Obsidian Entertainment is renowned for their masterful storytelling, delivering unforgettable RPGs. Now they’re bringing us a new adventure with Avowed, a first-person fantasy RPG set in the world of Pillars of Eternity. Launching day one on PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate, this brand-new adventure invites players to explore a rich, untamed world filled with danger, magic, and mystery.

Avowed takes players to the Living Lands, a remote and enigmatic island brimming with adventure and secrets. As an envoy of the distant kingdom of Aedyr, you’re tasked with investigating a mysterious plague spreading across the land. But what begins as a mission of duty quickly transforms into something deeply personal as you uncover a long-buried secret that ties you to the fate of the Living Lands itself.

The combat in Avowed offers something for everyone. Whether you want to wield powerful spells, master melee weapons like swords and shields, or take a tactical approach with bows and firearms, the game lets you craft a playstyle that fits your vision of a hero. You can summon elemental magic to trap, burn, or freeze enemies, clash head-on with brutal melee attacks or strike from a distance with precision. Every battle is designed to be dynamic, rewarding creativity and strategy in equal measure.

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Nintendo has officially announced that its Gold Points rewards program will soon be discontinued, as the loyalty service will end on March 25, 2025. Originally introduced as a method to earn a discount on purchases through the Switch eShop and the official Nintendo website, Gold Points are currently acquired by purchasing digital or physical copies of games.

According to Nintendo, any points earned before the cut-off date will still be usable and will remain valid for 12 months after they've been earned. This includes digital purchases and preorders made on or before March 24, and physical games can still be registered for Gold Points rewards so long as the game is released by March 24.

The company also confirmed that Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers will not be redeemable for Switch 2 games, and there's no word yet if a new points system will be introduced to replace the outgoing service. As for why Nintendo is discontinuing the loyalty program, it hasn't given a concrete answer yet in its official announcement.

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Going forward, Microsoft will be showing PlayStation and Nintendo logos along with the Xbox logo during its future gaming showcases.

"But I just want to be transparent with people, for shipping on Nintendo Switch, we’re gonna put that [logo]. For shipping on PlayStation, on Steam," Xbox boss Phil Spencer said in an interview with Xbox Era. "People should know the storefronts where they can get our games, but I want people to be able to experience our Xbox community in our games and everything we have to offer, on every screen we can."

He explained that discussions to add these logos took place in June, but by the time Microsoft made its decision, the assets weren't ready. He also reiterated Xbox's multiplatform strategy, as it allows Microsoft to create bigger games while also supporting its own hardware and platform services.

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Bethesda has announced a partnership with the Make-A-Wish charity whereby one person will be able to work with the developer to design a character who will appear in The Elder Scrolls VI.

Anyone can enter the auction for a chance, and the current high bid at the time this story was published was $11,650, so you're going to need deep pockets to win this one. All the proceeds go to Make-A-Wish, so your money is going to a good place and you'll have a chance to make a character alongside Bethesda, and many would agree that's a pretty incredible opportunity."

Whatever character this turns out to be, it could be joined by Skyrim Grandma, who is rumored to appear in The Elder Scrolls 6.

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Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has discussed why he's no longer trying to get all PlayStation and Nintendo players to come over to Xbox and is instead trying to meet players where they are.

"I'm not trying to move them all over to Xbox anymore," he said on the XboxEra podcast (via VGC). "We're all so invested in where our games are; let's just allow more people to play."

Spencer said it is important to invest in Microsoft's own platforms, in part because it makes a full 100% of revenue from first-party game sales, compared to 70% on PS5 and Switch, with the other 30% going to PlayStation and Nintendo, respectively. But even at 70%, that's "helpful to us being able to build great portfolios," Spencer said.

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Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater has long been considered the best game in the stealth-action franchise, and this year, a remake is aiming to bring the beloved game into the modern era. First revealed during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater retains the jungle survival gameplay of its PS2 source material, as well as its tight political plot, heartbreaking betrayals, and an origin story that shows how the legendary soldier Naked Snake earned the codename of Big Boss.

After combing through official assets, social media, and Konami data, we've managed to piece together an early look at the Snake Eater remake that's currently in development.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater release date

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater will be released on August 28.

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During the championship weekend of the Six Invitational, Ubisoft has announced that it will be revealing a new era of Rainbow Six Siege on March 13 at the Siege X Showcase in Atlanta, Georgia. A new attacker operator named Rauora, who hails from New Zealand, will also join Rainbow Six Siege.

