This year marks a major milestone for The Legend of Zelda IP, but one that has seemingly had very little fanfare from its parent company, Nintendo. That all changed today, as Nintendo dedicated a whole Direct broadcast to its long-running tale of heroes in green, mythical items of power, and the titular princess Zelda.

This was mostly focused on the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and the presentation also revealed new celebrations being held around the world. We're also going to be brushing up on our musical skills, as Nintendo is going to sell an Ocarina instrument that you can use in the upcoming remake, which launches in November.

While we didn't get a teaser for the upcoming live-action movie, we did get our first look at the logo for it.

And don't forget, there'll also be a Nintendo Direct on September 9. This one will be longer, at 45 minutes, and it'll be followed by a Treehouse livestream featuring gameplay from select titles.

The Legend of Zelda movie

While we didn't get a trailer, Nintendo did show off the official logo for The Legend of Zelda movie. Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto said that because the film is an original work inspired by the franchise, no additional subtitle was needed. The Legend of Zelda hits theaters on April 30, 2027.

The Legend Of Zelda Movie, Based On The Legend Of Zelda, Is Called The  Legend Of Zelda

Prepare your wallet for Zelda merch

It wouldn't be a Nintendo anniversary without some merchandise! A whole bunch of stuff is on the way, including collectibles, Lego, and more.

Additionally, a 40th-anniversary Zelda exhibition is coming to the Nintendo Museum in Japan.

The Zelda orchestra goes global

Legend of Zelda composer Koji Kondo briefly spoke about the franchise's music and confirmed that a musical anniversary concert tour is headed around the world.

The Legend Of Zelda Anniversary Concert Tour Coming In 2027

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwycnPCK0pA

Looking sharp! The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is getting a major glow-up for its remake. Legend of Zelda game designer Eiji Aonuma showed off several new features for the remake, including the option to jump and dive underwater. So far, the art direction focuses on stylized realism, with characters and locations featuring an incredible amount of detail.

"Processing speeds have come a long way since Nintendo 64, so the actions feel snappier and more satisfying," Aonuma said during a combat sequence.

The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Remake Looks Fantastic In First Gameplay Look

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake release date https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=momx6rC1lyU

The game launches on November 5, because Nintendo has no fear of GTA 6.

Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Remake Release Date Is November 5, Just Before GTA 6

Ocarina of Time remake features motion controls

Remember the Fairy Slingshot from the original Ocarina of Time? It's still here in the remake, but this time, you can use motion controls to aim your shots.

Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Remake Borrows At Least One Mechanic From Breath Of The Wild

Loading screens are still here

Loading screens are an intentional part of the remake, Aonuma said, which is certainly a choice. Anyway, here's what the Hyrule Fields look like in this new version of the game. To get around quickly, you can hold down the A button to tumble and then break into a dash.

The Ocarina Of Time Remake Is Adding Something We Never Saw Coming: Voice Acting

The Ocarina of Time has a unique Switch 2 mechanic

Not only can Link manipulate time with the Ocarina, but it also has an extra feature unique to Switch 2: hum into your Switch 2 microphone, and the Ocarina in the game will replicate the sound.

Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Remake Makes A Big Change To Time Passing

And you can take things a step further

There'll also be two official Ocarina of Time replicas to buy, and the game will recognize your notes when you play it. You'll have two options to choose from: a playable version for anyone wanting to flex their musician muscles and an electric version made by Hori that plays notes or entire songs at the mere press of a button.

The Ocarina Of Time Remake Has The Coolest Use Of The Switch 2’s Built-In Mic

Are you taking Zelda Notes?

The Zelda Notes app is being expanded for the remake. It'll allow players to track their progress, challenge them to find in-game locations using hint images, let them play a virtual ocarina, take a daily quiz with over 2,000 questions in total, and more.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake Amiibo

These two Amiibo will unlock special masks that can be worn in the game.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Switch 2 and accessories revealed

This Zelda-themed Switch 2 console looks pretty spiffy, and it won't be the only piece of Nintendo hardware getting a Hyrule makeover.

Director Zach Cregger is making one of 2026's most-anticipated video game movies in Resident Evil, but don't expect him to make another film based on a franchise again.

Speaking to Deadline, Cregger said, "I'm doing this [Resident Evil], and that's it for me. I'm not going to go tackle any other franchises."

Why? He said it's because he wants to "write whatever I want to write," as opposed to adhering to a specific franchise's history and lore.

"I don’t want to write something where I have to make sure I’m tagging different data points to satisfy X. I just want to satisfy me," he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNd1gb19A-c

Cregger said the "only reason" that Resident Evil made sense for him was because he's a big fan of the games and he came up with what he believes is an original idea for it.

"I think this movie is cool, and I hope it checks the fan boxes because I’m a fan and I’m checking my boxes. I’m making the Resident Evil movie that I wish existed, so I can do that with a clean heart and a clear conscience and not feel like I’m getting f*cked by some weird industry thing," he said.

Cregger also clarified comments he made previously about his story for the Resident Evil movie. Some had theorized that what Cregger meant when he said he came up with an original story for Resident Evil was that he wrote a story and then slapped the Resident Evil name on it. That's not quite the case.

"What I mean is it’s an original story, but it’s still a Resident Evil story. I’m not taking a story from the games; that’s what that means," he said.

Something else that might have convinced Cregger to sign on to write and direct Resident Evil was the money--he was reported to have been paid $20 million.

