GTA 6 is now the most pre-ordered game ever on both the PlayStation Store and the Microsoft Store, according to Sony and Microsoft. Sony announced the record in a PlayStation Blog post that opened PS5 pre-loading nine days before the November 19 launch, pointing to "unprecedented demand" for the early start. Xbox then called it "the most pre-ordered title of all time on the Microsoft Store" while confirming that GTA 6 will stream to Xbox One through Cloud Gaming. Neither company shared actual numbers, however.

Sensor Tower's tracker fills some of that gap. As of November 10, the firm estimates 9.69 million pre-orders worth about $942 million net of returns, up from 7.71 million a week earlier and 6.45 million in late October. PlayStation holds roughly 75% of that with 7.23 million copies and $703 million, while Xbox sits at 2.46 million copies and $239 million. That averages out to around $97 per copy, which fits with most buyers going for the $100 Ultimate Edition. If accurate, GTA 6 has passed the 8 million pre-orders CD Projekt reported for Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020. The comparison isn't quite like-for-like, though, since Cyberpunk also launched on PC and likely counted physical copies, while Sensor Tower seems to track digital console orders only.

Xbox One owners will be able to play GTA 6 when it launches on November 19, while PC players still have no official way in. In its pre-load announcement, which also confirmed a 30 FPS target on consoles, Rockstar says the game will be available through Xbox Cloud Gaming on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, using Xbox Series S graphics settings. Xbox says streaming opens at 1 AM ET on launch day, and the game still has to be bought separately. Rockstar also warns that connection speed and other technical factors may affect performance in ways that local play would not.

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma framed the news as the start of a much bigger deal with Rockstar's parent company. In a post on X, she called the Xbox One cloud launch the first step of a new 10-year strategic partnership with Take-Two, adding that GTA 6 is already the most pre-ordered game ever on the Microsoft Store. Neither company has shared the terms of that partnership so far. Xbox did confirm that GTA 5, Red Dead Redemption 2, and more Rockstar titles will join Xbox Cloud Gaming in the coming months. Back in October, Sharma reportedly told staff at an internal town hall that Xbox had something planned around GTA 6 that "no other platform holder is doing," which led to reports of exclusive streaming rights. Xbox CSO Matthew Ball shot those down shortly after, saying the game "will not be streaming exclusively or to PC."

Grand Theft Auto VI is now available for pre-load for gamers who pre-ordered the game, allowing them to start the download. With the game launching on November 19, Rockstar has confirmed that it will run at 30 frames per second on consoles, utilizing their integrated graphics for maximum visual fidelity. This means that while the studio has invested significant resources to maximize the performance of these console graphics cards, the game will be capped at 30 FPS to ensure stability and optimal visual quality. Current generation consoles are limited to 30 FPS, although some will receive additional features.

For instance, Sony's PlayStation 5 Pro will offer gamers PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) and ray-traced shadows, exclusive to that console. Although the standard PlayStation 5 supports a similar technology called Quick Spectral Super Resolution (QSSR), a simplified version of PSSR, it will not be implemented at launch. Only the more powerful PS5 Pro will feature PSSR and ray tracing.

8BitDo has officially announced the Ultimate 3C+ Wired controller for Xbox as a $39.99 Xbox controller that incorporates many of the same features as the Ultimate 3C+ Wireless launched in October, but at a much lower price. The 3C+ Wired controller has a traditional Xbox layout on both the face buttons and the offset analog sticks, but it features additional customization options that set it apart from a regular Xbox controller.

The headline features of the Ultimate 3C+ Wired controller include TMR joysticks with adjustable tension, which are supposed to resist joystick drift; remappable fast-trigger L4 and R4 buttons for additional inputs and faster trigger response times; Hall effect triggers with switchable dual-mode functionality; and a 3.5 mm audio jack at the bottom of the controller for more immersive sound. It also has two additional back paddles with an integrated paddle lock to prevent accidental activations.

