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GTA 5 On PC Is Getting Better Graphics, Faster Loading Times, And Lots More With Free Upgrade
Rockstar Games made a big GTA announcement today, and while it's not anything to do with GTA 6, it's still a pretty significant piece of news. GTA 5 for PC is getting a major upgrade, with Rockstar Games bringing over the changes, improvements, and additions from the Xbox Series X|S and PS5 versions.
On March 4, everyone who owns GTA 5 on PC will be able to access the upgrade for free, with all story mode and online progress supported. There are some key things to know, including that anyone whose hardware does not meet the minimum requirements (below) can keep playing the existing version of GTA 5 on PC, but it will be a separate instance. People on that version will not be able to play together with those running the upgraded version, but support for the older edition will remain.
GTA 5 on PC is getting a big upgrade.GalleryContinue Reading at GameSpot
Lost Soul Aside Preorders Are Finally Live On PS5 And PC
First revealed in 2016, Lost Soul Aside is finally heading to PS5 and PC later this year on May 30. Originally started as a one-person project, the action RPG has grown into something much larger, boasting flashy graphics and fast-paced combat. Preorders are now open ahead of its release. Reserving in advance will unlock a few nice in-game bonuses, and dedicated fans will also find a Digital Deluxe Edition packed with even more goodies.
Lost Soul Aside Preorder BonusLost Soul Aside preorder bonusesPreorder Lost Soul Aside ahead of its release on May 30, and you’ll get the following in-game items:
- Kaser’s original reveal outfit (The Origin)
- 500 Divinity’s Gold
- 10x High Potion
If you’ve been following the game for some time, The Origin cosmetic is the same one worn by the protagonist during Lost Soul Aside’s first reveal. The other two bonuses should help kickstart your adventure.
Continue Reading at GameSpotOverwatch 2 Is Finally Earning The "2" In Its Name
When I reviewed Overwatch 2 back in 2022, I expressed a sentiment that I would soon hear echoed by peers and players alike: Although Overwatch 2 introduced a handful of solid changes to the critically acclaimed hero shooter, there was very little there that truly justified the "2" that Blizzard seemed so eager to add. A new, shiny lacquer had been poured atop the game, that much was clear, but beneath its sleek exterior was a game that was largely the same--albeit with more aggressive monetization practices.
Over the past two years, I've held out hope that Blizzard would find some way to once again captivate fans (myself included) and harness the magic that made Overwatch so beloved. Across the game's 14 seasons, it's abundantly clear that the team has been actively listening to its players and trying. Contentious anti-consumer practices have been reverted, fan service has been served hot and with plenty of 6v6 nostalgia on the side. We've even seen a few Fortnite-style collaborations come to the game. Sure, I don't know how many of us truly cared about the Porsche-inspired D.Va skin, but My Hero Academia, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Le Sserafim, and Transformers? All cool as hell. And yet, things have still felt… off.
Turns out, fans aren't the only ones who think so. Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Blizzard Studios, attend its 2025 Spotlight event, and discuss what's next for the series. Though I went in expecting the kind of frantic and/or defensive energy that comes with heightened (not to mention Marvel-backed) competition and a diminishing ROI, that wasn't what I was met with. Across my discussions with game director Aaron Keller, lead hero designer Alec Dawson, and other key team members, I saw a studio that was hard at work on one thing in particular: dismantling the protectiveness they had over their own creation. And it's about damn time.
Continue Reading at GameSpotShocking James Bond Changes Announced, Could Influence Future Games
In a shocking announcement, Amazon MGM Studios has announced that it is taking over creative control of the James Bond series as part of a deal with series stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. What does this mean for Hitman developer IO's new James Bond game, or any other future Bond projects? We don't know as of yet, but given just how long Broccoli and Wilson have led the franchise, changes could be afoot.
