Grand Theft Auto VI is not just another video game. With Rockstar Games at the helm and years of development behind it, the upcoming title is shaping up to be one of the most expansive and bold undertakings in entertainment history. Here are seven reasons why GTA 6 could become the most ambitious entertainment project ever.
1. Rockstar’s pursuit of ‘perfection’
According to Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive (Rockstar’s parent company), Rockstar Games is striving for “nothing short of perfection”. The studio is known for taking its time to refine every detail, ensuring the final product is polished to the highest standard, even if it means delaying release. Their commitment to quality is central to GTA 6’s grand ambitions.
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2. Record-breaking trailer launch
GTA 6’s debut trailer, released in December 2023, quickly became the most viewed video game reveal in YouTube history. It racked up over 93 million views within 24 hours, surpassing major music and entertainment videos. This massive response reflects the global excitement and places GTA 6 in a league of its own before launch.
3. A billion-dollar budget
Industry insiders estimate GTA 6’s development and marketing costs could exceed $1 billion, potentially making it the most expensive game ever made. This budget rivals blockbuster Hollywood productions and underlines how video games are now competing, and often leading, in the global entertainment space.
4. Revolutionary open-world design
Rockstar is reportedly building one of the most dynamic game worlds ever seen. GTA 6 is expected to feature an updated version of Vice City (inspired by Miami) and may include evolving environments, smarter AI, and complex NPC behaviours. This living, breathing world is designed to react more naturally to player actions, enhancing immersion.
5. First female protagonist in modern GTA
For the first time in the HD era of GTA, the game will feature a female lead character. This move not only marks a shift in representation but also signals Rockstar’s intent to evolve its storytelling and character dynamics, a key part of creating a more nuanced and engaging narrative experience.
6. Built for next-gen consoles
GTA 6 is being developed specifically for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, allowing Rockstar to push technical boundaries. Players can expect improved graphics, faster loading times, and more detailed worlds thanks to the hardware capabilities of new-gen consoles, making the game a leap forward from GTA V.
7. Cultural impact and legacy
Few games have had the lasting influence of Grand Theft Auto V, which sold over 190 million copies. With GTA 6, Rockstar is aiming even higher, not just in sales, but in cultural relevance. From music and fashion to internet memes and political satire, the GTA series has long influenced pop culture. GTA 6 is poised to amplify that legacy on an even larger scale.
GTA 6 is expected to release in 2025 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. If Rockstar delivers on its vision, it may redefine not just open-world gaming, but what’s possible across all forms of entertainment.
Rockstar Games has released the much-anticipated second trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI, providing fans with a closer look at the game's story, characters, and expansive setting. Captured on PlayStation 5, the trailer highlights the return to Vice City and invites players to explore the wider state of Leonida.
Following the announcement of a delay pushing the game's release to 26 May 2026, this latest trailer aims to reignite excitement among fans who have been waiting over a decade since the release of GTA V.
Jason and Lucia take centre stage
The trailer introduces the central protagonists, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. Rockstar describes the pair as being caught in a dangerous conspiracy that stretches across Leonida. The official synopsis reveals: “Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves in the middle of a conspiracy... forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive.”
Jason, a former Army member with ties to drug runners in the Keys, is portrayed as someone trying to escape a difficult past. Lucia, who has recently been released from prison, is determined to secure a better life for herself and her family. The trailer hints at a tense, high-stakes storyline built on trust and survival.
Supporting cast and character profiles
Rockstar’s updated GTA 6 website offers detailed character bios, adding depth to the world of Vice City. Key supporting characters include:
Cal Hampton: A paranoid conspiracy theorist and Jason’s friend, often seen monitoring Coast Guard communications from his home.
Boobie Ike: A former street figure who has turned his influence into a business empire including real estate, a recording studio, and a strip club.
Dre’Quan Priest: A music entrepreneur behind “Only Raw Records”, aiming to take Vice City’s music scene by storm.
Real Dimez: A rap duo composed of Bae-Luxe and Roxy, whose early viral success has led to a record deal.
Raul Bautista: A seasoned bank robber looking for crew members willing to take big risks.
Brian Heder: A drug runner from the Keys who houses Jason in exchange for favours and occasional company.
Locations across Leonida
The game world, set in the fictional state of Leonida – Rockstar's take on Florida – appears to be the largest and most varied in the franchise’s history. Trailer 2 reveals a wide range of locations, from urban streets to swampy wetlands.
Vice City: The sun-soaked, vibrant city returns with neighbourhoods like Ocean Beach, Little Cuba, and the VC Port, blending pastel hotels, flea markets, and busy local shops.
Leonida Keys: A tropical archipelago where island life hides dangerous undercurrents.
Grassrivers: Dense wetlands filled with alligators and other threats, promising unpredictable exploration.
Port Gellhorn: Once a tourist haven, now a gritty town run on cheap liquor and back-alley deals.