Nintendo Switch 2 owners can now play Call of Duty: Warzone for free, without buying Modern Warfare 4. The battle royale arrived on the eShop with the start of Season 1 on November 6, which also fully folds Modern Warfare 4 into Warzone. According to Activision, the Switch 2 version gets the same features and seasonal content as every other platform, including the new Hajin battle royale map set in South Korea, the Zodiac Resurgence map, and all other playlists. Progress is tied to your Activision account. At the same time, Warzone has stopped running on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, though players on those consoles can carry their progress over to any supported platform by logging in with the same account.

This comes about two weeks after Modern Warfare 4 launched on October 23 as the first Call of Duty on a Nintendo console since Ghosts on the Wii U back in 2013, something that was first rumored late last year. Infinity Ward built that port natively for Switch 2 with help from Digital Legends, and the game has generally been well received, at least on PC. However, Activision hasn't shared resolution or frame rate targets for Warzone on Switch 2. Modern Warfare 4's multiplayer reportedly aims for 60 FPS when docked, with a fairly low base resolution and upscaling, but Warzone's large maps and player counts will probably be tougher to run. Readers planning to play on Switch 2 may want to wait for proper performance tests before making it their main platform.

A developer who goes by levi on X has announced Utsuro, a new project that runs Xbox One games on Apple devices. It's still very early, but the developer says it already runs Minecraft: Xbox One Edition "extremely well," and the attached video shows it running on iOS with touchscreen controls. According to the project's GitHub page, Minecraft hits around 36 to 60 FPS on the Mac build, and Sonic Mania and Rocket League run there too, complete with screenshots. Sonic Mania is marked as playable at around 57 FPS with sound, while Rocket League renders and drives at roughly 15 to 20 FPS, with dark lighting and no audio yet.

Utsuro also works differently from a typical emulator. Apparently, it skips hardware emulation altogether and runs the console's Windows-based software layer as x86-64 code on Apple's Arm chips through FEXCore, and fills in the system pieces the console itself would normally provide. Graphics go through Apple's Metal API, with the Xbox One's Direct3D 11.X shaders converted to Metal's shader language, while audio runs on CoreAudio. Getting it running isn't exactly simple either. On iOS, the app has to be sideloaded, needs a JIT helper like StikDebug, TrollStore, or a jailbroken device, and expects a decrypted dump of the game. The macOS version currently has to be built from source.

Take-Two has signed a new long-term Xbox Publisher License Agreement with Microsoft, according to an 8-K filing with the SEC. Signed on September 28 and effective from September 17, it gives Take-Two the right to develop, publish, manufacture, market, advertise, distribute, and sell Xbox-compatible products for "all Xbox devices." It also replaces all of the company's existing Xbox publisher agreements. The filing doesn't mention Project Helix by name, but it's probably covered under the "all devices" wording. On the commercial side, Microsoft pays Take-Two the wholesale price and/or an agreed revenue share on digital sales, and charges fees and royalties on physical media.

Microsoft keeps the right to approve each game concept, the final build, and any packaging or marketing that carries its marks. The full agreement will be attached to Take-Two's 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30. Interestingly, Take-Two's 2020 deal mentioned the Xbox One and Xbox Series X platforms specifically, while "all Xbox devices" is much broader. It looks like this is meant to cover whatever Xbox ships next, which would fit with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma saying the team is working on a "great family of devices" for Helix. Take-Two doesn't explain the change, and it could also be routine housekeeping. The first Take-Two game under this updated deal is GTA 6, which is still scheduled for November 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

The Xbox Disc-to-Digital licensing program recently launched to insiders, effectively paving the way to a discless future for Xbox, while still allowing the brand to market its console as backwards compatible. Following just over a month of public testing, Microsoft has just announced that the Disc-to-Digital program has officially launched for everyone, not just Xbox Insiders.

The launch also comes with some updates and a more robust support page that details a few notable features, terms, and conditions. Most notably, it seems as though the Disc-to-Digital licensing is not guaranteed. Microsoft notes that "Not all Xbox One or Xbox Series X game discs are eligible for disc to digital licensing. Eligibility may change over time, and varies due to technical, licensing, publishing, manufacturing, and other factors," suggesting that games may be added and removed from the program at Microsoft's whim. In the announcement post on X, the fine print also notes that all digital game licenses are revokable.

