titles have been massive blockbusters, with Grand Theft Auto 5 — a game that first released in 2013 — going on to sell over 165 million copies as of May 2022, making it the second best-selling game of all time behind Mojang Studios' Minecraft. Meanwhile, the 2018 western Red Dead Redemption 2 has sold over 44 million copies. 

What you need to know

• Take-Two Interactive shared its fiscal results for Q4 2022.
• As usual, Grand Theft Auto 5 has sold another five million copies, crossing 165 million copies sold.
• While not giving sales figures, Take-Two Interactive says Tiny Tina's Wonderlands "exceeded expecations."
• Take-Two Interactive plans to launch multiple games like The Quarry and Marvel's Midnight Suns in the coming fiscal year.

Publisher Take-Two Interactive is continuing to rake in success from Rockstar Games, but the company is looking to launch a broad range of games in the future.

As Take-Two Interactive shared in its Q4 2022 fiscal results, the company reported net bookings of $3.41 billion. Grand Theft Auto 5 crossed 165 million copies sold, empowered by the launch of an Xbox Series X|S and PS5 port in March 2022.

This is up from 160 million copies sold in the previous quarter, continuing the clockwork-esque sales of Rockstar Games' juggernaut title. Meanwhile, Rockstar Games' more recent title, the western adventure, Red Dead Redemption 2, is at 44 million sold.

While Take-Two Interactive didn't share sales figures for Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, CEO Strauss Zelnick noted in a conference call accompanying the financial results that the game "exceeded expectations" and that 30% of players had not previously played a Borderlands game.

Looking ahead, Take-Two Interactive plans to publish multiple games in fiscal 2023, including Supermassive Games' horror title The Quarry, a new Tales from the Borderlands game, and Marvel's Midnight Suns from Firaxis Games. The former is slated to arrive on June 10, 2022, while the latter has a Fall 2022 release window. In the more immediate future, the publisher is expecting to close its acquisition of Zynga on May 23, 2022. At he purchase is one of the largest video game acquisitions of all time, second only to Microsoft's pending purchase of Activision Blizzard for almost $69 billion.

Even further ahead, Take-Two Interactive plans to launch 69 games by fiscal 2025. The company is officially working on the next Grand Theft Auto game, which is likely Grand Theft Auto 6. The publisher also signed a deal with Remedy Entertainment to work on a remake of Max Payne and Max Payne 2.

What you need to know

• Max Payne and Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne are games developed by Remedy Entertainment and published by Rockstar Games.
• Remedy and Rockstar Games have reached a new agreement, with remakes of these two games on the way.
• The remakes will be coming to Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC.

Remedy Entertainment is headed back to its roots with a couple of remakes.

Remedy Entertainment shared on Wednesday that the studio has reached a new agreement with publisher Rockstar Games to remake the first two Max Payne games, Max Payne and Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne. The remakes will be bundled together as one title.

"We were thrilled when our long-time friends at Remedy approached us about remaking the original Max Payne games," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games "We are massive fans of the work the Remedy team has created over the years, and we can't wait to play these new versions."

The remakes of these two games will be using Remedy Entertainment's proprietary Northlight Engine, the same technology that was used in Control and is powering the recently-announced Alan Wake 2. The development budget for the remakes is being handled by Rockstar Games, which will be the size of a "...typical Remedy AAA-game production."

Much like Alan Wake 2, these remakes are coming exclusively to current-generation hardware, meaniing they'll be available on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC and PS5. No PS4 or Xbox One versions will be available.

"Max Payne has always held a special place in the hearts of everyone at Remedy, and we know the millions of fans worldwide feel the same," said Remedy CEO, Tero Virtala. "We're hugely excited to be working with our partners at Rockstar Games once again for the chance to bring the story, action and atmosphere of the original Max Payne games back to players in new ways."

The press release notes that the game is in the "concept development" stage, meaning that the remakes of these two classic games aren't likely to be launching anytime soon. Alan Wake 2 also currently lacks a release date, though Remedy has committed to a release window of 2023.

In the meantime, the Max Payne games were made backward compatible on Xbox consoles in 2021 as part of the final push to add games in Microsoft's backward compatibility program.

What you need to know

• Rockstar Games has announced GTA+, a subscription service for Grand Theft Auto Online.
• The service brings monthly benefits, such as extra cash and new items.
• GTA+ is exclusive to players on Xbox Series X|S and PS5.
• GTA+ costs $6 a month.

Rockstar Games announced GTA+ on Friday, a new subscription service that brings new benefits like monthly cash and more for players on current-generation hardware.

According to the announcement, GTA+ is exclusive to Grand Theft Auto Online players on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PS5. For $6 a month, players get bonuses such as $500,000 GTA cash, a special auto shop, unique paints and emblems, and more. Note that if you subscribe, you'll need to claim monthly benefits before they disappear.

While Rockstar Games is continuing to work on the next Grand Theft Auto game, which will almost certainly be called GTA 6, there's plenty of life left in GTA 5 and its companion online mode, as Rockstar Games recently ported the title to current-generation consoles, with improved framerates and faster load times. Anyone currently playing GTA 5 on Xbox One or PS4 can port their saves over to one of the newer versions of the game.

What you need to know

• Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of the most successful games of all time, and now spans three console generations.
• On March 15, 2022, the game will be upgraded and enhanced to take full advantage of Xbox Series X|S and PS5 technologies.
• On Friday, Rockstar Games revealed the performance targets, how to migrate your character progress, and more for GTA V on current-gen consoles.
• There will be three performance modes to choose from, reaching up to 4K resolution, 60 FPS, and ray-tracing enabled on every console.