Ambrosia: A region dominated by industrial activity, local biker gangs, and a powerful sugar refinery.
Mount Kalaga: A mountainous area offering hunting, fishing, and off-grid communities living beyond state control.
Each area brings its own atmosphere, challenges, and storylines, reinforcing Rockstar’s emphasis on player immersion.
Delay and platform release
While the excitement around the new trailer is high, Rockstar has also confirmed a significant delay to GTA 6’s launch. Initially expected in late 2025, the game is now scheduled for release on 26 May 2026. The title is confirmed for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with no official PC release date yet announced.
Rockstar released the first trailer for GTA VI in December 2023. The gap between the two trailers — one year, five months, and two days — mirrors the promotional strategy used for GTA V, whose first two trailers were released one year and five months apart.
A glimpse into the future of GTA
- YouTubeRockstar Games
The second trailer and updated website make it clear that Rockstar is aiming to deliver its most expansive and narratively rich title yet. With dual protagonists, a wide-ranging open world, and a deep supporting cast, GTA VI is set to push the boundaries of what fans expect from the series.
Fans can now dive into character details and explore Leonida’s environments on the official GTA VI website, as anticipation builds toward the 2026 release.
Epic Games is offering players a free Stormtrooper outfit in Fortnite as part of a new Star Wars-themed promotion, coinciding with the build-up to Star Wars Day on 4 May. The offer is part of a wider collaboration between Epic and Disney, ahead of the launch of a new Star Wars-themed Fortnite season and an expansive digital universe expected in 2026.
To claim the free skin, players must link their Epic Games account with a MyDisney account. This step is required to access the giveaway and connect the two platforms as part of Disney and Epic’s wider partnership, which aims to combine gaming, streaming, and shopping into one interactive experience based on Disney properties.
The free Stormtrooper outfit is just one of several Star Wars-related offerings currently available in Fortnite. In-game celebrations include the premiere of Star Wars: Tales of the Empire, an animated series debuting within Fortnite on 2 May. The show focuses on Asajj Ventress, a popular character from The Clone Wars, and features her as Count Dooku’s former apprentice.
To mark the release, Epic has created a special Fortnite island where players can join a virtual watch party for the first two episodes. Those who attend will receive a free Ventress-themed loading screen and can explore the island, participate in Star Wars-inspired battles using blasters and lightsabers, and earn points in various activities.
In addition, Epic is expected to offer a free Star Wars video game through the Epic Games Store. Although the exact title has not been confirmed, speculation suggests it could be one of Electronic Arts’ Star Wars Jedi games. Epic previously made Star Wars Battlefront II available for free in a similar promotion.
The new campaign is part of a broader $1.5 billion (£1.1 billion) collaboration between Epic Games and Disney. The aim is to create a shared digital universe where fans can experience Disney content in new ways — blending gameplay, streaming media, and online commerce across franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar.
How to claim the free Fortnite Stormtrooper skin:
Open a web browser and go towww.epicgames.com. It is recommended to use incognito or private mode to prevent login issues from stored credentials.
Click “Sign In” in the top-right corner. If your account is already signed in incorrectly, click your avatar and select “Sign Out” before proceeding.
After signing in with the correct Epic Games account, click your username in the top-right corner and choose “Account” from the dropdown menu.
In the account settings page, select “Apps and Accounts” from the menu on the left-hand side.
Go to the “Accounts” tab and locate “MyDisney Account” among the available connection options.
Click “Connect” next to MyDisney Account. If you already have a Disney+ subscription, you will have a MyDisney account. If not, it is free to create one.
You will be redirected to the MyDisney website to log in and confirm the connection.
Once the accounts are linked, the Stormtrooper outfit will be added to your Fortnite account automatically.
This giveaway is available for a limited time and is part of a larger promotion leading into Star Wars Day.
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Fans must act quickly, with only less than 48 hrs available to take advantage.
Xbox players still have time to claim three free games as part of the latest Free Play Days event – but they must act fast, with the offer ending tomorrow.
Available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard, and Core members, the Free Play Days promotion includes three titles which can be downloaded and played at no extra cost. The offer runs until Sunday, 27 April at 11:59pm Pacific Time – early Monday morning UK time.
The free games are:
Alien: Isolation First released in 2014, Alien: Isolation is a survival horror game set 15 years after the events of the 1979 film Alien. Players control Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen Ripley, as she searches for answers about her mother’s disappearance. The game is highly praised for its tense atmosphere and remains one of the most respected titles in the genre.
Make Way Launched in 2023, Make Way is a top-down, multiplayer racing game. Up to six players can compete in fast-paced races packed with hazards and weapons. Players can also create their own tracks, making it a perfect choice for family and friends this weekend.