When Xbox previously announced its Disc-to-Digital attestation program, it said that many publishers were working to bring their games to the insider program, and, thanks to tests by gamers, it has been confirmed that Ubisoft is one of those major publishers to join D2D. One specific post on X says that Trials Fusion, Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection, Assassin's Creed Syndicate, and Far Cry Primal were all able to be registered via the Disc-to-Digital program.

The gamer who shared their results also notes that it does not appear that those games are playable on PC via the Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC program. Corroborating the post on X, the changelog on Xbox Collection Tracker (XCT) shows pages on pages of new Ubisoft franchises confirmed to be part of the D2D program, including Watch Dogs, Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and the Tom Clancy franchise. These include titles published on both the Xbox Series consoles and the Xbox One. So far, the community-driven XCT lists 1,478 games confirmed as being part of the Disc-to-Digital program.

Valheim launched into Steam Early Access in February 2021 and quickly garnered attention, launching with over 500,000 peak concurrent players on Steam and still counting over 20,000 daily concurrent players at the time of writing. Now, over five years after the Early Access launch, the open-world survival-craft game is finally launching out of Early Access, with a slew of new content and a new biome in-tow.

Aside from new content, including weapons, new traversal options, a new dungeon type, and a new mount, among others, Valheim 1.0 also sees the game get an official Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 launch, and it makes cross-play available for all platforms. The update officially launches on September 9 on all platforms, including Windows, Linux, macOS, the Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2.

A new disc-to-digital attestation program has long been rumored to be launching around the time of the next-gen Xbox Helix game console, but, confirming the most recent leaks, Xbox's Jason Ronald, VP of Next Generation, has announced the launch of the disc-to-digital program in a new post on Xbox Wire.

The digital license attestation program will be available for "most Xbox One and Xbox Series X disc-based games," and it will allow players to claim a digital entitlement by inserting a supported disc into the Xbox One or Series X and launching the game. After that, the game will be playable on the console as well as via Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Xbox claims that this new program is part of its "broader commitment to game preservation," and the program basically serves as a test run for the Helix console, which is expected to launch with full backwards compatibility, despite not having a physical disc drive.

Microsoft's internal roadmap for the Disc to Digital feature has been leaked, revealing that the feature will be generally available this month. According to the roadmap, an insider beta of the Disc to Digital feature has been available since July, with general availability for Xbox One and Series X owners expected in August. For those unfamiliar, Disc to Digital is Microsoft's initiative to promote a digital-only future for Xbox consoles. This feature allows players to insert their game discs into the console to convert them into digital licenses. When the disc is scanned, Microsoft uses the unique key to create a digital license, which prevents the disc from being activated on third-party consoles and stops it from being rented, borrowed, or sold to others.

This marks a significant shift away from physical disc game releases, as both Sony and Microsoft are moving towards ending disc-based games, encouraging gamers to use digital licenses exclusively. According to the roadmap, Xbox One and Series X users will be the first to scan their games and obtain digital licenses, as these consoles have physical disc readers. Game licensing will now be tied to the specific user account, with Xbox managing all engineering, certification, and support efforts if any issues arise. However, publishers retain the right to participate, maintaining full control over rights, pricing, and branding.

Leading gaming accessories maker Turtle Beach Corporation, today revealed the all-new Stealth Pro II wireless multiplatform gaming headset which distinctly sits at the audio summit as the complete gaming peripheral. The Stealth Pro II is the successor to the highly lauded Stealth Pro and represents both Turtle Beach's legacy of gaming sound and the future of premium audio versatility. As the latest and ultimate gaming headset, the Stealth Pro II Wireless Gaming Headset is for anyone who demands flagship-level audio and microphone performance, seamless device switching and stunning design.

The Stealth Pro II lets you hear what you've never been able to hear before—but could it stand up to the master of stealth himself? To find out, Turtle Beach tracked down the world's last surviving ninja, Jinichi Kawakami, and flew him from Japan for the ultimate IRL showdown. One gamer. One ninja. One headset. With the advanced audio of the Stealth Pro II, the gamer was able to capture every sound the ninja made. It was the ultimate stealth showdown highlighting Turtle Beach's legacy of gaming sound and stunning audio performance. If the Stealth Pro II can hear a ninja, it can hear anything. Visit the Turtle Beach website to put your Ninja hearing to the test.

