Even though Rockstar and Take-Two have already said GTA 6 is a digital-only game, some have held out hope for a disc-based version. A new report says GTA 6 will not have a disc-based version at launch or months after, as some have speculated.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, "There are no plans for Grand Theft Auto VI discs to be printed--not at launch, and not months after."

This came after a fan posted a screenshot of a conversation they said they had with a Rockstar Support agent who informed them, "You will be able to acquire a physical copy during the following months."

GTA 6 won't be on a disc at launch or months after, apparently.

This email was indeed real, THR said, but it's being misinterpreted. The report said the "physical copy" wording was in reference to the physical copies of GTA 6 that will be sold at retailers with a code in the box, not a disc.

The line from the Rockstar Support agent about being able to get a physical copy "during the following months" was described as a "clunky" reference to months after preorders going live on June 25, not the game's November 19 release date.

Why is GTA 6 not releasing on a disc?

There are a number of reasons, experts have said, and many of them come down to Rockstar making more money. No discs also helps mitigate the possibility of the game leaking early. The codes that come in the physical copies do not unlock until November 19 (though preloading begins November 12).

A lot of people love physical media and want to own GTA 6 on a disc, but shipping as a digital-exclusive game won't have any impact on sales overall, experts say. Still, it's a major bummer for people looking to own the game on a disc, even if that disc is merely provides a license that can be revoked at any time.

GTA 6 is releasing with an $80 standard edition and a $100 ultimate edition, the latter of which locks away lots of cool content behind that extra paywall.

The Steam Machine isn't even out yet, though Valve has begun sending out confusing emails about whether people are in the "queue" or on the "waitlist" for the device. That hasn't stopped netizens from doing the inevitable, though: listing their reservations on eBay to make a quick buck.

If you head over to eBay—or GameBay (?), since GameStop really wants to buy the online marketplace—and search for the Steam Machine, you'll see a handful of postings for Valve's upcoming living room PC. The system is already expensive, running between $1050 and $1430 depending on the model, but these listings go for about double the regular price.

The Steam Machine listings GameSpot has viewed so far are all for "confirmed reservations." This means that the eBay seller received one of those perplexing emails from Valve securing their spot in the "queue"—not the "waitlist," which is an important distinction we just broke down. Some of the sellers even state that they'll ship the not-a-console console to you as soon as it ships to them, which could be sometime in early July. It's at a markup, though, with the cheapest going for $1363.70 (now sold) and the most expensive running your wallet a cool $3200.

This isn't all that surprising to see, since this tends to happen with most in-demand or sold-out hardware from the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X to the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Steam Deck. Still, it is kind of curious, particularly since one listing called the Steam Machine "a piece of gaming history." There's no doubt that Valve's upcoming device is fascinating, with early impressions calling it a tiny but mighty piece of gaming hardware. Maybe the hyperbole will help the seller sell their reservation, which is listed for $2600.

With Valve's Steam Machine releasing on June 29, you may be confused as to when you'll be able to actually purchase the not-a-console console. It's a little perplexing, so let us help you make sense of the email you might've just gotten in your inbox.

Valve has begun sending out preorder emails notifying you about the outcome of the randomized drawing you were able to sign up for recently. That email, though, isn't the actual one that allows you to buy the device. Instead, it's a notification telling you whether you'll soon be sent a second email to place an order, or if you'll have to wait for more supply to become available at some point in the future.

What's confusing is the terminology the company's using. If you're in the "queue," you can buy the specific model of Steam Machine within three days of your email. If you landed on the "waitlist," you'll have to wait until more supply becomes available.

This is the email sent to those in the queue, who can place an order soon: "When your Steam Machine 512GB becomes available, we will send you a separate email with the option to purchase. You'll then have 3 days to complete the purchase before we cancel your reservation and move on to the next person in the queue. This is the only email you will receive about the results of the randomization. If you ended up with a reservation queue spot for more than one model, you were allocated a reservation for the highest-end model, and were removed from all the others."

And this is the email sent to those placed on the waitlist: "When we did the one-time randomization of the list, your place in line ended up beyond the number of units we'll have in this production run. As we work our way through the reservation queue, some customers may cancel their reservations. If that happens, you may be moved into the reservation queue, and you'll be notified via email that you have a reservation after all. This is the only email you will receive about the results of the randomization. If you ended up with a waitlist spot for one or more models, you'll be placed on the waitlist for the model that you were closest to the front of."

Early impressions of the Steam Machine sound promising, as it operates as a living room PC that appears to be a novel way into PC gaming. It runs well, runs quiet, and runs small. It also runs your wallet, with prices as low as $1050 and as high as $1430. I hope you have half of a month's rent just lying around somewhere.