While Cregger may be finished with franchise movies, he is attached to co-write the upcoming Siren Head movie. Cregger's next movie is The Flood, a sci-fi movie set in deep space.

Resident Evil releases in theaters on September 18, and it's expected to have the biggest opening weekend ever for the movie series.

The big September Nintendo Direct is right around the corner, and so far, the only thing that Nintendo has confirmed about it is that it'll run for 45 minutes. Beyond that, the company is keeping a tight lid on tomorrow's broadcast, where it's expected to make a few big reveals that could help soften the blow of a $50 increase to the Switch 2 console.

That hasn't stopped leakers from making some bold predictions, as one insider claims that we could finally see a new 3D Mario game revealed. Malo932--who correctly predicted the reveal of the recent Star Fox game and the remake of Ocarina of Time--also correctly revealed that two Nintendo Directs were coming this week. Their latest leaks (via Centro Leaks) have teased not only a 3D Mario but also a new Super Smash Bros. game, the return of the Nintendogs franchise, Mario Kart World DLC featuring Fox McCloud in action, and a brand-new Star Fox game.

https://twitter.com/CentroLeaks/status/2096391885191282882

Another prominent leaker, NecroFelipe, has also added that Luigi's Mansion 4 is reportedly in development. That would make for a sizable stack of games from Nintendo, but even if they are real, could we see all of them in tomorrow's Direct? NecroFelipe isn't so sure, as they wrote on X that Nintendo won't play its entire hand in one Direct. Malo932 has also deleted their recent YouTube comments since then and changed their display name to "Stop" (via Kotaku), suggesting that something is afoot. Did Nintendo's lawyers finally close in on them?

We'll have to wait until September 9 to find out, but if previous September Directs are any indication, this year's edition should have plenty of games from Nintendo and its third-party partners to check out. Don't forget, there's also a Legend of Zelda-themed Direct kicking off today.

A new Onimusha game hit PC and consoles last week, and so far, it looks like Capcom has yet another win on its hands. Onimusha: Way of the Sword sold 1 million copies on launch day--bringing lifetime sales for the franchise up to 10 million--which is pretty impressive for a series that has been dormant for the better part of 20 years. Commenting on the early sales milestone, Capcom said that it wants to repeat Onimusha's success with other games that haven't seen a new release in many years.

"In addition to regularly releasing major new titles each year, Capcom is focusing on reactivating IPs that haven't had a new title launch recently," Capcom wrote in a statement. "The company is working to further maximize corporate value by leveraging its rich library of content, including this title."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2sSPdSPvCU

Capcom added that "several marketing initiatives," alongside demos and hands-on exhibitions, also helped spread awareness of the new Onimusha, helping to drive sales. It also helps that the game is genuinely good, with gorgeous visuals and exciting combat that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

As for which games could make the cut, take your pick. I'd argue that Devil May Cry is due a fresh sequel, considering that the last game, Devil May Cry 5, was released in 2019, but Lost Planet, Viewtiful Joe, and Dino Crisis fans might fervently disagree with me--and those are just a few of the games that have been gathering dust at Capcom over the years.

Whatever Capcom does decide to reactivate, it'll land in the wake of a very successful 2026 for the company. Things got off to a hot start with the release of Resident Evil Requiem in February, and the momentum increased with the launch of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection in March and the sleeper hit Pragmata in April.

On top of that, several Capcom games like Street Fighter 6 have continued to enjoy post-launch support, and future releases include Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen in October, a major expansion for Monster Hunter Wilds, and Resident Evil Veronica. We're even getting a first taste of Capcom's reactivation strategy next year, with the launch of Mega Man: Dual Override.

Can you believe that The Legend of Zelda franchise turned 40 this year? It's true, and it's the main focus of today's new Nintendo Direct. The series is in the spotlight, and Nintendo says it'll celebrate its ruby anniversary with a new broadcast that fans will want to check out. Don't forget, there'll also be a Nintendo Direct on September 9, but for now, here's a closer look at how you can watch the Zelda stream.

How to watch the Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct

As usual, you can watch the Legend of Zelda Nintendo Direct on YouTube and Twitch. Once the livestream wraps up, Nintendo typically uploads individual versions of the trailers and footage shown off, all available to watch on its official YouTube page.

• YouTube
• Twitch

Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct start time

Kicking off early on September 8 at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET, this Legend of Zelda Direct will run for around 30 minutes.

• 7 AM PT
• 10 AM ET
• 3 PM BST
• 4 PM CEST
• 11 PM JST

What to expect from the Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct

Nintendo says the presentation will deliver "a variety of information" related to The Legend of Zelda. Beyond that, your guess is as good as ours, but we expect to see a new look at the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, with a closer look at its gameplay, how it differs from the classic Nintendo 64 game, and its release date. A teaser for the upcoming live-action movie ahead of its 2027 release would also be welcome, and if we had to take an educated guess, we'd expect 40th-anniversary limited-edition hardware for the Switch 2, more merchandise drops, and maybe even concert tour celebrations.

And if we're really lucky, maybe we'll finally get an update on two outstanding Legend of Zelda ports: Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD. Considering how Nintendo has brought other Legend of Zelda adventures into the modern era, it's high time that these classics made their way to Switch consoles.

Naughty Dog's first effort to adapt The Last of Us for the screen was not as an HBO TV show, but a movie, a fact that recently began doing the rounds again on social media. Like with many Hollywood productions, The Last of Us had a tumultuous, long development period as a movie before it was ultimately abandoned in favor of what is now a hit series. 

