RuneScape 4, GTA 6 and Gaming Studio Layoffs
Jagex announces RuneScape 4 and apologizes for AI imagery in a RuneScape trailer, while Grand Theft Auto VI reveals new radio features as claims of a playable-build leak emerge . Layoffs at Ninja Theory, Supermassive Games and Gravity Well coincide with changes to game-company ownership and Xbox’s plans to expand its franchises
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Jagex Announces RuneScape 4 as AI Trailer Dispute Grows
Jagex confirms RuneScape 4 as a fourth MMO in the franchise, built in Unreal Engine, and says the project grew out of a planned RuneScape: Dragonwilds expansion . The game is still a long way off, while RuneScape Reignited is scheduled to launch on December 2 and Dragonwilds has a multi-year update roadmap for 2027
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The announcement comes amid criticism of generative AI in RuneScape marketing: Jagex pulled a RuneScape 3 trailer and apologized for AI imagery it attributed to an external partner . The dispute follows another reported use of generative AI in an Old School RuneScape apparel collaboration
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GTA 6 Reveals Radio Features as Leak Threat Escalates
Rockstar reveals six Grand Theft Auto VI radio stations and says characters can listen to radio and podcasts on foot through headphones or earbuds connected to their in-game smartphones . The studio also says the game will satirize society without direct political references, in part by avoiding trends that might feel dated by release
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The leak story develops from roughly 25 minutes of purported development footage to CyberLeek’s claimed threat to release a complete playable build, allegedly containing the full story . The group ties its offer to a cryptocurrency scheme soliciting payments for access
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Layoffs Hit Ninja Theory, Supermassive Games and Gravity Well
Ninja Theory begins layoffs after two agreements to sell the studio fall through . Supermassive Games lays off more than 70 employees, while Gravity Well cuts more than 40 developers after losing its funding
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Other studios face changes to staffing and development plans: Bit Reactor is bringing back more than half of the employees it furloughed ahead of Star Wars: Zero Company, while independent Undead Labs says layoffs require changes to State of Decay 3 .
Paramount, CD Projekt Red and Xbox Expand Game Franchises
Paramount has completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, with Paramount Games Studio and Warner Bros. Games combining under Skydance . Separately, Paramount Pictures and CD Projekt Red are developing a live-action film set in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe; no release date has been announced
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Xbox creates XP to coordinate plans for film, television, consumer products, partnerships and live experiences based on its franchises . Embark Studios is also working with Chernin Entertainment on film and television adaptations of ARC Raiders and The Finals
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Forza Horizon 6’s PS5 Release Moves to January 2027
Playground Games moves Forza Horizon 6’s PS5 release to January 26, 2027, after previously targeting a launch before the end of 2026; the first Premium Expansion is scheduled for January 21 . Ubisoft plans to shut down Rainbow Six Mobile on January 15, 2027, with a final season still planned before the closure
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The U.S. console market also faces pressure: Circana’s August data show PS5 as the only console with dollar-sales growth, while a separate analyst assessment cites low Xbox and PlayStation sales and record-high console prices .
Gears of War: E-Day Sales Estimates and Game Updates
Gears of War: E-Day reaches full release on October 6 after premium early access begins October 1 . Analyst estimates put first-week sales at about 230,000 copies, including roughly 168,000 on Steam, with Xbox accounting for an estimated 75% of revenue
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Elsewhere, ARC Raiders’ 2.0 update pushes its Steam concurrent-player count to a seven-month high . Sega announces Year 2 content and a permanent price reduction for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, with planned crossovers including Final Fantasy VII, Hello Kitty and classic Sega properties
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