With Grand Theft Auto 6 a few months away from blowing up the entire industry on November 19, some retailers appear to be getting antsy, as a new leak floating around online is providing new details about the crime sim.

Posted to the notorious GamingLeaksAndRumors subreddit on June 25, gameplay details on GTA 6 appear to come from the Brazilian version of Amazon. Some of this information doesn't seem particularly new—like the dual-protagonist system or the higher graphical fidelity—but other parts sound kinda enticing ... if it's to be believed.

For example, the supposed leak mentions that this rendition of Vice City is "the most massive, dense, and insane map" developer Rockstar Games has ever created. There will be dangerous swamps, crowded beaches, and realistic suburbs "designed to deliver brutal immersion and total freedom."

The two protagonists—Lucia and Jason, who people speculate are either lovers or siblings—possess unique abilities that "directly influence the criminal ecosystem and the tactical intelligence of the missions." That doesn't sound too dissimilar from the roles the triple characters of Grand Theft Auto 5—Franklin Clinton, Michael Townley, and Trevor Philips—had, but with a bit more impact on the game's narrative development and gameplay interactivity.

What may be most fascinating, though, is the role social networks play in GTA 6. If this leak is true, your in-game phone will allow you to follow Vice City influencers, discover "secret side missions" and "world events," and watch viral videos. So, think TikTok, but in GTA. Maybe RobTok? TikCrime? We'll workshop those names.

This all comes together in a vibrant "living world controlled by artificial intelligence." Vice City, according to the leak, will pulsate in "a hyper-realistic way," with NPCs going about their lives based on advanced AI, creating a more immersive experience that allows you to participate in random events and walk into interactive establishments. It's giving Watch Dogs 2, but with what sounds like "a greater sense of immersion." Take it all with a grain of salt, though.

This leak comes right on the heels of Rockstar Games peeling back the curtain on how much GTA 6 will cost—$80, though there is a more expensive $100 Ultimate Edition—and the fact that you only get a download code in the box instead of a disc. Going download-only makes sense in theory in 2026, but while preorders are now live, people have thoughts about the price. This is especially true following Xbox's upcoming price increase, which now means you gotta be rich to buy GTA 6 and a console come November—if your retailer is even carrying the game, that is.

Ahead of its release next month, Ubisoft has released a playable part of Assassin's Creed Black Flag: Resynced online--playable sea shanties, that is. This is technically correct, which is the best kind of correct. Available online through various streaming platforms, the collection includes all the original shanties from the game, brand-new compositions, and the unreleased rendition of The Parting Glass by Sarah Greene. In total, that's 57 tracks to accompany you on your next voyage.

You can listen to it through the links below, but we all know that you're going to have "The Wellerman" on a loop:

https://open.spotify.com/album/59KZr80YaeZ6bT9Nt1sCY3

• Spotify
• YouTube Music
• Apple Music
• Deezer
• Amazon Music
• Qobuz
• Tidal

The original Black Flag's soundtrack required some work to completely unlock, as dozens of shanties had to be located and caught. Appearing in the game as glowing pieces of sheet music, players had to perform acrobatics to acquire each one, and once in their possession, protagonist Edward Kenway's crew would sing them while players were sailing. You could even take these seaworthy tunes on the go with you, as an Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag companion app synced to the game and downloaded the tracks to your smartphone. Sadly, the app has long been discontinued.

Recorded in Montreal by a group of contemporary folk singers and musicians, the Black Flag soundtrack's catchy collection of sailing songs predated the rise of ShantyTok on TikTok around 2021. Scottish musician Nathan Evans recorded a rendition of The Wellerman that quickly went viral, and it wasn't long before more users began to join in with their own performances. For Black Flag, Ubisoft hired musician and professor David Gossage to produce the in-world music, which was then adjusted to fit the game's time period.

Another interesting fact is that the singers recruited for the shanties had to dial back their singing so that they could sound like sailors, not a well-rehearsed choir.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag: Resynced launches on July 9 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Preorders opened up for the game a few months back, and to kick off the marketing for the Black Flag remake, Red Bull Gaming tasked several athletes with recreating Edward Kenway's signature leaps of faith. 

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced - Standard Edition (PS5, Xbox Series X)

$60 | Releases July 9

Preorder at Amazon View at other stores Preorder at Best Buy Preorder at Target Preorder at GameStop Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Digital Deluxe Edition (PS5, Xbox Series X, PC)

$70 | Releases July 9

Preorder at Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Collector's Edition (PS5, Xbox Series X, PC)

$200 | Releases July 9

Preorder at Amazon View at other stores Preorder at Best Buy Preorder at Target Preorder at GameStop Preorder at PS Direct

Opinions are mixed on some of the changes that the remake will introduce, but overall, it looks like fans can expect a mix of graphical overhauls and quality-of-life updates.