Grand Theft Auto 5 is well-known as one of the most popular and successful games of the last decade. Initially released on Xbox 360 and PS3, the game is currently available on the latest generation of consoles in its Xbox One and PS4 upgraded version. Later this month, Rockstar Games is upgrading the title to take advantage of current-gen features and technologies.

GTA 5 on Xbox Series X|S is more than just a glow-up, as there is an abundance of additions and enhancements slated for the upgrade. On Friday, Rockstar Games revealed how GTA V on Xbox Series X|S will work, including performance targets and visual upgrades for current-gen consoles, as well as how players can migrate their progress to the new version.

Here's how Grand Theft Auto 5 will run on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PS5:

• Performance modes. GTA 5 will feature three performance modes on current-gen consoles, each targeting different resolutions, framerates, and visual fidelity.
  • Fidelity Mode prioritizes visual fidelity, with ray-tracing and up to 4K and 30 FPS on Xbox Series X and PS5, and upscaled 4K and 30 FPS on the Series S
  • Performance Mode prioritizes performance, with upscaled 4K and 60 FPS on Xbox Series X and PS5, and 1080p and 60 FPS on the Series S
  • Performance RT mode blends visual fidelity and performance targets, with ray-tracing, upscaled 4K, and 60 FPS on Xbox Series X and PS5. This mode is not featured on Xbox Series S
• Enhancements and features. The current-gen version of GTA 5 will feature a ton of general enhancements and features over previous versions, including:
  • Improved loading times
  • Increased population and traffic variety
  • Increased vegetation and foliage density
  • Improved lighting quality
  • Improved anti-aliasing and motion blur
  • Improved explosions, fire, and other effects
  • Adaptive Trigger support on PS5
  • Immersive audio support on Xbox Series X|S and PS5
• GTA Online details. GTA Online is the multiplayer-centric half of GTA 5, and it's also enjoying new features and enhancements in addition to everything detailed above. For the first time, GTA Online will also be available to purchase and download separately on current-gen consoles. Some of the new features include:
  • Hao's Special Works for vehicle upgrades, unique races, and more
  • A new introduction, tutorial, and Career Builder feature to help new players get situated
  • Newly designed main menu to make it easier to browse content

Grand Theft Auto 5 officially arrives on Xbox Series X|S and PS5 on March 15, 2022. Preorders and pre-loading begins one week earlier on March 8. GTA 5 has long been one of the best Xbox games around, and it's about to get even better with this current-gen upgrade.

Starting today, players can now prepare their single-player Story Mode progress with a one-time migration to the new version by navigating to Pause Menu, Game, and Upload Save Option, which uses your Rockstar Games Social Club account. This will keep your save for 90 days, so be sure only to do it when you're ready to migrate. GTA Online players will also be able to migrate all their character progression on March 15 by logging into their Rockstar Games Social Club account on their current-gen console.

Grand Theft Auto 6, or GTA 6, is still years off at best but given the popularity of the franchise, it's no wonder that eager fans are already hungry for any information.

The last GTA title, Grand Theft Auto 5, has sold over 160 million copies, making it one of the most successful games of all time. However, it came out in 2013, so it makes sense that players are expecting a new entry soon. Rockstar Games is officially working on the next entry in the franchise, but little is known right now beyond speculation. Even so, with how very little we know right now, we can make some educated guesses thanks to some rumors from reputable sources that are leaking, giving us a glimpse of what to expect from GTA 6.

When is the release date for GTA 6?

Right now, there's no telling when the release of GTA 6 will be. Tom Henderson and Jason Schreier, a reputable industry insider and journalist respectively, have both indicated that the game is likely several years away, with a possible 2025 window.

What is GTA 6?

GTA 6 is the abbreviated name of the next Grand Theft Auto game, which will almost certainly be named Grand Theft Auto 6. Rockstar Games officially announced that development on the game was happening in February 2022, though of course it has been in development for years before that soft reveal.

Rockstar Games has developed some of the best Xbox games available, with the studio's most recent original game, the 2018 Western epic Red Dead Redemption 2, selling over 40 million copies since launch.

Past Grand Theft Auto games have been third-person games with a huge emphasis on building an empire of crime and allowing players to do different jobs and pull heists in a massive, open-world sandbox setting. The Xbox One, PS4, and PC ports of Grand Theft Auto 5 introduced new features, including a first-person mode as well, something we'd expect to see stay in the next game, especially since this first-person mode carried over into the aforementioned Red Dead Redemption 2.

Where is the GTA 6 map located?

Nothing has officially been announced yet, but we've got an idea of where GTA 6 is taking place. According to well-known Battlefield leaker Henderson, GTA 6 will be set in a modern day Vice City, a city that is based on Miami and the setting for the 2002 title Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Schreier from Bloomberg notes that this information lines up with what he has heard, with VGC's sources also backing this up.

Is GTA 6 an MMO?

We don't know, but there will probably be some MMO-type elements. Henderson has indicated that the map will evolve and change over time, in line with how the map of Fortnite has radically changed across various updates. This is also in line with GTA Online, which has added new areas throughout various content updates and expansions across its long lifespan.