While not everyone agrees with the creative departures from the source material for the TV series on HBO, it's undeniably a success and one of HBO's biggest hits lately. Let's look back at how The Last of Us originated as a movie and run through the key developments that led to it becoming a TV show.

The original movie pitch

People across X recently discovered a post from Sony Pictures in 2014 declaring that The Last of Us was "soon to be a major motion picture." 

This was a real, studio-sponsored image, not a fan mock-up. There was officially produced key art, showing Ellie wielding a knife. There was a "secret panel" at San Diego Comic-Con that year featuring director Sam Raimi, who was originally attached to produce the movie, having already had huge success at Sony with his Spider-Man films.

https://twitter.com/sonypictures/status/492757891229552641?s=46

That The Last of Us was originally going to be a movie is not surprising given how many video game movies came before it and how many have been released since (with varying degrees of success). 

This was a year after The Last of Us came out in 2013. It was a hot property, as the game was a critical and a commercial success for Naughty Dog and Sony. With Sony also owning and operating its own film studio, all the synergies were there for Sony to make a Last of Us film.

Neil Druckmann, who directed The Last of Us game, confirmed in 2014 that the movie would adapt the story of The Last of Us, as opposed to branching off in some other way. At the time, Druckmann said the movie would "take into account the unique properties of film," but he stressed it was early days and the team hadn't yet mapped out how it would condense the game's story into a two-hour film. In 2015, Druckmann confirmed he had written a second draft of the movie's script, which he said contained "pretty big changes" from the source material.

It was also at this time that Druckmann said a table read had already taken place with "a bunch of actors," though he did not name any outright. Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams was said to be a frontrunner to play Ellie, and many people said that casting was perfect. Williams herself confirmed she met with Druckmann and Raimi about it, but remarked at the time that there was no script or director at that point. Williams, who was 17 at the time, also joked at the time that she hoped Sony would make the movie quickly because, "If they make it in 30 years, they can't have a 40-year-old Ellie." Kaitlyn Dever was also considered for the role of Ellie in the film, and, spoiler alert: Dever would go on to play Ellie's adversary, Abby, in the HBO TV show.

Development Hell

Hollywood productions can take a lot of time to come together, and when the production process goes on for an extended period of time, that's known as "Development Hell." The Last of Us movie was yet another example of this unfortunate phenomenon.

In 2016, Druckmann said the movie hadn't progressed for "over a year" at that point. "It kind of entered development hell like these things tend to do," he said. The movie also never had a director signed on, nor was there a cast or a release date.

The Last of Us

This wouldn't be the last time a Naughty Dog film project was subject to development hell, as the Uncharted movie is a very infamous example of this, but that did eventually come together for release in 2022 after a decade of development.

The Last of Us "would have been awful" as a movie

Druckmann said in an interview with Sacred Symbols that movie executives told him to "make it bigger, make it more like World War Z," and he pushed back against this. "Go make World War Z. Why make The Last of Us? The Last of Us is not that," he said. Conversely, Druckmann said HBO boss Casey Bloys told him, "'Do as much action as you need to, and no more. Do as much violence as you need to, and no more. Here, we sell drama.'" 

Druckmann said he got the opposite notes when The Last of Us was envisioned as a feature film. It's not a stretch to imagine this is part of the reason why Naughty Dog opted for a TV show instead of a film, in addition to there being a more supportive and understanding team at HBO to produce and back the show.

Druckmann also said HBO approached the source material with "such reverence and artistry," ensuring Naughty Dog would be involved in the process too. This is not always the case, of course, as the Baldur's Gate TV series at HBO does not involve Larian Studios. Druckmann also mentioned that HBO was supportive of the many changes to the source material that Druckmann and writer/showrunner Craig Mazin made. 

Appearing on Logically Speaking in 2024, Druckmann said the movie version of The Last of Us "would have been awful." He said, "It would have been one of those bad adaptations had we finished that one." 

"You have two hours, max, and the feedback I got was, 'This will lead it down a bad path,'" he added.

In a recent interview with GamesBeat, Druckmann said he changed his mind about how to approach such projects. Whereas in 2014 he said The Last of Us movie would be an adaptation of the game, in 2016, he said Naughty Dog had "evolved our feelings" about adaptations. 

"As time goes on, we are not excited by a direct adaptation of a story for a game into a movie,” Druckmann said. “We have told that story well, cinematically. The idea for The Last of Us film was to be a direct adaptation. I don’t want that movie to be made."

Bella Ramsey as Ellie.

Druckmann indeed got his wish, and that movie was never made. The TV series with HBO, meanwhile, premiered in January 2023, and its first season--starring Bella Ramsey as Ellie and Pedro Pascal as Joel--was a huge success in terms of critical reception and viewership numbers. A second season aired in 2025, and was similarly successful, though not quite to the same degree. A third--and potentially final--season is in the works now, but Druckmann dropped out to focus on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and other projects at Naughty Dog (maybe The Last of Us 3?).

A prolific Japanese game developer has finally addressed all that weird foot imagery in his video games. What? No, I'm not talking about Hideo Kojima (he's busy hanging out with The Backrooms director right now, anyway). I'm referring to Dark Souls and Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki, who has finally addressed online speculation that he is a foot guy.

