Gayathri Kallukaran is a Junior Journalist with Eastern Eye. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from St. Paul’s College, Bengaluru, and brings over five years of experience in content creation, including two years in digital journalism. She covers stories across culture, lifestyle, travel, health, and technology, with a creative yet fact-driven approach to reporting. Known for her sensitivity towards human interest narratives, Gayathri’s storytelling often aims to inform, inspire, and empower. Her journey began as a layout designer and reporter for her college’s daily newsletter, where she also contributed short films and editorial features. Since then, she has worked with platforms like FWD Media, Pepper Content, and Petrons.com, where several of her interviews and features have gained spotlight recognition. Fluent in English, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi, she writes in English and Malayalam, continuing to explore inclusive, people-focused storytelling in the digital space.
Grand Theft Auto VI listed on Xbox Store with early downloadable files
328.76MB “pre-pre-load” now available, despite full release months away
Download offers no playable content, only displays key art
Fans excited to see the title on their home screens
Anticipation grows as Rockstar prepares for full launch
Fans of Grand Theft Auto VI are celebrating a new milestone as the game appears on the Xbox Store with an early set of downloadable files. While the small 328.76MB download offers no gameplay or functionality, it marks the first time players can have GTA VI visible on their home screens — a moment many never thought would arrive.
Early download sparks excitement
The early listing on the Xbox Store has given fans a symbolic taste of the long-awaited title, even if it’s not a traditional pre-load. This “pre-pre-load”, as some fans are calling it, prepares consoles ahead of time for the eventual pre-load closer to launch.
Although the files themselves don’t do much — displaying only key art when launched — many players are eager to download them simply to see GTA VI as a selectable game on their dashboard.
No playable content yet
Currently, the file functions purely as a placeholder. Selecting it on the console shows the game’s visual branding for a few seconds, with no menus, trailers, or features available. Analysts suggest the actual pre-load with playable data is unlikely to be available before April 2026.
Despite this, the presence of GTA VI on consoles has sparked widespread fan enthusiasm. On Reddit, one user shared: “Never thought I’d see the day that it was on my home screen.” Another added, “Feels illegal.”
Rockstar gears up for pre-order announcements
The appearance of GTA VI on both the Xbox and PlayStation storefronts signals that Rockstar Games is preparing to open up pre-orders, although no official date has been announced.
As the title inches closer to its full release, the early listing has only intensified fan anticipation for one of gaming’s most awaited sequels.
Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth have been cast as Princess Zelda and Link in the upcoming Legend of Zelda live-action movie.
Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed the casting via X on 16 July.
Directed by Wes Ball (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), the film is set to release on 7 May 2027.
The project is co-produced by Nintendo and Sony Pictures, marking a major push into cinematic adaptations for the gaming franchise.
Nintendo has officially announced the lead cast for its long-anticipated Legend of Zelda live-action adaptation. British actors Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will step into the iconic roles of Princess Zelda and Link, respectively, in a film set to release on 7 May 2027.
The casting was confirmed on Wednesday morning by Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo’s legendary game designer, who shared the news via Nintendo’s X account, alongside first-look images of the duo in costume. The announcement marks a major milestone in the development of the fantasy adventure film, which has been in the works for years.
First glimpse of the young actors in costume from the upcoming Legend of Zelda movieInstagram/zeldanintendo
Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth tapped as Zelda and Link
Relative newcomers to Hollywood blockbusters, both Bragason and Ainsworth bring youthful energy to two of gaming’s most enduring characters. Bragason, best known for her work in Renegade Nell and Three Girls, will portray Princess Zelda. Ainsworth, who voiced Pinocchio in Disney’s 2022 remake and starred in The Haunting of Bly Manor, takes on the role of Link, the courageous warrior from the land of Hyrule.
Casting speculation had been widespread, with fans campaigning online for actors like Hunter Schafer to be considered. Ultimately, Miyamoto expressed confidence in the final selection, stating, “I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen.”
Legend of Zelda movie release date and production team
The live-action Legend of Zelda movie will hit cinemas on 7 May 2027. Directed by Wes Ball, known for The Maze Runner trilogy and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the film is gearing up to be a cinematic retelling of the beloved game series.
Sony Pictures is set to distribute the film, with production shared between Nintendo and Avi Arad’s Arad Productions. The script was most recently updated by T.S. Nowlin. Miyamoto and Arad will co-produce, continuing their collaboration from earlier projects.
— (@)
Plot expectations and franchise history
While official plot details remain under wraps, the film is expected to follow Link and Princess Zelda as they battle the dark forces threatening the kingdom of Hyrule, most notably the demonic warlord Ganon. The Legend of Zelda games often explore themes of power, wisdom, and courage through an ever-evolving timeline of reincarnated characters.
Originally launched in 1986, the Zelda franchise has sold over 150 million units worldwide. Notable entries like Ocarina of Time (1998), Breath of the Wild (2017), and Tears of the Kingdom (2023) have helped define the action-adventure genre in gaming.
The upcoming movie follows the box office success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, another Nintendo franchise adaptation that grossed over £1.04 billion (₹10,800 crore) globally.