10 Ways Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Differs From Ubisoft’s Original Pirate Adventure View Images

PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S saw a significant drop in unit sales in May, according to new data from Circana.

May's US Video Game Market Notes from Circana Senior Director Mat Piscatella detailed this slump, even as the month otherwise saw a 38% year-over-year increase in hardware spending. Sony sold 58% fewer PS5 units last month than in May 2025, as spending on the console dropped 43% year-over-year.

It was the fewest number of PlayStation consoles Sony has sold in May since May 2000, back when the original PlayStation was its only console on the market in the United States.

Meanwhile, Xbox's units sold fell by 12% between May 2025 and May 2026, making for the worst May performance since the Xbox debuted in November 2001. Oddly, Microsoft still saw hardware spending grow by 7% year-over-year despite the drop in units sold, likely due to the multiple price hikes Xbox consoles have received over the past year.

Generally, it seems the past year of price hikes is finally catching up to PlayStation and Xbox. Circana's data points out that the average price of PlayStation and Xbox hardware has increased by 33% and 22%, respectively. That's now clearly impacting how many people will go out and buy a new console, even in a month of high-profile releases like 007 First Light, Forza Horizon 6, and Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight.

The continued success of the Nintendo Switch 2, which Circana estimates has sold 5.9 million units in North America, ultimately offset the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S' poor performance. Hardware spending increased by 37% between May 2025 and May 2026. When you also factor in video game sales and accessories, spending increased by 3% year over year.

On Bluesky, Piscatella posted that May 2026 "will be last month with HW growth for a… while. Pricing and Switch 2 launch comp will be a nasty combo."

With GTA 6 launching in a few months, Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone's Haunted Chocolatier is teeing up to be the next big "when the heck is it coming out" game. Announced five years ago, Barone has given a few updates and interviews on the status of the game, and in a new blog post, he wrote about the progress on his Stardew Valley follow-up.

"I know it's taking a long time. A big part of that is that I am being very thoughtful about every aspect of the game," Barone wrote. "The things in the game which the player will be interacting with or using very often need to be 'perfect.' They need to be seamless, clear, intuitive, satisfying, aesthetic."

Barone added that he'd spent time recently revisiting the recipe book for making chocolates, adding that this was one aspect of the game in particular he wanted to be flawless. Since this will be a major component in Haunted Chocolatier's gameplay, Barone wants it to present "just the right amount" of data to players that doesn't overwhelm. That's no easy task and a function that most players will likely take for granted, Barone wrote, saying that the process takes several rounds of iterations before he's finally satisfied.

Beyond that look behind the curtain, Barone explained that this process was also one of the reasons why he hadn't shown off much of Haunted Chocolatier at all. "Partly, it feels like I'm serving a half-baked bread. I would rather serve a fully baked bread. Also, I know that many parts of the game will likely evolve and change before release, so if I reveal them early, I risk disappointing players if the final product does not match their expectations," Barone concluded.

Haunted Chocolatier doesn't have a release date yet, but Barone is aiming for his tale of creating sweet treats and running a confectionery store to be a spooky experience. For now, Barone and the rest of his team remain "knee-deep" in development on it.

Best Cozy Games To Cuddle Up With In 2026 View Images

When Xbox Series S launched alongside Series X and PS5, it presented a compelling argument: Play all of the same games as elsewhere, albeit with lesser performance and visuals, for way cheaper. $300 felt surprisingly reasonable, giving you a way to save $100 compared to the cheapest PS5 and $200 compared to the more premium PS5 and Series X models. With the Series S turning six later this year, you'd expect it--like every other console--to get cheaper over time, as has always been the case. But this is 2026, baby. Welcome to hell.

Beginning August 1, Xbox Series S will cost as much as Xbox Series X did at launch in November 2020: $500. Almost six years after launch, the price will have increased 67%. We've already covered news of this Xbox price increase, and yet the reality of Series S now hitting the Series X's nearly six-year-old launch price is one of the most staggering facts of this entire saga. (For now, you can still grab one for $380 on Amazon or in this Best Buy deal, which is more than you would have previously paid but still a hell of a lot better than $500.)

It's the exact opposite direction the price should be going in based on historical precedent. Yet the Series S is, like virtually any piece of modern hardware that needs RAM and storage, faced with price increases due to the AI-driven chip storage--a shortage, it should be noted, that Microsoft has meaningfully contributed to as one of the biggest purveyors of AI products.