“It's not necessarily something I’m consistently aware of--maybe it’s something subconscious coming through,” Miyazaki told The Guardian in response to a question about all the hand imagery in his upcoming action-RPG, The Dusbloods. "Take a look online and there’s a rumor that I have a bit of a thing for feet, but I’m not honestly sure where this comes from."

Seriously, stop making it weird.

Though Miyazaki says he's not sure where the idea that he has a "thing for feet" comes from, it's something fans of his games have noticed for years. Whether we're talking The Maiden in Black from Demons' Souls or Priscilla (or Gwunevere, or Sister Friede, or Maneater Mildred) from Dark Souls, it's hard to ignore how many barefoot women are roaming Miyazaki's fictional worlds. Elden Ring's Malenia is rocking bare feet, too, although hers are metal prosthetics. The game's beaches even differentiate between barefoot players and those who are wearing footwear.

So what's with all the shoeless women in Souls games? According to Miyazaki, it's about depicting the human experience. Or something.

"I feel like I’m trying to depict some side of human nature or the human existence that is difficult to describe,” he elaborated.

But regardless of what fans might think, Miyazaki insists this is not a Tarantino situation. And to be fair, plenty of other games are even more foot-focused than Miyazaki's work--and far less subtle about it.

Xbox has announced a new partnership with TCL, which will see the Xbox app added to "select" models from the brand. This means that owners of those TCL TVs won't need to spend $500 on an Xbox Series S or $800 on an Xbox Series X, as they can instead take advantage of the cloud-based gaming features offered as part of a monthly Xbox Game Pass subscription--but only for a few hours per month, before they need to start coughing up some extra cash to buy more hours to play.

If your TCL TV is supported, all you'll need is a Game Pass subscription and an Xbox controller to start playing. Xbox Game Pass also offers a library of games to play, so you'll be good to go once you're signed up and logged in. As a reminder, you'll only get a few hours of cloud streaming depending on which tier of Game Pass you sign up for. The cheapest option, Game Pass Essential, will give you five hours of cloud streaming; Game Pass Premium doubles that number to 10 hours, and Game Pass Ultimate caps out at 15 hours. Pricing for top-up cloud streaming packages has not yet been announced.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN1JlrG2esw

This announcement also comes during a busy time for Xbox, as its next big first-party game is Gears of War: E-Day. It arrives after a busy year for the gaming brand, which saw 75 day-one releases through its subscription program. More Game Pass titles are also on the way in September, with Speedrunners 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War headlining the first wave of new arrivals.

TCL TVs are typically positioned as budget-to-mid-range sets, which could potentially give Xbox exposure to millions of consumers who wouldn't normally buy one of their expensive consoles. The Azure servers that Xbox uses for streaming games belong to its parent company, Microsoft, and these have started to turn a tidy profit for the company. Microsoft recently reported $29.4 billion in Azure server sales for the last quarter, but Amazon Web Services still eclipses those numbers with $42.2 billion in quarterly revenue.

Not one, but two Nintendo Directs are coming next week. Nintendo has confirmed that a Legend of Zelda Direct will be held on September 8 at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET, and it'll be followed by a Nintendo Direct on September 9 at the same times. The Legend of Zelda: 40th Anniversary Direct will run for 30 minutes, while the Nintendo Direct is scheduled to run for 45 minutes. For a closer look at the games shown off, you can also tune in to a Nintendo Treehouse livestream after the Nintendo Direct, which will run for roughly 110 minutes.

Rumors of a Nintendo Direct began picking up earlier this week after Ubisoft announced that a new look at Just Dance: Decades of Hits was on the way. It's worth noting that the publisher announced it for September 10, but given how often Just Dance games appear in Nintendo broadcasts, it was assumed this would be the date of a Nintendo Direct. With Nintendo hosting a September Nintendo Direct almost every year for the past decade--with 2024 being an exception--it looked like it was only a matter of time before the broadcast was officially announced.

https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/2095874535740309635?s=20

As for what you can expect, Nintendo is keeping its lips zipped for now. Last year's September Direct was focused on several first-party games, smaller third-party titles, and the surprise reveal of a new Virtual Boy headset designed for Switch consoles, so we're guessing that it'll be more of the same for 2026. Following the release of the Switch 2 in 2025 and a steady stream of first-party games, 2026 has been slower by comparison, so here's hoping we get to see what new experiences Nintendo is working on. Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is out later this month, so we'll probably get a new trailer for the turn-based tactics game.

When it comes to The Legend of Zelda, it feels like Nintendo has barely acknowledged that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the beloved hero in green, but this could be a prime time to show what's on the horizon. The remake of Ocarina of Time was announced several months ago, and there's also the upcoming live-action movie--so a teaser trailer wouldn't be unwelcome. If we're lucky, we might even get confirmation that The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD is finally coming to Switch consoles.

As the platform that gets the lion's share of PC game sales, Steam naturally makes a lot of money every year from commissions, publishing fees, and more through its storefront. But how much cash has it made so far in 2026? Unsurprisingly, enough dough to buy Valve co-founder Gabe Newell a few more superyachts. According to the head of market analysis at Alinea Analytics, Rhys Elliot, Steam has made $15 billion in 2026, and with a massive period of high-profile game releases around the corner, that number is likely to surge even higher before the year is over.