With that in mind, it's unlikely the game will be a "true" MMO and will almost certainly allow players to enjoy the game by themselves if they want, as Rockstar Games has a long history of providing blockbuster singleplayer experiences.

Who are the GTA 6 characters?

We don't know who the main protagonist(s) of GTA 6 will be yet. Some Rockstar Games opt for a single main character, while Grand Theft Auto 5 allowed players to alternate between three different leads: Franklin Clinton, Michael De Santa and Trevor Philips. It's possible we could get just one main character again like past games, or multiple protagonists like in Grand Theft Auto 5. We'll have to wait and see what Rockstar opts to do here.

Will GTA 6 connect to the new version of Grand Theft Auto 5?

Rockstar Games is publishing a new version of Grand Theft Auto 5 for the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PS5. It was originally scheduled to launch on Nov. 11, 2021, but was since delayed to March 15, 2022, with Rockstar Games announcing the delay during the September 2021 PlayStation Showcase.

This version of the game comes with 4K and 60 FPS modes, alongside faster loading by tapping into the consoles' ultra-fast internal SSDs, alongside other features such as using the PS5 DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. There will also be a standalone version of GTA Online that's free for PS5 owners to keep if they redeem it within the first three months.

It's possible that Rockstar Games is using this port to explore features of the newest consoles and that different features will be carried over into GTA 6, but this is only speculation.

What platforms is GTA 6 coming to?

Given how far out this game is and taking into account the patterns of past Rockstar Games, GTA 6 is almost certainly coming to the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PS5. A PC version will also absolutely happen, but Rockstar may choose to port the game to PC sometime after the initial console launch, as this is something of a pattern for the developer, with the company waiting and porting both Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 to PC around a year after the console versions.

What you need to know

• Rockstar Games is officially working on the next big Grand Theft Auto game.
• The last mainline entry in the series, Grand Theft Auto 5, launched in 2013 for Xbox 360 and PS3.
• Eockstar Games' last big title was Red Dead Redemption 2, which released in 2018.

Rockstar Games officially confirms it is working on a new Grand Theft Auto game. While details are currently scarce, the developer has put rumors to rest, with confirmation that a new entry in the long-running franchise is on the way.

"Many of you have been asking about a new entry in the Grand Theft Auto series," Rockstar Games shared on Twitter. "With every new project, our goal is always to significantly move beyond what we've previously delivered. We're pleased to confirm that active development for the next entry in the series is underway."

There's no title or release date at the moment, but it's pretty likely that it'll be called Grand Theft Auto 6. Reports currently indicate that the game might launch in 2024 or 2025, but we'll have to wait for further confirmation.

The news comes alongside a release date and a bevy of detailed improvements for Grand Theft Auto 5 on Xbox Series X, S and PS5. The newly enhanced version of Grand Theft Auto 5 has 4K and 60 FPS options on current-generation consoles, alongside the ability to port save date over.

Grand Theft Auto is one of the most lucrative series in gaming, with Grand Theft Auto 5 selling over 155 million copies so far, in addition to microtransation revenue garnered through GTA Online.

Rockstar Games recently launched another remaster, GTA Definitive Edition, which bundled together three older titles in the franchise: GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas. The remaster was poorly received due to numerous bugs, glitches, poor textures and other issues.

What you need to know

• Rockstar Games is reportedly remastering three Grand Theft Auto titles.
• This ports are being planned as a compilation that includes Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City and San Andreas.
• Ports of other games, like Red Dead Redemption, are also reportedly being explored.

Rockstar Games is remastering three Grand Theft Auto games for Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Stadia, mobile and Nintendo Switch platforms, according to a report from Kotaku. The games in question are Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which originally launched in 2001, 2002 and 2004, respectively.

These games are reportedly being remastered using Epic Games' Unreal Engine, while development of these remasters is being led by Rockstar Dundee. The Scottish studio is newest addition to Rockstar Games and was known as Ruffian Games before being acquired. Ruffian Games was the lead developer of Crackdown 2 and also provided support work on titles like Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

The plans for these remastered games have also reportedly shifted due to the pandemic, with the possibility that the games might launch in November but the mobile and PC ports could be delayed to 2022. It also appears the three games will be bundled together as a digital-only package. Per the report, new ports of games like Red Dead Redemption are also on the table, though this could depend on the sales of the remastered Grand Theft Auto games. 2019 western adventure Red Dead Redemption 2 sold over 38 million copies as of earlier in 2021.

Rockstar Games' latest entry in the GTA series, Grand Theft Auto 5, recently crossed 150 million copies sold, with a new version of GTA 5 for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PS5 scheduled to launch on November 11, 2021. Grand Theft Auto 6 is also reportedly in development, though it seems like that game won't arrive until possibly 2025.

What you need to know

• Take-Two Interactive shared its Q3 2021 financial results.
• Grand Theft Auto 5 has now sold over 140 million copies.
• Red Dead Redemption 2 has sold over 36 million copies.

Take-Two Interactive reported its Q3 2021 financial results today, with net revenue at $860.9 million, down from $930.1 million in Q3 2020, year-over-year. Highlighting its titles is the ongoing juggernaut of Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V, which has crossed 140 million copies sold, up from 135 million copies sold in Q1 2021.

CEO Strauss Zelnick noted that Grand Theft Auto 5 sold more copies in 2020 than any other year except in its release year of 2013. A current-generation version of Grand Theft Auto 5 is still slated to arrive for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PS5 sometime in the second half of 2021. Rockstar Games' Red Dead Redemption 2 was also confirmed to have sold over 36 million copies so far.