NHL 25 The latest in the popular ice hockey series, NHL 25 offers a more dynamic experience thanks to its new ICE-Q gameplay intelligence system. Next-gen Vision Control allows players greater precision in positioning, defending, and goal attempts, delivering the most advanced version of the game yet.
Players who want to try these games should add them to their library before the offer expires late on Sunday night.
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Hideo Kojima introduces Death Stranding 2: On the Beach at SXSW 2025, revealing a new trailer packed with Metal Gear-style nods and confirming its PS5 release date
Hideo Kojima is back in the spotlight, and he’s bringing some familiar vibes with him. At SXSW 2025 in Austin, Texas, Kojima presented a brand-new look at Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The nearly 10-minute trailer gave fans plenty to chew on: gameplay reveals, creepy visuals, and a release date, June 26, 2025, exclusive to PlayStation 5. Players who go for the Digital Deluxe or Collector’s Editions can dive in early on June 24. Pre-orders kick off March 17.
The trailer introduces a fresh face: Neil, portrayed by Italian actor Luca Marinelli. Fans immediately noticed his striking resemblance to Solid Snake from Kojima’s Metal Gear series. Neil throws on a bandana and commands a shadowy squad, making the connection even clearer. Kojima actually predicted this comparison back in 2020, when he said Marinelli would be the “spitting image” of Snake if he wore a bandana. Now, that prediction seems to have come full circle.
But that’s not all that hints at Kojima’s Metal Gear roots. The trailer also brings the Magellan Man, a towering, tar-covered mech that’s controlled much like a Pacific Rim robot. Its design even echoes Metal Gear Rex, adding to the déjà vu. If you’re a collector, the special edition includes a 15-inch statue of this eerie machine.
Death Stranding 2 continues the story that began in 2019, with Sam Porter Bridges, played by Norman Reedus embarking on another dangerous journey. This time, though, the game’s theme raises a chilling question: “Should we have connected?” It’s a direct follow-up to the original’s mission of rebuilding society and now seems to question whether it was the right move at all.
Kojima Productions isn’t stopping there. They’ve announced The Strands of Harmony concert tour, covering 19 cities worldwide and featuring music from the game’s iconic soundtrack. Plus, Kojima is juggling several other projects, including a Death Stranding movie with A24 and two other games: OD for Xbox and Physint for Sony.
It’s shaping up to be a busy year for Kojima and his fans!
PDC Asian Tour number one Alexis Toylo has qualified for the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship for the first time in his career. He is one of several players from the Asian Tour that will make their debut in the tournament this year.
It has been an excellent season for Toylo. He started 2024 by winning five of the opening 11 events on the Asian Tour. The man from the Philippines is a long way clear of his rivals on the Order of Merit in Asia.
Tough Opening Game for Toylo
“Cool Cat” as he is nicknamed on the PDC Tour, is 1000/1 in the World Darts betting odds to cause a huge upset and lift the trophy in London. He will begin his campaign in the opening round against the Netherlands’ Richard Veenstra.
In what is the final tie on the first round schedule, Toylo is 11/4 in the darts odds to prevail against the world number 47. Veenstra is a former winner of the Dutch Open, and he reached the third round of the World Darts Championship last season, eventually exiting to fellow Dutch compatriot Michael van Gerwen.
The winner of the Toylo-Veenstra contest will face Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski in the second round. They are also in the same quarter as former world champion Michael Smith, who is the number two seed this year.
Toylo gained some valuable experience in a major PDC event back in June. He paired up with Christian Perez to represent the Philippines at the World Cup of Darts. They defeated Singapore in their group stage tie, but defeat to Belgium meant they did not advance to the knockout stages
Ilagan Set for Ninth World Darts Championship Appearance
12-time PDC Asian Tour winner Lourence Ilagan is set for his ninth appearance at the World Darts Championship this year. He first made his debut in 2009, losing in the preliminary round to Marko Kantele.
The furthest Ilagan has gone at the Alexandra Palace is the second round, which he achieved in 2023. He defeated Austrian player Rowby-John Rodriguez in the first round, before losing to Dimitri Van den Bergh.
The highlight of 2024 for Ilagan has been his victory in the PDC Asian Championship. He got the better of Sandro Eric Sosing in the final 7-3. That triumph earned him an entry into the Grand Slam of Darts. Unfortunately for the man from the Philippines, he lost all three of his group-stage matches in Wolverhampton.
Kumar, Flying the Flag for India
The only Indian player in the draw for the 2025 World Darts Championship is Nitin Kumar. This will be his fourth appearance in the tournament, with his last coming in 2022 when he lost to Ricky Evans in the opening round.
Kumar represented India at the 2014 and 2015 World Cup of Darts. If victorious against Martin Lukeman in the first round of the World Darts Championship, he will become the first place from his country to reach the second round.
The 2025 World Darts Championship concludes on the 3rd of January, and everybody involved with the PDC Asian Tour will be hoping the tournament produces its first-ever Asian winner.