GTA 6 Pre-Orders Open, Xbox Price Hikes, Bungie Layoffs
The video game industry experienced a week of extreme contrasts, marked by record-breaking anticipation for upcoming blockbusters alongside severe corporate restructuring. While players rushed to secure pre-orders for the next generation's biggest release, major platform holders and developers faced mounting financial pressures, leading to global hardware price hikes and devastating studio layoffs.
Grand Theft Auto VI Pre-Orders Spark Physical Media Controversy
Rockstar Games officially opened pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S ahead of its November 19, 2026 release date, with the standard edition priced at $79.99 USD and the Ultimate Edition at $99.99 USD +2. However, the launch has been overshadowed by controversy after Rockstar confirmed that physical retail copies will not contain a disc, shipping instead with a digital download code
+5. This decision prompted some independent retailers to refuse to stock the game, while raising broader concerns about digital ownership and game preservation
.
Despite the physical media backlash, demand is driving massive hardware interest, with retailers warning of potential PlayStation 5 console shortages this holiday season . Early data suggests PlayStation 5 pre-orders are outpacing Xbox Series X/S versions by a six-to-one margin, though Microsoft has disputed these figures and reported record pre-orders of their own
. Meanwhile, technical experts at Digital Foundry have cast doubt on a 60fps mode for current-gen consoles, suggesting a 40fps target on the PlayStation 5 Pro is more realistic
.
Xbox Series X/S Prices Rise Globally Amid Microsoft Layoffs
Microsoft has announced a significant global price increase for its Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles, raising retail costs by $100 to $150 USD starting August 1, 2026 +1. The company blamed skyrocketing RAM and storage component costs for the decision, which has also led to the sunsetting of the 2TB Xbox Series X model
.
This hardware price spike coincides with severe internal turmoil, as unionized Xbox employees protest impending massive layoffs across Microsoft's gaming division . Amidst these cuts, State of Decay 3 developer Undead Labs is reportedly facing a severe funding crisis and is actively searching for an external buyer or investor to survive
. Undead Labs is one of four Xbox-owned studios currently seeking external funding, despite recently confirming its sandbox survival game for the PlayStation 5
.
Sony Cuts Bungie Staff as Destiny 2 Falls Short
PlayStation first-party developer Bungie has laid off 292 full-time employees at its Bellevue headquarters after Destiny 2 fell short of commercial expectations +1. The massive reduction in force has reportedly wiped out almost the entire Destiny 2 development team and led to the departure of co-founder Jason Jones and studio head Justin Truman
.
Despite these devastating cuts, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino emphasized that the company remains committed to its live-service strategy, with titles like Helldivers 2 and the upcoming Marathon remaining crucial for global growth . At the same time, Sony is facing consumer backlash after announcing it will permanently delete over 550 purchased digital movies from user PlayStation libraries, further fueling the ongoing debate over digital ownership
.
PlayStation 6 Handheld Rumors Grow as Manufacturing Costs Leak
Sony Interactive Entertainment has dropped strong hints that its next-generation PlayStation 6 console will feature a portable model designed to extend experiences "beyond the living room" . However, industry leaks suggest the PlayStation 6 could cost Sony up to $1,000 to manufacture due to soaring global component prices
. Because Sony does not plan to sell the hardware at a loss, retail prices could easily exceed that estimate, even as current PlayStation 5 demand remains strong despite price increases to $650
.
Nintendo Switch 2 Drives Physical Sales and Announces Splatoon Raiders
The Nintendo Switch 2 has completed a highly successful first year, helping US physical game spending achieve its first year-on-year increase since 2009 . Software momentum remains strong, with Velan Studios' Star Fox remake earning high praise for its visuals and topping the UK boxed charts immediately after its June 25, 2026 launch
+2.
To keep the momentum going, Nintendo has scheduled a dedicated Splatoon Raiders Nintendo Direct presentation for June 30 to showcase the upcoming single-player spin-off . Additionally, the company has broken ground on a massive new ¥121 billion Technology Development Center in Kyoto, scheduled for completion in March 2029
.
Star Wars Eclipse at Risk of Cancellation Due to Quantic Dream Strike
The highly anticipated action-adventure game Star Wars Eclipse is facing a serious threat of cancellation due to an ongoing labor dispute at developer Quantic Dream . The French video game union STJV has called for a national strike in response to a proposed reorganization that puts 115 jobs at risk
. Striking developers have warned that the ambitious open-world project is already severely understaffed and literally cannot be finished if the planned layoffs are executed
.
Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls and Granblue Fantasy Lead EVO 2026 Reveals
The annual EVO 2026 fighting game championships in Los Angeles delivered a wave of major announcements, headlined by Arc System Works and Marvel Games revealing the final roster for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls . Blade, Loki, and Deadpool will join the launch roster as part of the "Samurai Outriders" team, with an open beta planned soon on PlayStation 5 and PC
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Additionally, Cygames announced that Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising will launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on September 17, 2026, alongside its 2.60 update and new DLC character Id . Other notable reveals included guest fighter Mina the Hollower joining Rivals of Aether II in 2027, and Robo-Ky coming to Guilty Gear: Strive on July 2, 2026
.
Cyberpunk Edgerunners Season 2 Confirms Autumn Release Window
Netflix and CD Projekt Red have released the first teaser trailer for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Season 2, confirming the highly anticipated anime sequel will debut this autumn +1. The new season will feature a brand-new cast of four tech-infused characters navigating Night City, coinciding with CD Projekt's decision to officially rebrand its parent company name to CD Projekt Red
.
Meanwhile, several major game releases have shifted schedules to avoid the crowded holiday window. Publisher CI Games delayed Lords of the Fallen 2 to early 2027 to escape the shadow of Grand Theft Auto VI, while Kinetic Games pushed the 1.0 release of Phasmophobia to 2027 to prioritize quality over speed .