Speaking on the merger between Embracer Group and Gearbox Software, Take-Two Interactive stated that its publishing relationship for the Borderlands franchise will continue.

NBA 2K21 has sold over 8 million copies, up from 5 million in the past quarter. For more on the company's recent earnings, you can take a look at Take-Two Interactive's Q2 2021 financial results.

Xbox Series X/S

Main

• Xbox Series X: Everything we know
• Best games coming to Xbox Series X/S
• List of Xbox Series X specs
• What is the Xbox Series X release date?
• How much does Xbox Series X cost?
• Why you can't preorder Xbox Series X yet
• Best Xbox Series X Headsets

What you need to know

• Ruffian Games is a Scottish studio best-known for developing Crackdown 2.
• Per a new report, Ruffian Games has been acquired by Take-Two Interactive, parent company of Rockstar Games.
• Ruffian Games has also been rebranded as Rockstar Dundee.

Update, October 14 (11:13 ET): Rockstar Games confirmed today that it has acquired and rebranded Ruffian Games as Rockstar Dundee.

According to TheGamer, Take-Two Interactive has acquired Ruffian Games, the developers of Crackdown 2. A Companies House listing points to the appointment of Take-Two Interactive as having control in the company, as well as rebranding the studio from Ruffian Games to Rockstar Dundee.

Ruffian Games is located in Dundee, Scotland and is previously best-known for developing Crackdown 2. The studio also assisted on projects like Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Crackdown 3. Several developers who previously worked on the Grand Theft Auto franchise currently work at Ruffian, so the acquisition makes sense. Rockstar North is also located in Scotland, while Ruffian has been hiring for developers to work on a project with Rockstar since 2019.

This acquisition brings the Rockstar Games division of Take-Two Interactive to 10 studios. Right now, we know Rockstar is working on a next-generation version of Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PS5, which is set to release in the second half of 2021. Grand Theft Auto V has sold over 135 million copies as of August 2020.

Update, June 15 (11:13 pm ET) — Rockstar Games is growing

The acquisition has been confirmed and Ruffian Games has joined Rockstar Games and been renamed Rockstar Dundee. The 40-person team will be assisting the rest of Rockstar Games on future projects.

"We are thrilled to have Ruffian join the Rockstar Games family," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "The Ruffian team are a talented addition to Rockstar's global studios, and we look forward to working together on future projects."

Xbox Series X/S

Main

• Xbox Series X: Everything we know
• Best games coming to Xbox Series X/S
• List of Xbox Series X specs
• What is the Xbox Series X release date?
• How much does Xbox Series X cost?
• Why you can't preorder Xbox Series X yet
• Best Xbox Series X Headsets

What you need to know

• Rockstar Games is shutting down the servers for GTA Online and Red Dead Online from 2:00 p.m. ET to 4:00 p.m. ET today.
• The move is intended as a sign of solidarity with Black Lives Matter, honoring the death of George Floyd.
• Several reccent gaming events have been pushed back as a result of the ongoing protests.

Rockstar Games has announced that it is taking down the servers for both GTA Online and Red Dead Online until 4:00 p.m. ET. This move meant to show support for Black Lives Matter and to honor the memory of George Floyd.

Many different gaming events have been pushed back as a result of the ongoing protests. One such event was Sony's The Future of Gaming, a showcase meant for today that would've focused on PS5 games.

GTA Online is part of Grand Theft Auto V, a game that has crossed 130 million copies sold as of earlier this year. Meanwhile, Red Dead Redemption 2 has attained over 31 million copies sold.

Xbox

Main

• What is Xbox Game Pass?
• Best 4K TVs for Xbox Series X and S
• Must-buy Xbox One Headsets
• Our Favorite Xbox One Wireless Headsets
• Best Upcoming Xbox Games for 2021
• Xbox One X vs. Xbox Series S

What you need to know

• Rockstar Games had several reports of mismanagement and crunch culture back in 2018.
• According to a new report from Jason Schreier of Kotaku, Rockstar Games has taken steps to improve work conditions since then.
• Time will tell how these improvements continue.

Back in 2018, when as Rockstar Games was getting ready to release Red Dead Redemption 2, several reports indicated that the company had some serious issues stemming from crunch culture, mismanagement and cases of sexual harrasment. Now, there's some good news. According to a follow-up report from Jason Schreier, Rockstar Games has been taking steps to fix these problems.

Reportedly, the company is providing more flexible work hours, new leadership training and is taking steps to cut down on crunch. Multiple employees spoke anonymously to to Schreier, saying that it felt like the company was on the right track and that it felt like a "healthier culture."

"We have taken conscious steps to improve our approach to developing games in order to reduce the need for overtime," executive Jennifer Kolbe wrote in an email to staff. "We realise we still have plenty to do in this area and will continue to take steps so we can more accurately predict and schedule games and DLC in a way that is more sustainable but still allows us the creative flexibility to iterate on the incredibly ambitious and complex games we make."

Earlier this year, Rockstar Games vice president and creative director Dan Houser announced he was leaving the company. Like most other publishers and studios around the world, Rockstar Games implemented a work from home policy earlier this year as a result of the ongoing outbreak.

We'll have to wait and see how these cultural changes at the company will shape up over the next couple of years.