Broccoli and Wilson had managed the James Bond franchise for almost 60 years, following it being passed down from their father, Cubby Broccoli. The pair have been the driving force behind the entire Bond franchise during that period, including selecting the actors who would play the iconic spy.Their work has extended beyond just the movies, as Broccoli at least has been involved in decision-making for the games; it recently came to light that Broccoli raised a number of concerns about the GoldenEye game for Wii.
In a statement, Amazon said Broccoli and Wilson have created a new joint venture where the James Bond IP rights will live, and they will continue to co-own the James Bond series. However, Amazon MGM Studios will "gain creative control of the James Bond franchise" once it closes the deal. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Continue Reading at GameSpotScuf Valor Pro Wired Xbox Controller Review - A Pro Controller That's Light(ish) On The Wallet
In order to be successful, a controller needs three things: comfort, function, and convenience. There's a reason why the Duke--the notoriously large controller that accompanied the original Xbox in 2001--was eventually replaced with a smaller design, durable as it was. The Duke was heavy and huge, with buttons spread out a little too far across the interface.
Scuf's newest controller, the Valor Pro Wired Controller for Xbox and PC, nails all three of these elements. Its light weight and smooth front faceplate makes it easy to carry and hold without irritation. The design of the bumpers and triggers on the top of the controller make it very simple to alternate between, while the four rear paddles offer extra control in tight situations. A few other additional features--like built-in audio controls--add additional convenience. It's not reinventing the wheel, but the Valor Pro is a great choice for Xbox and PC players alike, provided you can live with a wire attached to whatever you're playing on.
Right out of the box, the Valor Pro felt great in my hands, which are larger than most. The placement of the buttons and sticks seem to slot right into the positions my hands want them to be. It's surprisingly light in the hands too, to the point where it feels like a toy rather than a pro controller. That's not to say it feels cheap, though, as the sticks, buttons, and d-pad feel strong to the touch. The smooth faceplate creates a tight grip, and the nonslip grips work as advertised, no matter how sweaty the palms get--and I, a person with pretty sweaty hands, would know.
Continue Reading at GameSpotWWE 2K25's Showcase Mode Will Let You Relive--And Change--Bloodline History
Like previous games in the series, WWE 2K25 features a Showcase mode that will let fans relive the past by taking part in several legendary matches. Essentially an interactive documentary--and hosted by "The Wise Man" Paul Heyman this year--2K Showcase: The Bloodline Dynasty will also allow players to alter the outcomes of these matches.
The trip down wrestling memory lane features a selection of classic bouts, including Yokozuna's infamous battle against Hulk Hogan at the 1993 King of the Ring, the brutal No Holds Barred match between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Rikishi, and the Royal Rumble 2022 showdown between Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.
Each match fits into one of three categories--Relive History, Change History, and Create History--and in total, 15 of them have been revealed so far. Here's the full list:
Continue Reading at GameSpotCD Projekt Red Wants Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel To Have Most-Realistic Crowds Ever
Near the end of last year, CD Projekt Red shifted its focus away from Cyberpunk 2077 updates and bug fixes and put The Witcher 4 into full production. But that doesn't mean the developer isn't starting work on the next game in the Cyberpunk 2077 franchise. In a new job listing, CD Projekt Red put out the word that it's looking to create even more impressive background NPCs in the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel.
Via Video Games Chronicle, CD Projekt Red is looking for a lead encounter designer for Project Orion, which is the codename for the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel. The listing notably states that selected candidates will be collaborating with the design team "to create the most realistic and reactive crowd system in any game to date." The position will also be responsible for designing "memorable combat encounters" and crafting "divergent experiences that cater to all available play styles."
Despite getting off to a rocky start after Cyberpunk 2077's launch in 2020, CD Projekt Red addressed most of the major issues within the game. The Phantom Liberty DLC expansion was also highly praised for adding more life to Night City's inhabitants and surroundings. If the development team is going even further with NPC interaction in the sequel, it should be interesting to see if crowd encounters will affect the shape and flow of the story. A "realistic and reactive crowd" wouldn't just ignore or simply run away from players when things get violent. It also stands to reason that crowds could potentially interact with player-characters in more immersive ways.