The teaser for the big upcoming Siege update describes it as the game's "biggest transformation" yet. This will include both graphical and audio improvements, as well as "deepened tactical gameplay," although no specifics were shared. Additionally, Ubisoft said there will be "new ways to play," but again didn't say if that would come in the form of new game modes or something else.

Rauora will be available to play at the start of the upcoming Year 10 Season 1 as part of the Operation Prep Phase battle pass, and will be unlockable with Renown or R6 credits after two weeks.

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Ristar is celebrating its 30-year anniversary today, February 16, 2025. Below, we make the case that despite Sonic's breakout celebrity, Ristar really deserved to be the face of Sega.

It's fair to say that Mario will likely always sit on the throne as the most iconic video game mascot of all time, but Sonic the Hedgehog certainly gave him a run for his money back in the '90s. The lovable 'tude and blistering speed of the Blue Blur made him a cultural figure par excellence in the days of the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis, and you can even argue that his signature velocity defined the idea of that Sega console in the average gamer's mind. That said, Genesis fanatics are well aware that Sonic isn't even the best platform star on his own console. That honor belongs to Ristar, who Sonic kneecapped like a coward 30 years ago so he could stay on the treadmill of producing endlessly mediocre spin-offs with no substance or new ideas.

Okay, that is a bit harsh to Sonic--it's not his fault that Sega has dropped the ball with his games since roughly the turn of the century, with a few notable exceptions. But while Sonic's signature speed and beautiful pastel aesthetics never quite made the transition to 3D, mechanics-focused indie platformers similar to Ristar have continued to find an audience, from the gravity flip of VVVVVV to the no-jump gimmick of Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom. In this way, Ristar was a swinging star-man ahead of his time, and it's unfortunate that Sega didn't realize that.

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Manga publisher Kodansha is launching the next entries in the Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition manga series with Deluxe Edition 7 and Deluxe Edition 8 later this year. Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 7 is currently scheduled to arrive on May 6 and is priced at $49.50, while Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 8 will land on August 5 and is priced at $55. Preorders for both releases are now available at Amazon.

Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 7 $49.50 (was $55) | Releases May 6

Like the previous releases, Vinland Saga Deluxe Edition 7 and Deluxe Edition 8 are oversized 7 x 10" format books. Both volumes are roughly 600 pages long and include several exclusive sketches and drafts from illustrator Makoto Yukimura that you won't find in the other manga editions.

Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 7 covers volumes 19-21 of the original manga and features a dark green leather-patterned cover with stamped Norse runes. Preorders are discounted to $49.40 at Amazon (normally $55) ahead of its May 6 release date.

Preorder at Amazon Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 8 $55 | Releases August 5

Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 8 contains volumes 22-24 and launches on August 5. In the manga source material, these are the volumes that wrapped up the Eastern Expedition arc and saw the start of the Vinland story arc. While the final cover art has not been revealed, we assume it will match the style of the other Deluxe Editions with its own unique color. Preorders are available for $55 at Amazon.

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Vinland Saga is a critically acclaimed manga series that started back in 2005. The series initially covered the journey of Thorfinn, a young warrior who had joined up with a band of mercenaries so that he could get revenge on its leader, Askeladd, for the death of his father. While these early storylines were action-heavy tales of intrigue and war, Vinland Saga would evolve and use these bloody tales to ask questions about the nature of conflict, revenge, and finding a better way to solve problems, particularly in the Slave arc. The storytelling has been widely praised over the years, but its historical attention to detail and Makoto's incredible artwork have also been big draws. If you'd like to read it for yourself, the other hardcover Deluxe Editions are discounted at Amazon.

Vinland Saga Deluxe Edition Manga Collections

• Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 1 -- $39 ($55)
• Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 2 -- $35.85 ($55)
• Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 3 -- $33.49 ($55)
• Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 4 -- $41.32 ($55)
• Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 5 -- $49.49 ($55)
• Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 6 -- $39.55 ($55)
• Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 7 -- $49.49 ($55) | Releases May 6
• Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 8 -- $55 | Releases August 5

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Ever since Bram Stoker introduced the world to Dracula, vampire fiction has been a top-seller over the decades. Over in Japan, one of the best entries in the genre is the long-running Vampire Hunter D books series by author Hideyuki Kikuchi. If you've been looking to sink your fangs into the novels, you can grab the entire series at a big discount thanks to Fanatical's new Vampire Hunter D: The Complete Sada Book Bundle. The full 30-book bundle is just $13, which is a massive 93% off the bundle's normal $209.70 value.