Xbox

Main

• What is Xbox Game Pass?
• Best 4K TVs for Xbox Series X and S
• Must-buy Xbox One Headsets
• Our Favorite Xbox One Wireless Headsets
• Best Upcoming Xbox Games for 2021
• Xbox One X vs. Xbox Series S

What you need to know

• Rockstar Games is the company behind popular franchises like GTA and Red Dead Redemption.
• In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, they're instating a new work from home policy.
• The policy affects all of their international offices and studios, and started last week.
• The company's operations should continue like normal, including online games and support teams.

It's no secret that the coronavirus has led to cancellations of events and work from home policies all over the world. It seems Rockstar Games, the developer of popular titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto 5 is also taking the same approach in an effort to keep their employees safe.

The studio has been working for the past week to implement a remote work from home policy for their international offices and studios, so that employees can safely work without being in danger of contracting or spreading the coronavirus. According to Rockstar Games, disruption to their projects should be fairly minimal, with their remote policies letting employees continue their work pretty much like normal. That means online services for RDR2 and GTAV won't be interrupted, and Rockstar Games' support teams will also be fully functional.

This is turning into an expected move from a lot of companies, since it seems working from home causes little-to-no-difference in productivity as long as teams have ways of communicating and keeping in contact with each other. It remains to be seen how long Rockstar Games' work from home policy will remain in effect, but it should be at least until the threat from the coronavirus is, for the most part, behind us.

Xbox

Main

• What is Xbox Game Pass?
• Best 4K TVs for Xbox Series X and S
• Must-buy Xbox One Headsets
• Our Favorite Xbox One Wireless Headsets
• Best Upcoming Xbox Games for 2021
• Xbox One X vs. Xbox Series S

What you need to know

• Take-Two Interactive has provided its Q3 financial report.
• Grand Theft Auto V has crossed 120 million units sold in.
• Red Dead Redemption 2 has reached 29 million units sold in, with Borderlands 3 nearing 8 million units.
• The Outer Worlds has sold in over 2 million copies.

Take-Two Interactive has shared its Q3 2020 financial report, showing the performance of multiple different games and the company as a whole. Of immediate note is Grand Theft Auto V, which has crossed 120 million units sold-in. Grand Theft Auto V was previously established as the best-selling game of the decade in the U.S. Grand Theft Auto Online exceeded Take-Two's expectations due to the launch of the Diamond Casino update.

While the GTA juggernaut continues, western adventure Red Dead Redemption 2 has sold in 29 million copies. The PC version launched late in 2019, which helped propel this number up. Borderlands 3 has sold in almost 8 million units, up from 7 million back in November 2019. The Outer Worlds has crossed 2 million copies sold in since launch, which "significantly succeeded expectations."

Take-Two also noted that the new studio Cloud Chamber, established to work on the next BioShock game, "will be in development for the next several years."

When asked about the departure of Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said that "Rockstar Games individually, and Take-Two as a whole, are a team sport. The team leader at Rockstar Games is Sam Houser, who founded the label, and we believe in the entire team, led by Sam. We feel really great about it, even as we wish Dan well on the next chapter in his career."

Xbox

Main

• What is Xbox Game Pass?
• Best 4K TVs for Xbox Series X and S
• Must-buy Xbox One Headsets
• Our Favorite Xbox One Wireless Headsets
• Best Upcoming Xbox Games for 2021
• Xbox One X vs. Xbox Series S

What you need to know

• Dan Houser is a creative director and vice president of Rockstar Games.
• He's been involved in several major Rockstar titles, including Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto V.
• Take-Two Interactive, parent company of Rockstar, revealed that Dan Houser is leaving in March.

According to a new press release from Take-Two Interactive, Dan Houser is leaving Rockstar Games. The press release notes that Dan is leaving after an "extended break" that began in Spring 2019. His last day at Rockstar will be March 11, 2020.

Dan and his brother Sam co-founded Rockstar Games in 1998. Dan has served as producer and writer of countless Rockstar titles like the Grand Theft Auto series, Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2. With his brother serving as the president of Rockstar, Dan's work as vice president of creativity has been a guiding force throughout the entirety of Rockstar's history.

"We are extremely grateful for his contributions," the press release says. "Rockstar Games has built some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful game worlds, a global community of passionate fans and an incredibly talented team, which remains focused on current and future projects."

Xbox

Main

• What is Xbox Game Pass?
• Best 4K TVs for Xbox Series X and S
• Must-buy Xbox One Headsets
• Our Favorite Xbox One Wireless Headsets
• Best Upcoming Xbox Games for 2021
• Xbox One X vs. Xbox Series S

What you need to know

• Red Dead Redemption 2 is a Wild West action game.
• It features an ever-evolving multiplayer mode called Red Dead Online.
• Red Dead Online just got a winter event with a lot of rewards.
• You can purchase Red Dead Redemption 2: Ultimate Edition for $60 on GameStop.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a cinematic action-adventure game set in the Wild West. The title takes place in 1899, a time which brought stability to the United States, but also resulted in a drastic shift for many individuals who lived close to the untamed frontier. Beforehand, the federal government chose not to heavily intervene in these territories, going all the way to California.

However, the need for consolidation and some form of control — especially when states like Montana and Utah were admitted into the Union — triggered an end to the uncontrolled lawlessness that prevailed during those times. What many people considered true freedom was coming to an end.

If you're a fan of the multiplayer mode, Red Dead Online, you'll be happy to know that there's a winter event going on. Snow is falling in places you would have never expected, and it looks amazing. The Rockstar Games team has really nailed the look of winter.