Continue Reading at GameSpotDesign Home Collabs With HGTV, Fixer To Fabulous Challenges Available Now
Not only can you do it yourself in Design Home, but now the game will let you become your own DIY star for HGTV with a new collaboration. For starters, a Fixer to Fabulous crossover has already kicked off in the mobile title. Next up are weekly challenges based on House Hunters, one of the most popular shows on the network.
The Fixer to Fabulous crossover began February 19 in Design Home, with weekly challenges called Bentonville Beauty and Arkansas Amazement. The partnership will also be reciprocated. An upcoming episode of Fixer to Faborlous--set to air on March 25--will see hosts Dave and Jenny Marrs playing the mobile title.
There's no date yet for the House Hunters challenges; EA says they will be coming soon. The company also states Design Home has seen 131 million players worldwide, and the HGTV collaboration isn't the first partnership for the game. For example, almost a year ago, the renovation game partnered up with Sims Freeplay.
Continue Reading at GameSpotMarvel Rivals Layoffs At US Team Influenced In Part By "Geopolitical Risks," Analyst Says
The recent announcement that NetEase was laying off some of its US-based Marvel Rivals developers, including one of the game's directors, prompted concern and questions given that the hero shooter is performing well in the market with 40 million players. Now, a clearer picture of what's going on and the context behind the shocking decision is coming into focus.
Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad published a report in which he offered his take. Ahmad said there is "some truth" to how various Chinese game companies are downsizing their US operations due in part to "geopolitical risks" under the new Trump administration. However, there may be more to the story. Ahmad said the "full picture is more nuanced" and might also reflect NetEase performing a "recalibration of its global strategy."
In addition to the layoffs at the Marvel Rivals team at NetEase is Seattle--under a dozen people were reportedly affected--NetEase made a number of other significant drawbacks to its global games business. Ahmad pointed out how NetEase either closed or scaled down funding for Ouka Studio in Japan, Worlds Untold in Canada, and Jar of Sparks in the US. More recently, Just Cause creator Christopher Sundberg's new studio Liquid Swords announced cuts, as did Halo Infinite co-developer SkyBox Labs in Canada. Both teams were funded in part by NetEase.
Continue Reading at GameSpotMicrosoft CEO Stresses That Gaming Is Critical To The Company
A recent report said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was at one point mulling the possibility of shuttering the Xbox division. Before this, Microsoft's own co-founder Paul Allen's investment company called for Microsoft to dump Xbox and spin it off as a separate business. That never happened, and now Nadella is speaking up to express Microsoft's commitment to gaming. He told Dwarkesh Patel that it's not true that Microsoft's investments in gaming is part of some kind of "means to some other end."
Microsoft has a long history of supporting gaming, Nadella pointed out, referencing how Microsoft Flight Simulator was a Microsoft product before the company even made the first version of Windows.
"So, gaming has got a long history at the company, and we want to be in gaming for gaming's sake. I always start by saying I hate to be in businesses where they're means to some other end. They have to be ends unto themselves," he said.
Continue Reading at GameSpotPokemon Presents Livestream Announced For February 27
A new Pokemon Presents livestream has been confirmed for February 27 at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET, and pocket monster fans can expect updates on new in-development projects related to the franchise. The Pokemon Company hasn't revealed any details on what will be shown exactly, but fans are expecting to see an update on the next big tentpole game in the franchise, Pokemon Legends Z-A, as well as sneak peeks at other spin-offs in the pipeline.
The Pokemon Presents livestream has become an annual tradition--these have been held every February since 2021--with additional Pokemon Presents being broadcast closer to big Pokemon game releases. Pokemon Legends Z-A is expected to be the main event, as it's currently scheduled for release on Switch.
We still have some burning questions for the second entry in the Pokemon Legends series, as so far, we've only seen a brief teaser trailer that heavily hinted at a return to the Kalos region that was introduced in Pokemon X and Y.
Continue Reading at GameSpot