Much has been said about the way gaming consoles are arguably pricing themselves out of relevance. Major change is afoot in almost every way--how games are played, made, distributed, and engaged with over longer and longer periods of time. Series S at launch was a much more palatable option for those who are price-conscious, with Microsoft proudly declaring it "the smallest, most affordable next-generation console." 

That might still strictly be true at $500 with other consoles also going up in price, but the reality is, if you're an average person just looking for a cheap way to play something like GTA 6 this fall--or, frighteningly, any point in 2027 or beyond--you're pretty much screwed.

Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex, Mean Girls) has joined the cast for FX and Hulu's upcoming Far Cry anthology series. She is the second confirmed cast member for the show, joining It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's Rob Mac.

Noah Hawley (Alien Earth, Fargo) is the showrunner and executive producer for the Far Cry TV show, while Mac is executive producing the show in addition to starring in it.

Caplan's most acclaimed roles came in Masters of Sex and Fleishman Is in Trouble, for which she earned Emmy Award nominations. She is also known for her role in the Now You See Me series, as well as the controversial movie The Interview.

https://twitter.com/FarCrygame/status/2070221967462928392

Hawley ruffled some feathers recently when he said the traditional gameplay structure of a video game–gameplay and skippable cutscenes--does not make for a compelling TV show story.

Hawley said his aim with the Far Cry show is to "have a dialog" with the franchise but not adapt any specific game or story from the series.

"Games are built in a way that doesn’t make for the best drama," he said.

The Far Cry show will feature a different cast and setting for each season, not unlike other anthology shows like True Detective or The White Lotus. Specific plot details for the show have not yet been confirmed, nor do we know when the show may release.

Following the start of preorders for GTA 6 and the confirmation of its $80 price point, stock analysts have weighed in with their price targets for shares of Rockstar's owner, Take-Two, and many see a bright future ahead.

Although Take-Two's stock price has actually gone down since GTA 6 preorders began, a number of analysts have issued, or reiterated, major gains.

Take-Two's stock is going to surge, analysts say.

Bank of America analyst Omar Dessouky, who said Rockstar should price GTA 6 at $80 to help convince other companies to hike prices as well, has raised his price target on Take-Two stock from $320 to $368. That would be a significant increase from the $233/share that Take-Two is trading at today.

BMO Capital analyst Brian Pitz, meanwhile, increased his target on Take-Two shares from $280 to $285. TD Cowen's Doug Creutz said he's reiterating his Buy rating for Take-Two and a $284 price target. Drew Crum of B. Riley Securities is forecasting a $300 price target, while BTIG's Clark Lampen reiterated his $290 price target. These price targets and related data were relayed by Tipranks.

Take-Two's stock price peaked in 2025 at more than $260 per share, but has fallen since. Year-to-date, Take-Two's stock is down 7% and over the past year, it's fallen by 3%. The stock nosedived all the way down to about $190 in February this year after Google released new AI-based game-making tools. The selloff was foolish, experts said at the time, because AI cannot make sophisticated games or anything that could legitimately compete with GTA 6 or disrupt Take-Two's business in a serious or significant way.

Preorder GTA 6 at Amazon

GTA 6 launches on November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. GTA 6 preorders are finally open on both consoles, and you can choose the $80 standard edition or $100 ultimate edition. There will be no disc-based version of the game, at least at launch.

If you thought today's Xbox price hike was jaw-dropping, it appears that Microsoft is preparing for another one in the next year.

Following the June 25 announcement that Xbox consoles will increase worldwide by $100 and $150 starting August 1 (depending on the model), the company confirmed that 2027 (or maybe 2028) could see the cost of Xbox consoles going up one more time.

"Last October, we increased Xbox console price by $20-$70 in the US." Microsoft wrote in a June 25 Xbox Wire blog. "We hoped another price increase would not be necessary, and we have spent the last several months working with suppliers on options. Unfortunately, console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x, and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027."

This suggests that Microsoft could be planning to jack up the price of Xbox consoles as early as winter 2027. 2028 is entirely viable, too, and while we don't know how much the company plans to increase the cost of Xbox systems, there's the anticipation that another price hike may come in the next couple of years.

This comes not long after Microsoft already bumped the prices of its consoles. A price hike was implemented in May 2025, which saw Xbox consoles increase between $80 and $100 (depending on the model), and another came in October 2025, which pushed up the cost of Xboxes between $20 and $70 (though that was only in the US).

While the ongoing chip shortage is affecting almost every piece of technology--from consoles to laptops to phones--these frequent price hikes are starting to price game consoles out of relevance.