Steam's top releases by gross revenue include AAA games and breakout indie hits, with Forza Horizon 6 leading the charge. The new racing game earned Steam $210.5 million in revenue, while Crimson Desert sales were responsible for $203.3 million, Resident Evil Requiem made just over $200.9 million, and Slay the Spire 2 brought in over $148 million. Rounding out the list is Subnautica 2 at $139.2 million and Meccha Chameleon at $89.8 million.

https://twitter.com/superhys/status/2095562045185822951

That's a lot of cheddar, but it only counts for 6.6% of the $15 billion that Steam has made so far. Elliot noted that the top 100 new games by gross revenue make up 15.9% of Steam's total 2026 revenue so far--around $2.4 billion. Crimson Desert is also doing a lot of heavy lifting, as it accounts for about 18% of all new-IP revenue in the top 100. "Of the new-game top 100, 63% were actually new IP, but 52.5% of the revenue ($1.25B) came from established IP," Elliot wrote. "But it’s worth noting Crimson Desert, with its $203M, accounts for about 18% of all new-IP revenue in the top 100. When we take Crimson out of the analysis, the 62 new-IP games make up only about 39%. So yeah, a lot of established IP is doing the legwork, as you'd expect."

Looking ahead, Steam's coffers can expect an influx of cash from highly anticipated releases like Phantom Blade Zero, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and Gears of War: E-Day, just to name a few. Valve gets a cut from whatever is sold on Steam, including the lucrative microtransactions and DLC that accompany most games these days. Elliot also spoke to GameSpot recently about what goes into a game price tag as part of our Cheap Week deep-dives.

What's the biggest question about Grand Theft Auto 6? Easily Rockstar's plans for GTA Online, and how it'll factor into the post-launch plans of GTA 6. Considering just how consistently popular GTA Online has been for the developer, it is strange that Rockstar has yet to publicly comment on the anticipated multiplayer mode, as it has so far only focused on talking about the "single-player experience" of GTA 6. And that could be a major problem for the franchise.

As Valve veteran Chet Faliszek pointed out, Rockstar might be caught between a rock and a hard place. GTA Online continues to be a big money-maker for Rockstar and its parent group, Take-Two Interactive, but moving people to a GTA 6 online mode is a challenging prospect. As Faliszek explained, a lot of GTA Online players are heavily invested in the game, and thanks to GTA 5 regularly going on sale--or being given away for free through various programs--access to it has been cheap and easy.

"What are they going to do? That's a mess. We can all look through recent history--without pointing fingers--and see some people who did it by total replacement. We can see people who tried to win people over, and when that didn't happen, shut down the other thing," Faliszek said.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/21mhuwI60Tk

Rockstar and Take-Two would likely want to move people over to the new GTA Online as soon as possible, but forcing people to make a fresh start could be an uphill battle. As people have pointed out, major updates for GTA Online could slow as Rockstar instead focuses on GTA 6, which would be a slow death for the groundbreaking mode.

Whatever choice Rockstar makes, it won't please everyone. There are a few approaches Rockstar could take--like making GTA 6 Online a separate experience that exists alongside GTA 5 Online--but there's no one-size-fits-all solution for this brewing problem. In other GTA 6 news, fishing and hunting has been radically changed for the game, there is such a thing as too much crime in the game, and the game is making big changes to how you steal cars. GTA 6 launches for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19.

Carjacking in Grand Theft Auto games has been, as the title denotes, a staple of the series. Up until now, it's largely been the same. While there have been more details and animations added over the years, the premise has remained that you'll walk up to a car, press Y or Triangle, throw the driver out, get in and drive away. If the car was parked, you'd execute the same button press to smash the window and steal it. With GTA 6, carjacking is getting a complete overhaul. Here, we've got all of the information we know so far on how to steal cars in GTA 6.

There are two ways to steal a car: taking one that's stationary, or taking one that someone's driving around in. However, there are more details that make GTA 6 feel more like true simulation gameplay now.

How to steal a parked car

As we saw in the GTA 6 extended look gameplay, when Jason approached a car, he had multiple options to choose from. The first option is a slim jim--a classic tool used to break into older vehicles. It slides down the window frame to adjust the lock, and in GTA 6, it seems like this is done via a lockpicking minigame. However, based on what we've heard so far, that won't work for every car. Depending on the year and model of the vehicle, you might not be able to use a slim jim.

However, newer and more expensive cars might not work with this method. On top of that, there are trackers, meaning that the police can track your location when you steal a car. This changes the whole carjacking aspect of Grand Theft Auto. Normally, if you'd steal a car, you might catch some heat; maybe a nearby police officer sees you and follows you, but it's pretty easy to get away cleanly. This time, that isn't the case.

If you do want to get away cleanly, you need an item to disable the tracking device. It seems like that item, along with the slim jim, is not something you start out with, meaning you'll need to progress through the story or complete side objectives to obtain them.

Another interesting thing about the tracker is that apparently if you drive fast enough, the cops won't be able to track you. That adds an extra element of tension, because if you slow down and try to play it safe, they'll know exactly where you are and you'll need to get moving right away.

Stealing cars isn't as straightforward as it used to be. How to steal occupied vehicles

In some cases, driven vehicles aren't locked, so you'll be able to just walk up and open the door. It seems like there's a quick time minigame to complete, which will wrestle the driver out of the car, and then you can drive away. If there is a passenger, they will also try to prevent you from stealing the car. However, just because you steal a car doesn't mean the cops can't track you--the tracker is still there and you will need to find a way to disable it.

Vehicle security and impound lots

How do you know what kind of security a given car on the street has? The app Waink allows you to scan vehicles, and it'll tell you the security systems on board as well as how much it'll cost to register it as your own vehicle.