Reactions to the casting have been mixed but largely curious, with many gamers excited to see fresh faces taking on the legendary roles. Some fans expressed disappointment that more established names were not chosen, while others welcomed the studio’s bold decision to prioritise performance potential over star power.
Meanwhile, early costume reveals of the two leads have already begun circulating online, fuelling discussions about the tone, aesthetic, and faithfulness of the adaptation.
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Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, a dark action RPG inspired by the Souls-like genre
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Abiotic Factor, and Grounded 2 lead the July Game Pass additions
All three titles launch as day-one Game Pass releases
More games arriving throughout July and into early August, including RoboCop: Rogue City and Farming Simulator 25
Available on various platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Major titles arriving on Xbox Game Pass this July
Xbox Game Pass continues to expand its offerings with several key releases in July 2025, headlined by three highly anticipated titles arriving as day-one additions: Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Abiotic Factor, and Grounded 2. These titles will be available for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers across console and PC platforms.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers launches 24 July
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, a dark action RPG inspired by the Souls-like genre, launches on Wednesday 24 July as a day-one Game Pass title. Players take on the role of Wuchang, a female pirate warrior battling supernatural forces and personal demons in a world shaped by China's Three Kingdoms era. The game will be available on both console and PC via Game Pass Ultimate.
Abiotic Factor brings sci-fi co-op survival to Game Pass
Joining the platform on Tuesday 22 July, Abiotic Factor is a co-operative survival game set within a mysterious underground research facility. Supporting one to six players, the game challenges users to face numerous threats while uncovering the secrets of their surroundings. It will be available on Game Pass for Cloud, Console, and PC.
Grounded 2 expands the survival formula
Grounded 2 will arrive on Tuesday 29 July as another day-one Game Pass title. The sequel builds upon the original's miniature survival concept with an expanded open world, new base-building mechanics, additional weapons, and improved customisation. Players continue the challenge of surviving in a backyard filled with oversized dangers.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers - Summer Games Fest Montage Trailer | PS5 Games YouTube/ PlayStation
Additional games coming to Game Pass
Alongside the headline releases, a variety of other titles will be added to the Game Pass library this month and early next:
High On Life (Cloud, Console, and PC) – 15 July
RoboCop: Rogue City (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – 17 July
My Friendly Neighborhood (Cloud, Console, and PC) – 17 July
Back to the Dawn (Cloud, Console, and PC) – 18 July
Wheel World (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – 23 July
Farming Simulator 25 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – 1 August
Available on Game Pass Ultimate
All major titles including Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Abiotic Factor, and Grounded 2 will be accessible to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. More platform-specific details are available via the official Xbox Game Pass app and website.
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Players are advised to keep an eye on the official page for real-time updates
Fortnite servers are down on Tuesday, 15 July for Update 36.20
Downtime began at 9 a.m. BST and is expected to last 2–3 hours
Update 36.20 introduces new content, bug fixes, and possible collaborations
Leaks hint at a live event, themed items, and a new Point of Interest (POI)
Fortnite servers offline for maintenance on 15 July
Fortnite has gone offline temporarily for its scheduled server maintenance to roll out Update 36.20. According to the official @FortniteStatus account on X (formerly Twitter), the downtime began at 9 a.m. BST on Tuesday, 15 July, and typically lasts between two to three hours, based on previous update cycles.
The timing is consistent with earlier outages linked to updates 36.10 and 35.10. Players will be unable to access any Fortnite game modes while the maintenance is underway.
What to expect from Fortnite Update 36.20
While Epic Games has not released full patch notes at the time of writing, community leaker Shiina shared an early overview of what may be included in the update. If accurate, players can expect a combination of new content, limited-time features, and cosmetics.
Potential additions include:
New Battle Royale content
Live event files, possibly referencing the original rocket launch
Free collaboration vehicle, with speculation around the Batmobile or Fantasticar
Free pickaxe, available by logging in
New Point of Interest (POI): Fortress of Solitude
New Blitz Royale week themes
New Luminary Hypatia Pack
ICON Series emotes
Updated files for old collaborations
Additional leaks for Chapter 6 Season 4
Companions feature – more data may be added
There is also speculation of a potential Deadmau5 collaboration, though this has yet to be confirmed by Epic.
— (@)
Bug fixes and ongoing development
In addition to new content, Update 36.20 is expected to deliver several bug fixes aimed at improving overall game performance. Epic Games’ development team had taken a summer break during June, and this update marks a return to their regular content rollout schedule.
The game recently introduced Blitz Royale mode and Squid Grounds Reload, which helped fill the content gap during the break. Fans can expect more regular updates going forward.
When will servers be back online?
Although exact timing can vary, Fortnite updates typically require between two to three hours to complete. If there are no delays, players can expect servers to come back online by midday BST.
Players are advised to keep an eye on the official @FortniteStatus page for real-time updates on maintenance progress and patch availability.