See bundle at Fanatical

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The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Manga Complete Box Set

$91.37 (was $130)

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The Legend of Zelda Manga Box Set

$57.49 (was $105)

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The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition Manga Box Set

$91.40 (was $125)

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If you're interested in diving into the world of The Legend of Zelda's manga adaptations, the newest box set is on sale for a nearly $40 discount at Amazon. Published by Viz Media last September, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Complete Box Set is available for $91.37 (was $130) for a limited time.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Manga Complete Box Set $91.37 (was $130)

The Twilight Princess Complete Box Set features all 11 volumes of the popular manga in a decorative slipcase display box. You'll also get an exclusive double-sided poster. Clocking in at 2,040 pages total, the Twilight Princess manga adaptation tells the tale of both the Twilight Realm and the World of Light, taking an extensive look at Midna and her role in keeping the two worlds safe. If you are a fan of the game and like manga, we'd highly recommend reading this series.

If you don't want to commit to the whole set, you could always check out a couple of the individual volumes first. List prices are $10-$12, though you can get some of them for a few bucks less.

• Twilight Princess Complete Box Set -- $91.37 ($130)
• Twilight Princess Vol. 1 -- $10.79
• Twilight Princess Vol. 2 -- $11.15
• Twilight Princess Vol. 3 -- $11.15
• Twilight Princess Vol. 4 -- $10
• Twilight Princess Vol. 5 -- $12
• Twilight Princess Vol. 6 -- $9
• Twilight Princess Vol. 7 -- $10.10
• Twilight Princess Vol. 8 -- $8.50
• Twilight Princess Vol. 9 -- $9.79
• Twilight Princess Vol. 10 -- $8.10
• Twilight Princess Vol. 11 -- $7.29

See at Amazon The Legend of Zelda Manga Box Set $57.49 (was $105)

The Twilight Princess manga was written and illustrated by Akira Himekawa, a pen name for A. Honda and S. Nagano. Prior to writing the Twilight Princess series, the pair created a bunch of other adventures adapted from popular games in the Zelda series. You can save on those Zelda manga at Amazon, too.

There are 10 standard editions sold individually for $12 each, though some are on sale for small discounts. The box set offers much better value right now. You can get all 10 volumes with a slipcase and collectible poster for $68.34. You're essentially saving 50% by opting for the set, as you're paying $5.75 per volume at Amazon's current price.

• The Legend of Zelda Complete Box Set -- $68.34 ($105)
• Ocarina of Time Vol. 1
• Ocarina of Time Vol. 2
• Majora's Mask Vol. 3
• Oracle of Seasons Vol. 4
• Oracle of Ages Vol. 5
• Four Swords Vol. 6
• Four Swords Part 2 Vol. 7
• A Link to the Past Vol 9
• Phantom Hourglass Vol. 10

A Link to the Past is also available as a full-color graphic novel written and illustrated by Shotaro Ishinomori.

• A Link to the Past Graphic Novel -- $16.89 ($20)

See at Amazon The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition Manga Box Set $91.40 (was $125)

The Legendary Edition Box Set condenses all 10 volumes into five premium editions with higher-quality covers and paper. The books are packaged inside a collectible treasure chest box with an exclusive poster. Alternatively, you can buy the books individually for $15 to $20 each.

• The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition Box Set -- $91.40 ($125)
• Ocarina of Time Legendary Edition -- $15.28 ($20)
• Oracle of Seasons + Ages Legendary Edition -- $15.28 ($20)
• Majora's Mask + A Link to the Past Legendary Edition -- $18 ($20)
• The Minish Cap + Phantom Hourglass Legendary Edition -- $17.29 ($20)
• Four Swords Legendary Edition -- $18.59 ($20)

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A free-to-play title called PirateFi was released with little fanfare on Steam earlier this month. But the only reason many players will ever hear about it is because the game has been pulled from the platform for spreading malicious malware to unsuspecting gamers who downloaded it.