While there is a lot to do, if you play Red Dead Online between December 23 and January 6, you'll get a number of amazing gifts. Just make sure you at least log in on December 23, then again on December 31 to get them all. The rewards include gift chests, guns, ammunition, and experience boosts. It's definitely the season to get into this amazing game!

Xbox

Main

• What is Xbox Game Pass?
• Best 4K TVs for Xbox Series X and S
• Must-buy Xbox One Headsets
• Our Favorite Xbox One Wireless Headsets
• Best Upcoming Xbox Games for 2021
• Xbox One X vs. Xbox Series S

One day I decided to pick up a bounty — I had nothing better to do. So I followed the map to a cliffside near a river where I found the criminal in question: a self-proclaimed medicine man whose snake oil led to many deaths in the nearby town.

Of course, bringing him in alive wasn't going to be easy. He wasn't going to come along willingly, and even worse, after resisting, he slipped and fell into the raging river below. I attempted to chase after him, galloping down the river banks. He wasn't going super fast, and I knew where to go, so this sounded easy.

Unfortunately, my horse (named Hey Thur Horsey because I'm creative) wouldn't turn when I needed him to. When I tried to cross the river, my horse got stuck on a rock. When I tried to move him beyond it, nothing happened. When I was finally able to move him, my horse slowly trudged forward, turned slowly, and attempted to cross. However, by then, my bounty had died, and I had to restart.

There's little difference between Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC and on consoles. The game is still a sprawling, technological marvel that shines most in the meandering moments. It's a title that's easy to get lost in; even if you have a quest to do, you'll spend a while tracking the deer that got away or turning off the road to see what you find. What does differ is how that technology works.

Red Dead Redemption 2 came out in 2018, so this review isn't comprehensive. I don't care about the story, the characters, the pacing, or the attention that Rockstar games paid to make sure horses will poop in the middle of rendered cutscenes. What I was curious about was how the game played on PC. Is it worth buying again to play at your desk or a good purchase for people who play strictly on PC rigs?

It's all still an achievement in games technology. However, with new controls and some new features, including a more streamlined photo mode and new missions, the game feels both fresh and old, heavy and clunky, but also smooth. I can feel relaxed knowing I'll hit my target with my rifle but frustrated because movement slows the game down.

To address the big horse in the room

If you read Windows Central often, you might have noticed that I had issues playing this game. You might've noticed that a lot of players have been having issues, to the point where Rockstar Games had to issue multiple patches for both the launcher and the game. I had to wait a week to play the game unencumbered, and even then, I was plagued with the game not booting unless I turned off my antivirus software and occasional crashes.

Rockstar took a week to release an official statement on the matter, along with a note on a fix specifically for NVIDIA users. As of this writing, most of the technical issues are gone. I can launch the game and play it on medium to high settings. My game would constantly crash when entering a new town. Every time I would die, or the game would crash, my Arthur would respawn without his hat. Why couldn't Arthur keep his hat on? I have no idea. Either way, all of those issues are fixed.

In the long run, this launch debacle will become a blip in the long history of the Red Dead Redemption franchise — another entry in the long list of games with tumultuous launches and imperfect ports. It's not unplayable like other games, even released this year, have been. This was many people's Game of the Year in 2018; a week of constant patches and updates isn't going to tarnish the series' reputation.

Now that we have that out of the way, let's get into the game.

Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC What I liked

I first started playing PC games more out of necessity than preference — it was more cost-efficient to put money into a proper rig that I could also use for work than to buy a console — but I've become keen on the controls. My aim is more accurate, and I feel like I have more control over slight movements. Being able to hit one key to break into a sprint feels more efficient than clicking on a joystick, or having to hit a trigger button and another one to activate an ability. Being on PC gives you a larger range of play, which is why I stuck with it.

Red Dead Redemption 2 was an already complex game on console. There are so many things the player is capable of doing with that it feels like the system was almost built for the advantages of PC. There's a key for just about every interaction; almost the entire keyboard is utilized. Press "H" to whistle for your horse, press "G" to pet your horse, press the spacebar to read a letter you pick up.

The extensive control scheme does result in some confusion, especially early in the game, as you go through the (extremely long) tutorial. I found myself looking into the control settings a few times to remind myself that "V" wasn't melee like it usually is in other games. There are also some instances where the same action might need different inputs based on the context. Going into different interactions might require different controls -- spacebar in one or "R" in another, for example. This would've been more of an issue if the scenarios where this occurred weren't so minor.

Sometimes, however, the controls can be too complicated, especially when the UI isn't always the clearest. It's tough to tell when you have to click on the left or right mouse, or when you have to tap a button repeatedly to perform an action. This resulted in some more serious mistakes.

Otherwise, the game and the controls just work. With a mouse and keyboard, I find that I can make small adjustments or aim more precisely. Since Red Dead Redemption is the type of game filled with moments where these adjustments can mark the difference between life and death, it feels effective. Dead Eye, the feature that allows you to slow down time and set up shots, is, therefore, more effective.

All of that is made better by how optimized the game is now on PC. Minus the aforementioned launch issues, if you're able to run the game on higher settings, you'll see just how much effort was put into making sure the light reflecting off the water hits your eye just right, or how added detail on vegetation or fauna makes the whole environment look more photorealistic. There isn't any ray tracing here (the technology that uses machine learning to render realistic lighting effects in real-time), but it feels like there is. Rockstar also improved draw distances so you can see even further into the already beautifully-rendered horizon. Even if you have a lower-end PC, you can take advantage of what the PC version has to offer graphically.