One other interesting detail about registered vehicles that was in one of TGG's videos is that if you ditch one of your own cars while you are wanted, the police will set up a perimeter around your car so that if you return to it, in theory, they will be waiting for you. If you wait too long, they will impound it. This leads to some interesting gameplay implications. Perhaps you'll have to sneak into the impound lot to retrieve it, or if you have the money, you could show up and pay the fee before driving off.

There's certainly something deeper going on with the Grand Theft Auto mechanics we've known for years. Supposedly, when you start the game you won't have access to a lot of these tools. You won't be able to instantly steal cars; you'll have to progress to that point. It seems like better vehicles will slowly be introduced throughout the game.

You'll have to pre-plan your robberies a little more.

If you want better vehicles, you'll have to work for them, whether that's through stealing or more legitimate means. This also leads to interesting repercussions when it comes to robberies and other activities. You'll want a fast getaway car--previously, you could just acquire the nearest suitable one, but in GTA 6 you'll have to plan ahead. If a nearby car is parked, you might not have the equipment to stealthily steal it. Even if you do, maybe you don't have the gear to remove the tracker, which will bring more heat on you.

This means that robberies need to be pre-planned. Perhaps Jason or Lucia will be on watch with a vehicle, so the other character can run out, hop in, and drive away. Maybe you'll choose a vehicle as your getaway car early on, steal it, park it nearby, and then complete the robbery knowing you have a method of escape.

GTA 6 is bringing about many more changes for the series. While many thought Jason and Lucia would be in a romantic relationship, it turns out that's not actually necessary. The game has also removed the need to button mash to sprint--something I've been desperate for.

Writer-director Neil Druckmann dropped out of HBO's The Last of Us TV show to focus on Naughty Dog's gaming output, including Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. In a new interview, he said Season 3--which, again, he had no direct involvement in, will "wrap up" the series. He also revealed that, unlike Seasons 1 and 2, Naughty Dog "did not have a creative role in the direction" of Season 3.

Druckmann said this to The Washington Post, confirming, "I wasn't involved in shaping this season's creative direction," nor was Naughty Dog involved. "So I can't personally speak to how production is progressing," he said.

The Last of Us ending after Season 3 would be no surprise, as HBO management said that would likely happen. Druckmann was very closely involved in Seasons 1 and 2; he co-wrote some of the episodes and directed two.

Druckmann went on to say that Naughty Dog remains "the steward of this IP" and even though the HBO show might be coming to an end, he teased, "We're not done with The Last of Us."

He went on to say, "There's a couple projects in the works that, when the time is right, I'm very excited to talk about."

Bella Ramsey as Ellie.

This isn't the first time that Druckmann has teased future The Last of Us projects. Earlier this year, he said there are "a few stops that remain on the road ahead" for the series.

Druckmann has heavily teased that a third The Last of Us game might be on the way. We also know that Naughty Dog has had at least two new games in development since 2023, one of which is Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet–the other is a mystery. Naughty Dog had significant resources dedicated to The Last of Us Online, but the project was ultimately canceled.

Troy Baker, meanwhile, who played Joel in the game series, said this year that, "I definitely know we've not seen the last of Joel."

With BlizzCon just a week away, there's new reason to believe that some kind of StarCraft news is on the way. Various visual elements on the official StarCraft website are now glitching out in a way that looks much more "hey fans, get excited" than "alert the engineering team that we've got a problem."

The glitches were flagged on Bluesky by John Carson, and they specifically appear on the section of Blizzard's website advertising 2017's StarCraft Remastered, rather than StarCraft II. The glitches see certain images and text become briefly distorted, though to my eye, there is nothing specific to glean from them. 

An example of the StarCraft site glitches

But this sudden marketing stunt feels noteworthy given that the StarCraft franchise has largely been dormant for years. 2026 has brought rumors that something is afoot: The publisher behind Arc Raiders was said to be working on a StarCraft shooter that would be revealed at BlizzCon. More recently, a report from The Chosun Daily claimed that Nexon was seeking the rights to develop a new RTS, possibly StarCraft III.

That anything is happening with StarCraft could come as welcome news to fans of the franchise. StarCraft II was released in three main components between 2010 and 2015, and other than the subsequent remaster of the original, no new games in the series have been released or even announced. As Blizzard's focus shifted to maintaining WoW and Diablo, as well as developing Overwatch, it wasn't terribly surprising to see its more niche real-time-strategy series fall by the wayside, but it was no less disappointing: The StarCraft games are among the best strategy games ever, and fans were already tortured through years of hoping the canceled StarCraft: Ghost spin-off would ever see the light of day.

StarCraft II did get a sizable update earlier this year, which might have been part of an effort to begin to revitalize interest in the franchise as Blizzard prepares to bring it back. Should that come solely in the form of the rumored shooter, that would come as a blow to those wanting to see Blizzard return to the strategy genre that it has otherwise abandoned (first with Warcraft, and then with StarCraft). Were that complemented by a new Nexon-developed RTS, it might soften the blow, though the lack of Blizzard's direct influence might undercut the excitement such an announcement would otherwise produce, but beggars can't be choosers, after all. 

BlizzCon's opening ceremony is set to take place on 10:30 AM PT / 1:30 PM ET on Saturday, September 12. If there's life in the StarCraft franchise, it feels like a sure thing that we'll see some sign of it there. If not, somebody call StarCraft's webmaster.