As reported by PC Magazine, Valve has been notifying players who downloaded PirateFi about the takedown. In the screenshot reproduced below from SteamDB, Valve encourages PirateFi players to run a full-system scan with anti-virus software. The company also suggests considering a full reformat of players' operating system in order to remove any malicious programs that may linger.

A game called PirateFi released on Steam last week and it contained malware. Valve have removed the game two days ago.
Users that played the game have received the following email: pic.twitter.com/B98BFs0WbK

— SteamDB (@SteamDB) February 12, 2025

It's unclear how many players' computers were infected by PirateFi. Although SteamDB only lists five players at PirateFi's peak, users on Steam's board indicated that the game wouldn't launch. If that's the case, then most of those users wouldn't show up as active players on SteamDB. PC Magazine notes that there was a job offer on Telegram for an in-game chat moderator for PirateFi, and the user who shared that story believes that the game developer's account was run by an AI program.

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Dante’s Peak on 4K Blu-ray

$31.49 (was $45) | Releases April 22

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Dante’s Peak hit theaters in 1997, and now, nearly 30 years later, it’s getting a 4K Blu-ray release. The Pierce Brosnan-led disaster film is available to preorder on 4K at Amazon ahead of its April 22 launch. While the film didn’t earn the best reviews, it featured solid performances from Brosnan--who was James Bond at the time--and Linda Hamilton. Dante's Peak's special effects were quite impressive for the late '90s, too.

If you’re interested in seeing how the effects look in 4K, consider reserving a copy today. We’ve already seen it go out of stock at Walmart, so it's possible Amazon could sell out of preorders ahead of release, too.

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World of Warcraft has required a $15 monthly subscription to play since its launch back in 2004, but in all those years, the price in the US has never gone up. According to ex-Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, it was due to not wanting to "agitate" the game's playerbase.

In an interview with the Grit podcast, Kotick reflected on his long history as the CEO of Activision and later Activision Blizzard. Along the way he dove into details about developer Blizzard and WoW's success.

He said the game over its lifetime has seen over 150 million subscribers, making it the "best subscription business of all time." When one of the interviewers suggested the price of the subscription could have been "priced more highly" given WoW's huge success, Kotick pushed back against the idea.

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Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

$36 (was $60)

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Decades before the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movies brought the Blue Blur to the big screen, Sega's flagship platformer series was adapted to the small screen with Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, a 65-episode cartoon that aired back in 1993. The series made a comeback with a physical release in 2022, and right now you can snag Adventures of Sonic Complete TV Series on Blu-ray for $36 at Amazon (was $60). This is one of the lowest prices ever for this awesome two-disc set, so nostalgic Sonic fans may want to scoop it up while they can.

Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) $36 (was $60)

The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog Complete TV Series Blu-ray set includes all 65 main episodes of the series, plus a bunch of extras like the Sonic Christmas Blast Episode, pilot episode, and all the "Sonic Says" PSA bumpers that originally aired alongside each episode. All the content is presented in its original standard definition resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio. There are also commentary tracks on select episodes featuring storyboard artist Milton Knight.

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Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog is notable as one of the first high-profile adaptations of a Sega game, capitalizing on the character's popularity in North America. The series stars Jaleel White--best known for playing Urkel in the sitcom Family Matters--as the voice of Sonic, and features a long list of familiar sidekicks and villains, including Tails (Russi Taylor) and Dr. Robotnik (Long John Baldry). While subsequent TV shows, comics, and movies have filled Sonic's backstory even more, back in the '90s, this show gave fans their first look into the Sonic universe beyond the video games.

Sonic the Hedgehog Animated Series

Sonic has starred in a bunch of other animated series over the years, many of which are available for bargain prices on Blu-ray and/or DVD.

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Suikoden I & II HD Remaster Day One Edition

$50

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The beloved PS1 RPGs Suikoden I and II return in just a few weeks in a remastered collection for Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Suikoden I & II HD Remaster launches March 6, and the Day One physical edition is available to preorder now at major retailers, including Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart.

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster Day One Edition $50

The Suikoden I & II HD Remaster is available in a special Day One edition. This is essentially a standard edition that comes with a few extras, including immediate access to the Prosperity Orb and Fortune Orb in-game items, which double the amount of money and experience you earn from battles, respectively. You also get a bonus 57,300 Potch, which is the in-game money.

The Orb items are acquirable in the game, but they're rare drops, so having them available immediately is a perk for players who don't want to spend as much time farming Potch and XP.