A bonus to all of this is the improved photo mode. While the console version had one, it was limited to Arthur's in-game camera. Here, all you have to do is hit F6, and you'll be able to adjust filters, depth of field, angles, and anything else you want. With a click of the mouse, your photo will save, which is a great way to take advantage of how great everything looks.

Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC What I didn't like

Being on PC opens up a whole new world of controls to use and settings to play around with, but it comes at an overwhelming price. It sounds weird to emphasize, but there is just too much.

As evidenced by how much the game gives you to do, Rockstar almost put too much into how you can optimize the game. The settings are numerous and confusing for the less technically minded of us. Red Dead Redemption 2 will attempt to choose the optimal settings based on your PC specs, but it's not exact, so there's still a lot to play around with. For example, I found that dropping the recommended graphics API from Vulkan down to DirectX 12 did wonders for consistency. To ensure the game absolutely did not crash, I also lowered the aspect ratio and resolution. The game still looked great.

Along with all the graphics settings are ones for your controls, where you can redo the key bindings. This is standard in most games, but because there are, once again, so many controls, to fix it up becomes overwhelming, or a case of trial and error. Most of the default key bindings worked for me, or I got used to them, but some — like how Caps Lock is used to activate Dead Eye, aren't optimal.

You'll most likely want to go into these settings too because, unfortunately, the one area where the PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2 suffers a bit is in movement. It always felt heavy, which is in line with Rockstar's mission statement concerning realism, but it feels even heavier here.

I've been thinking a lot about why this is. It seems to come down to how movement works on a PC. Since it's more precise with WASD and a mouse, it means you're making overcorrections more often, which can cause either Arthur or his horse to, for instance, run into a rock and stop dead in their tracks. This isn't always a problem and can be rectified with practice, but it's still a bummer. Combined with the now excellent shooting, Arthur feels like both the greatest sharpshooter in the Old West and a clumsy buffoon who doesn't know how to ride a horse. That disparity can take you out of the experience Rockstar so desperately wants you to feel.

Bottom line

Red Dead Redemption 2 was many players' Game of the Year in 2018 for a reason. Minus issues surrounding how the studio crunched on seemingly unimportant features to get the game out, it's astounding. Its PC port only shows how real that all was. Not only does it look great on the PC, it somehow looks better.

The technological issues at launch put a damper on the whole release, but now that most of them have been fixed, it might be a game worth picking up. With new features and new missions, it might even be worth the purchase for fans who already owned it on a console. There are some weird issues with the controls and settings, but the whole thing adds up to what the game clearly wants to be: an immersive open-world campaign set in the Old West that attempts to recreate the highs and lows of the experience for modern audiences.

Arthur can barely ride his horse to pick up that bounty, but he's still killer with a rifle. And he can ride that clumsy horse that loves to poop into the beautifully rendered horizon. Isn't that what Red Dead Redemption 2 is all about?

What you need to know

• Rockstar Games officially apologizes for the Red Dead Redemption 2 PC launch issues.
• While a lot of issues have been addressed, there are lingering problems for NVIDIA users.
• A complimentary care package is on the way for players.
• You can purchase Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC for $60.

Red Dead Redemption 2 hasn't had the best launch on PC due to some widespread technical issues. Rockstar Games has been releasing patch notes and frequent fixes since launch day, but hasn't publicly acknowledged the problems until today.

The company released a statement on Twitter Wednesday apologizing for the launch, along with a promise that it's working quickly to get the game in running order.

"We sincerely apologize for this temporary inconvenience and will update you as soon as we have more information to share," the statement read. "We want everyone to be able to experience Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC as we intended as soon as possible."

The statement also noted that the team has been "working as quickly as possible to address issues that have impacted the launch" in both the game and in the Rockstar Launcher.

It noted that a lot of the issues have been cleared up, but there are still lingering issues with computers that use NVIDIA graphics drivers or GPUs.

Either way, anybody who plays the game on PC this week through the holidays will receive a gift: a care package for Red Dead Online that includes the Prieto Poncho, provisions, and ammo. More details on the package will release in the future.

You can check out the full statement below.

I've been attempting to play the game since launch and can confirm a lot of these problems. The Rockstar Launcher couldn't open the game. Even if you got that working, the game still might crash due to CPU spikes. Some common fixes involved shutting off your anti-virus software and running the game in adminstrator mode. I'm also still running into issues into Week 2, but I have an NVIDIA GPU.

The fix for computers using NVIDIA components is expected to come along today, so look out for our review of the PC version soon!

What you need to know

• Take-Two has released its Q2 quarterly report, highlighting the performance of various games.
• According to the report, Grand Theft Auto V has sold 115 million units.
• The report also revealed that Borderlands 3 has reached 7 million units sold.
• The Outer Worlds is off to a good start, with performance "exceeding expectations."

Take-Two released its latest quarterly report. In the report, Take-Two noted the sales milestones for multiple games. Borderlands 3 has now sold 7 million units, up from 5 million shortly after release. At the time, it was noted that over 70% of copies sold were sold digitally. Red Dead Redemption 2, which just released on PC, has reached 26.5 million units sold.