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Forza Horizon 5 on the PlayStation platform highlights the growing demand for cross-platform experiences
Forza Horizon 5 has reportedly sold over 2 million units on PS5 within its first month
The figure is based on public projections from Alinea Analytics
The game topped PlayStation Store charts in Europe and placed in the top 3 in North America
The PS5 version launched in 2025, with cross-platform features introduced by Turn 10 Studios
Racing title reportedly reaches 2 million PS5 sales in one month
Forza Horizon 5 has reportedly achieved over two million unit sales on PlayStation 5 in its first month following release. The figure was shared by Turn 10 Studios game designer Harrison B. on LinkedIn, where they stated they had contributed to cross-platform features that enabled the title’s PS5 success.
The statement, spotted by Bluesky user Timur222, has gained attention online. However, Harrison later clarified that the two million sales figure is not new data but based on public projections published by Alinea Analytics.
Designer credits cross-platform support for strong sales
In the LinkedIn post, Harrison stated:
“Created cross-platform feature designs enabling Forza Horizon 5 (PS5, 2025) to sell 2 million units in one month on PS5 alone.”
The designer later reached out to VGChartz to clarify the source of the sales number, stating:
“The 2mil figure is based off of public projections... it is not unfortunately new news. Appreciate y’all’s passion for the franchise tho!”
While not official sales data, the figure aligns with the title’s strong performance on the PlayStation platform since its launch.
Howdy! Saw an article of yours that has incorrect info attributed to me. The 2mil figure is based off of public projections from here, it is not unfortunately new news: alineaanalytics.com/blog/ps_may_...Appreciate ya'lls passion for the franchise tho!
Forza Horizon 5 continues momentum with global success
Ahead of its PS5 release, Forza Horizon 5 had already surpassed 45 million players globally, based on the in-game Hall of Fame leaderboard. The game, originally exclusive to Xbox and PC platforms, expanded its audience with the 2025 PS5 release.
In its launch month, Forza Horizon 5 topped the PlayStation Store charts across Europe. In the US and Canada, it ranked third—still a significant showing for a title previously unavailable on the platform. It remained in the top position across both regions for the month of May.
No official Sony or Microsoft confirmation
As of now, neither Microsoft nor Sony has officially confirmed the PS5 sales figure. However, the success of Forza Horizon 5 on the PlayStation platform highlights the growing demand for cross-platform experiences and the potential for Microsoft’s first-party titles to find new audiences beyond Xbox.
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PlayStation Plus subscribers are set to lose access to two major titles next month
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will leave PS Plus in August
Cyberpunk 2077 leads the new additions from 15 July
Other new titles include Abiotic Factor, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, and Risk of Rain 2
Several more games are also set to leave, including Wild Hearts, UFC 5, and Bugsnax
PlayStation Plus subscribers are set to lose access to two major titles next month, with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor confirmed to leave the service in August 2025.
The update follows today’s (15 July) new additions to the platform’s games library, which include Cyberpunk 2077—the sci-fi RPG from CD Projekt Red that launched as the follow-up to The Witcher 3. Although Cyberpunk had a problematic release in 2020, the game has seen substantial updates and is now considered a far more stable and expansive experience.
Two major titles set to leave
Subscribers have just a few weeks left to access The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, widely considered one of the best role-playing games of all time. First released in 2015, the title continues to receive updates and remains popular nearly a decade on. Its departure from PS Plus comes just ahead of planned mod support for the PlayStation version.
Also exiting in August is Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, the 2023 sequel to Jedi: Fallen Order. The action-adventure game continues the story of Cal Kestis and is praised for its metroidvania-inspired structure, strong narrative and polished combat. With a more compact campaign than The Witcher 3, players may still have time to complete it before it is removed from the platform.
Other games leaving PS Plus next month include:
Wild Hearts
UFC 5
TopSpin 2K25
Ride 5
Bugsnax
Vacation Simulator
Naruto To Boruto: Shinobi Striker
Sword Art Online: Last Recollection
Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet
Sword Art Online: Hollow Realisation
Sword Art Online: Lost Song
New titles now available
Replacing the outgoing games are several notable additions, led by Cyberpunk 2077, which now benefits from multiple patches and content updates, including the Phantom Liberty expansion. The game’s early issues on PlayStation consoles even led to a temporary removal from the PlayStation Store, but it has since made a strong recovery.
Also new to PS Plus this month is Abiotic Factor, a survival-crafting game from Deep Field Games. Although the PS5 release is new, the game originally launched on PC in 2023 and holds an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam, with over 32,000 reviews.
Another highlight is Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, a supernatural action-RPG from Don’t Nod, released earlier this year. Set in a haunted 17th-century North America, it blends emotional storytelling with combat mechanics.
The July update also includes:
Risk of Rain 2 – a fast-paced roguelike shooter
Amazon’s New World: Aeternum – a reworked version of the 2021 MMO with new features for console
What to expect
While The Witcher 3 and Jedi: Survivor will be missed, Cyberpunk 2077 offers players a vast open-world experience with a strong narrative, now in a far more polished state. Meanwhile, Abiotic Factor and Banishers introduce fresh genre variety for those looking for survival or story-rich titles.
PlayStation Plus subscribers are advised to complete any ongoing playthroughs of the games set to leave in August, particularly the more time-intensive RPGs.
For a full list of current and upcoming PS Plus changes, users can check the PlayStation Store or official announcements from Sony.