The in-game freebies are only available with the Day One edition of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster. Games with Day One versions are usually still available to buy on launch day, but in some occasions they sell out before release and a standard edition takes its place.

You can preorder Suikoden I & II HD Remaster Day One edition for $50 for Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X at Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart. Digital preorders are also available for consoles and PC.

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Suikoden I & II HD Remaster includes enhanced versions of Suikoden I and II. The remasters of both games feature HD sprites and backgrounds, enhanced sound effects, and QOL options like auto-saving, adjustable battle speeds, and a conversation log for reviewing previous dialog.

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While it's been almost two decades since Okami launched, Capcom has apparently always been thinking about a new entry in the franchise. That's because the company sees the series as a "very, very unique IP" with a satisfied player base, per Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi. What was key was finding the right people and opportunity.

Speaking with IGN, Hirabayashi talked about the origins of Okami 2 alongside game director Hideki Kamiya, who founded the new studio Clovers. The surprise sequel was unveiled at The Game Awards in December. "But for Capcom, we were always looking for the opportunity to create new Okami," said Hirabayashi. "Of course, for such a project, we needed various preparations to be able to make sure that this all comes true. We needed to have certain key people in place."

Kamiya--who left Platinum Games in 2023--added that he "always wanted to create an Okami sequel." The director pointed out "that the story itself isn't really complete" in the original, so he's had a desire to finish it.

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Windows 11 has been here for a while, but that doesn't mean that Windows 10 users are willing to go gentle into that good night, despite its impending "end-of-life" date of October 14, 2025. As spotted by PC Guide, according to Steam's January 2025 Hardware & Software Survey, more than 44% of the storefront's users are still on Windows 10, with more than 55% opting for Windows 11.

Windows 11 has been out for four years now, but there are a few obvious reasons for its lack of market penetration. For one, the differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 can be difficult to suss out at a first glance, and for most users, there isn't really a strong reason to upgrade. For another, Windows 11 came along with some stiff hardware requirements that essentially locked out those with older processors, even though many of those machines can still run many PCs games well.

Windows 10's end of life means that Microsoft will no longer receive software updates or security fixes, and the company has been encouraging users to upgrade for years now. It seems inevitable that the numbers will begin to shift a bit more, a process that has perhaps already started--Windows 10 had a slight majority of Steam's userbase in September of last year, losing roughly 5% in the interim. The survey also revealed that the most popular GPU for Steam users is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, that 16 GB RAM is the most common, and that a majority of Steam users have hard drives with more than 1 TB total space and 100 to 249 GB of free space. Check out our take on the most-anticipated PC games of 2025 for more.

The Plucky Squire: Devolver Deluxe Edition

$55

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The Plucky Squire Standard Edition

$35

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The Plucky Squire, one of the most charming games of 2024, will finally be available in physical format on February 21. Initially published for all major consoles and PC by Devolver Digital last September, The Plucky Squire's physical release is limited to PS5 and Nintendo Switch. Two different editions are up for preorder, including the Devolver Deluxe Edition, a $55 box set containing the game, an art book, and the original soundtrack.

Preorder The Plucky Squire Devolver Deluxe Edition

$55

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Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 6 may not have a release date yet, but it's almost certainly going to be one of the best-selling games of the year. However, Strauss Zelnick--the CEO of Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two--recently confirmed that a PC port for GTA 6 won't be released at launch. Regardless, Corsair CEO Andy Paul has shared his belief that Grand Theft Auto 6 will arrive on PC in early 2026, and he's betting that it will help his business.

Via Insider Gaming, Paul shared his thoughts during a Corsair earnings call. Corsair's business is built around computer peripherals, storage, memory, and other parts and accessories. Because GTA 6 will probably be a very demanding game on PC, he thinks it will "spur purchases of either peripherals or components." He also called GTA 6 "the most anticipated and hardware-demanding game" coming in the near future, and indicated that the company's "gaming business has never looked so strong."

Potentially, Paul could be correct about GTA 6 arriving on PC in 2026, but it's unclear how accurate his information is. Traditionally, Rockstar games have released on consoles long before coming to PC, so a port after just a few months would be unusual. As an example, it took 19 months for Grand Theft Auto 5 to hit PC after its debut in 2013. Rockstar hasn't publicly disclosed how long GTA 6 will remain solely on consoles, while Zelnick previously seemed to suggest that there will be a PC port at some point.

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