Sales juggernaut Grand Theft Auto V continues to perform extremely well and has now sold over 115 million copies, which means the game has sold 5 million copies since May earlier this year. NBA 2K20 has sold over 6 million copies so far, with the strong performance of the title pushing it to the top spot of the September 2019 NPD charts, which also helped the overall quarterly report. Overall net revenue for Take-Two is up 74% year-over-year to $859 million, with net bookings up up 63% to $950 million.

For next quarter, Take-Two is expecting continued performance from these strong titles to continue, while The Outer Worlds will be a major factor. Take-Two noted that The Outer Worlds is "exceeding expectations" so far. The Nintendo Switch version of the game is set to be released sometime before March 31, 2020. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two, said that "Looking ahead, Take-Two has the strongest development pipeline in its history, including sequels from our biggest franchises as well as exciting new IP."

Xbox

Main

• What is Xbox Game Pass?
• Best 4K TVs for Xbox Series X and S
• Must-buy Xbox One Headsets
• Our Favorite Xbox One Wireless Headsets
• Best Upcoming Xbox Games for 2021
• Xbox One X vs. Xbox Series S

I would have loved to be on my way towards a full review of Red Dead Redemption 2 on the PC by now. Alas, that was not meant to be.

The open-world game, which came out in 2018, was finally ported over to PC this week, and the launch, to put it frankly, has been a mess. If you check out our article about all the launch issues, you'll get a glimpse of the kinds of problems I've been dealing with, but it's more than that.

Rockstar launched a game that was fundamentally broken at launch and couldn't be played optimally or at all by a vast amount of players. The sheer size of the game alone could slow down a PC, but to top it off with all these issues is disappointing. A game should be playable at launch, regardless of any other problems.

I pre-loaded the game over the weekend, an approximate 112GB download. I was able to start playing on launch day (the review codes given to the press did not unlock until launch day). However, I spent around three hours trying to get the game to work. I tried everything, from what Rockstar posted on its own support website to tips in forums. In the end, in order to get the game to work at all I had to do just about all of it: turn off my anti-virus software and firewall, run both the launcher and the game in administrator mode, tweak the settings in Task Manager so that the game didn't use every CPU core, verify the integrity of the game files (which required another huge download), mess around with some advanced graphics settings, and run it all in Safe Mode. Running it in Safe Mode meant I had to deal with 640x480 resolution and low settings throughout.

In fact, the only error I didn't manage to get was the one that said Rockstar Game Services were unavailable. At one point, the game crashed so hard that I had to rest both my integrated graphics card and my NVIDIA video card.

This all seemed to come from an issue where the game caused significant CPU spikes. When the game ran normally, it only managed to use about 30% of my CPU. During these other times, however, it used more than 100%.

Even then I was only able to get it up on the lowest settings, which is unacceptable considering how my peripherals compare to the recommended specifications listed on Rockstar's website. I don't have the latest and greatest parts for my rig, but I have a ninth-generation Intel i7-9700K with eight cores, which is double the amount of the i7-4770K, which Rockstar recommends. My CPU is also five years newer than the i7-4770K, which should give you a basic idea of its capabilities. As for my video card, I have an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660, which also trumps the recommended GTX 1060.

I went into this game thinking I'll be able to play it on high to medium settings, only to find I could barely play it at all.

For now, though, things seem to be running as they should. Today I received a 3GB patch, which reportedly fixed the issues I was having with the game crashing due to just having my anti-virus software on. Since Tuesday, Rockstar has released a few updates in an attempt to fix the issues.

I can now run Windows Defender and keep my firewall running. The game will also run at the optimized settings, which on my PC is a mix of high and medium settings throughout.

OK but now the game runs, right?

Now that it actually runs, I can say that the game lives up to the high standards set by the console version. The amount of detail on display is stunning, and it's tough to revel in it on a console. On a PC, you're up close with the graphics and can pick out all the little things that make this world come alive. Not all games need beautiful water reflections or to be able to see the decal on Arthur Morgan's jacket, but it's astounding when you can.

A quick benchmark test (which is built into the graphics settings in the game) said I was getting, on average, a smooth 60 frames per second (FPS). Other advanced options within the game allow you to choose a graphics API. The game crashed when I used Vulkan, but moving it to DirectX 12 fixed those issues, and the performance is similar. If you're lucky, you can run the game in 4K.

A great addition to the PC version of the game is the Photo Mode. Hit a button (F6 by default but you can remap your key bindings) and you can take a picture of Arthur and his crew at any moment, tweak multiple settings, and save it to your computer. You can change the depth of field, give a photo some old-timey filters, and I don't think every game needs a social account, but being able to quickly upload photos to the social club (and it is quite quick) is a bonus.

I'm not too far in the game yet, but the one complaint I have is that there are almost too many controls. This is an issue apparent on consoles, too, since there's a lot you can do in Red Dead Redemption II. It's tough sometimes to keep all my controls straight since I feel like I'm using the majority of my keyboard.

That sums up my thoughts on the game so far: it's a lot. Sometimes this is for the game's benefit since the huge draw of Red Dead Redemption II is its complexity. You can do just about anything in this game, and it pushes the idea of what's possible in an open-world setting. Other times it feels overwhelming, especially when you consider the options.

I also have to wonder if its intensive nature, which requires a good if not great PC rig, is to its detriment. How many people will successfully be able to play the game? If Reddit is any indication, the game runs fine on much lower settings (which I can confirm since I was forced into Safe Mode), so this looks to be a non-issue, but we'll see how it all runs now that everything, you know, works.