The D&D Icons initiative, led by actor and longtime D&D fanatic Joe Manganiello, brings today's Dungeons & Dragons game together with famous series creators of the past, like author R.A. Salvatore's The Legend of Drizzt. But things aren't going to be strictly limited to classic fantasy settings, Manganiello has teased.

Speaking to GameSpot's Jessica Cogswell at Gen Con 2026, Manganiello stressed that modern-day settings could be part of the Icons program, too.

"There [are] also lots of other things that I want for Icons in the future," he said. "I think that there's a great present-day game that pushes genetics and military. We're moving at such a rapid pace, but I think there could be a game that takes place in our modern world. There are also some other worlds of D&D that I think could be revisited in new and exciting ways that weren't maximized their first time around."

Manganiello, whose official title is chief creative officer, is keeping specifics secret for now, but it sounds like, for fans of more modern fantasy adventures, D&D Icons could be for you. Could something futuristic like Halo or Horizon: Zero Dawn make sense for the D&D ruleset? Only time will tell, but it could open up the D&D experience to an even wider audience. Wizards has experimented with more modern content in the past, so it's not unprecedented.

Gundam Rogue Orbit is a break from tradition for Bandai Namco, as new entries in the franchise typically debut as an anime series first, then as a line of collectible model kits. But this Gundam is arriving first as a video game--one that was shown in more detail today during the September PlayStation State of Play broadcast. If you're a Gundam fan, fret not, because at least one part of the traditional Gundam experience is being kept intact if you buy the $160 Rogue Orbit collector's edition.

Gundam Rogue Orbit Collector's Edition

Like other special editions from Bandai Namco, Gundam Rogue Orbit combines a physical copy of the game with a few physical in-game goodies. It's the inclusion of a High-Grade model kit based on the new Gundam Helix mobile suit that could make this collector's edition sought after, as it will be exclusive to the game. Gundam model kits aren't usually hard to come by as Bandai Namco regularly keeps store shelves restocked with them, but the HG Helix model looks like a rare exception to that rule.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiPllyLIvSo

If you are planning to grab one, it's worth noting that HG Gundam model kits are 1/144-scale figures and are designed to appeal to casual builders with their moderate detail, minimal foil stickers, and durable design. You won't need too many tools to build one either, and the Helix design features a lot of panels and other mechanical details, so that could be a nice kit to build. The new trailer for the game also teased other shells that you can apply to the Helix to shake up its look, including an RX-78-2 skin and a red Zaku-inspired look that would make Char Aznable proud.

Aside from the model, you'll also get a poster, reversible cover art, a pack of five promo cards, a steel case for the game disc, and DLC that includes 14 different color patterns for the Helix in the game. You won't have to wait too much longer to play it, as Gundam Rogue Orbit launches on March 5, 2027, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Microsoft has made a big announcement about one of the big perks of Xbox Game Pass, cloud streaming, and the news is not great.

Starting in November, Microsoft will put limits on how many hours per month people can use the service, and then allow people to pay more to unlock more time. Below is a breakdown of how many hours you'll get included with the tier of Game Pass you're subscribed to:

• Game Pass Ultimate: 15 hours
• Game Pass Premium: 10 hours
• Game Pass Essential: 5 hours

Microsoft said it understands this is a "meaningful change," especially for those who use the cloud regularly for gaming. However, the company said it estimates that these changes will impact about 4% of Game Pass subscribers, though the company did not share any specifics on how it arrived at that projection.

A first look at the "cloud playtime remaining" UI on Xbox.

For people who want or need more monthly streaming hours, Microsoft will allow people to buy more--but pricing was not announced.

Additionally, Microsoft said that in November, for the first time, people will not need to have an Xbox Game Pass membership to stream games with the cloud. People outside of Game Pass will be able to buy cloud playtime through the Xbox Store, though, again, pricing was not shared. Microsoft said this option is meant to appeal to people who don't want to subscribe to a recurring membership like Game Pass and only want "occasional access."

"We’re introducing this model because the cost of providing cloud gaming grows as more people use it and play for longer. Moving to monthly limits allows us to keep offering the service while continuing to invest in its reliability and performance. We understand that for some players the practical result is a higher cost," Microsoft said. The company added that it will "listen closely" to player feedback and make adjustments if necessary.

Xbox's cloud gaming service runs on Azure servers, and the Azure business is booming. For the first time ever, Microsoft just revealed how much money it makes on Azure quarterly, and the latest numbers showed $29.4 billion in sales. As relayed by Reuters, that's behind Amazon's latest quarterly revenue for AWS of $42.2 billion but ahead of Google's $24.8 billion cloud business results.

Dungeons & Dragons is no stranger to crossovers with other IP, and a collaboration with Blizzard's World of Warcraft also already on the way. However, that may not be the only Blizzard crossover we get in D&D, as both Wizards of the Coast and Blizzard teased recently.

Speaking to GameSpot's Jessica Cogswell during Gen Con 2026, head of Dungeons & Dragons Dan Ayoub made it clear that he would love a StarCraft crossover.

"I will say this, since I am sitting here with [World of Warcraft VP] Holly Longdale, who is super persuasive and has cool stuff: I think StarCraft would be badass," Ayoub said. "As I said earlier today, I quite literally almost flunked out of university because of StarCraft. That one gives me the feels."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yMOZlYqsnY

The two exchanged conspiratorial smiles before Longdale replied, “Hmmm. I think we should talk. I know a guy." Ayoub laughed, then added, "I think I know where to find you."

Blizzard was not giving any more details on a potential StarCraft crossover and at this point, it’s not clear if it’s even officially in the works. However, their coy nature discussing it has us very intrigued.

Prior to that, we'll get to see how D&D and World of Warcraft work together. D&D: World of Warcraft is out November 17, featuring 30 dungeon bosses, seven dungeons, 60 new spells, and more.

Dungeons & Dragons fans will soon be exploring the dangerous lands of Azeroth, as World of Warcraft is coming to the tabletop game. Wizards of the Coast (WotC) and Blizzard have gone all-out with this crossover, as not only does it feature multiple World of Warcraft classes and six additional subclasses, but also various specializations, spells, items, and enemies. That sounds like a dream pairing between two titans of the fantasy genre, but could we see Dungeons & Dragons make an appearance in World of Warcraft's digital realms?

WotC isn't saying anything official right now, but in an interview at Gen Con with GameSpot's Jessica Cogswell, Head of Dungeons & Dragons Dan Ayoub and VP of World of Warcraft for Blizzard Holly Longdale were certainly teasing something. "I cannot say at this time," Longdale said. "Not at this time. This is a grand experiment. I am really excited to see where it goes."

"As we exchange knowing glances," Ayoub added.

Dungeons & Dragons; World of Warcraft

If a reciprocal crossover is in the pipeline, then it'll most likely be revealed at BlizzCon later this month. Blizzard's big event for all of its games typically kicks off with a grand-opening ceremony--this year's one will be on September 12--and dedicated panels will be held over the weekend for its games. That same day, World of Warcraft will be in the spotlight, as Blizzard will host a 45-minute "What's Next" panel for the game on the main stage, which does suggest some big news. On September 13, that panel will continue on the main stage as the development team previews upcoming adventures, features, and updates.

World of Warcraft might not be the only Blizzard franchise coming to Dungeons & Dragons, as Ayoub teased that StarCraft would also be a dream addition to the tabletop game. "I know a guy," Longdale said in response. While WotC continues to introduce new IP to Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, Ayoub also stressed that the core games won't be sidelined in favor of Universes Beyond crossovers.

Revealed during today’s State of Play presentation, Pearl Abyss has confirmed that Crimson Desert’s first major expansion will be launching in October. It not only adds a new region and plenty of new narrative surprises, but also gameplay features that pull from the most unlikely of places. If the reveal trailer is any indication, Crimson Desert could soon be a life sim that gives The Sims a run for its money. 

In Chartering the Unknown, players can expect underwater combat in which you pilot submarines, ride sharks, and use a jetpack to propel yourself through the beautiful ocean blue. In classic Crimson Desert fashion, it looks absolutely ridiculous, with no rhyme or reason to its mechanical intentions or oddball art design. But that willingness to try so many things, regardless of how they turn out, is part of what makes Crimson Desert so charming. 

Other unexpected additions coming to the paid expansion include Assassin’s Creed-esque naval combat, giant underwater dragons, and a new narrative threat that seemingly revolves around an unexplored location far beyond the Crimson Desert. Players can likely expect a new region dominated by a huge body of water, and a city in which abused workers are beginning to rebel against their leaders. Nothing about it makes sense, but players have come to expect that from Crimson Desert by now. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fQCPmH6kOg

But one of the most exciting things coming to the game as part of Charting the Unknown is the ability to construct your own buildings and fill them with whatever you like. The trailer is focused primarily on erecting what appears to be a massive castle outside the city, showcasing its evolution from a foundation in the ground to a formidable stone fortress. There is even plenty of scaffolding, which gives off the impression you will be able to climb buildings while they’re being constructed or perhaps help out with the assembly yourself. 

The trailer then transitions to the interior of a completely different building, where the player is using an interface to place walls just like you would in The Sims or Paralives. This isn’t just an open-world action-adventure game anymore; it’s a borderline life sim where you can construct a series of rooms, place furniture, and, thanks to the forthcoming update, start up a romance with one of the game's numerous NPCs.

Towards the end of the trailer, we see protagonist Kliff Macduff getting on his knees and offering a lovely bouquet of flowers to an NPC, suggesting that more robust romance options could soon be coming to Crimson Desert. If you’re adding all the other ingredients of life sims, obviously it makes sense to let our hero fall in love and settle down. 

It’s likely the expansion is hiding plenty of secrets we’ll have to wait until launch to discover. It also gives you the option to hire employees, each with different statistics and roles, so you might want someone with particular skills to run the castle kitchen or a smart-talking fella to act as your castle’s traveling merchant. The presence of attack and defense stats gives off the impression that there will also come a time to defend your castle from outside forces. It wouldn’t be surprising if the presence of a pirate ship also asks that players assemble their own crew, which could come from your castle, or vice versa. 

Crimson Desert: Chartering the Unknown

The Chartering the Unknown expansion follows in the footsteps of countless free updates that have utterly transformed the ambitious open-world game since it arrived earlier this year, with the most recent patch adding several narrative-focused cutscenes to its once lightweight main story.

Crimson Desert has proven itself to be quite polarizing since its release, with critics arguing it does too much mechanically and far too little narratively. However, this throw everything at the wall attitude also makes it impossible to look away when an expansion like this comes around. Nobody expected it to suddenly transform into a life sim where you can make a castle and fall in love, yet here we are.