Asha Sharma, the new CEO of Xbox, recently announced that the next-gen Xbox gaming console is called the Xbox Helix—at least for the time being—and hinted that more information would be revealed about the upcoming Xbox at GDC 2026. Now, GDC is here, and Xbox has delivered on that hint, with Xbox VP of Next Generation, Jason Ronald, divulging more information about Project Helix in a panel. The most notable piece of information that emerged about the console is that alpha versions of Helix dev kits would start shipping to customers as early as the end of 2027. This more or less confirms the recently rumored 2027-2028 launch window of the next-gen Xbox.

Ronald also reiterated that the next-gen Xbox is "designed to play your Xbox console and PC games," although it's still somewhat unclear if Helix will be a full-fledged console-PC hybrid à la Valve's Steam Machine—although rumors suggest that this will be the case. The executive also confirmed that it is working with AMD on a slew of new machine learning-powered tech, including FSR Diamond, which AMD also announced at GDC, and that the new AMD SoC would be designed around upcoming DirectX versions for improved ray tracing, performance, and efficiency. He also confirmed that the Helix will continue the backwards compatibility trend that Xbox has become known for, promising that Xbox will continue to play games made for the last four generations of consoles. Presumably, this means that the Helix will be able to play games from the Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Xbox 360 generations as well as games designed for the Xbox Helix.

Marathon recently had quite a successful server slam weekend, drawing in nearly 150,000 players at one point on Steam alone. In the hours since its March 5 launch, it has consistently played host to around 80,000 concurrent players, showing that it wasn't just the free test drawing players into the new extraction shooter. However, it seems as though Bungie wants to include as many gamers in the fun as possible, according to the game's ESRB rating, which has recently been updated to include both the Xbox One and PlayStation 5 in addition to the previous ratings for PC, Xbox Series, and PlayStation 5 platforms.

Bungie has not confirmed whether it is planning to bring Marathon to older systems, but it's curious nonetheless that the game would receive a dedicated rating for last-gen consoles, especially since older games that launched on last-gen consoles but have since become playable on new consoles, like Destiny 2, have not been updated at the ESRB to include newer console generations in their ratings. Marathon's minimum hardware requirements for PC are far from high-end, calling for just an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT and an Intel Core i5-6600 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 with 8 GB of RAM. The PS4, for its part, is powered by an AMD GCN 1.1.0 GPU with 1152 shading units, coming in at around 1.843 TFLOPS theoretical performance, which is substantially lower than the GTX 1050 Ti's 2.183 TFLOPS, but given the nature of tailored console hardware, it wouldn't be surprising if it could be run smoothly on the aging hardware. However, it has been reported that Marathon runs fairly well on Windows gaming handhelds, so it may be technically possible to get the game running on older consoles if the development team decides to put in the work.

Wishfully Studios and Thunderful invite players to visit a stunning world and experience a heartfelt story of companionship in Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf, available now on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation 5 PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch for $19.99 / €19.99 / £16.99.

A Supporter Pack for the game is also available for PC and PlayStation 5, which includes a digital art book, the Novo Language Companion - a guide to the game's language - and, for PC, stunning wallpapers and backgrounds. A demo for the game launched today on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch and remains available on PC, PlayStation and Xbox platforms.

February was a big month as we launched a lot of new features and updates, all with one thought in mind: improving your Xbox gaming experience. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can now stream their favorite games at up to 1440p resolution on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One X and Xbox One S consoles. On the Xbox PC app, we've added new sounds to help improve your controller navigation responsiveness. We've also listened to your feedback and added several new updates to the ROG Xbox Ally, including the ability to easily format your removable storage.

And, in case you missed it, we recently released Postgame Recaps to Xbox Insiders, which provides a recap of your recent gameplay on your PC, and the updated Xbox Cloud Gaming web experience is now in public preview for Insiders. Read all about these exciting updates, including new game additions, below.

GameSir, a leading innovator in gaming peripherals, today announced the official launch of its special edition GameSir G7 Pro Zenless Zone Zero Edition Wireless Controller for Xbox, PC & Android. This premium controller, developed in an official collaboration with Zenless Zone Zero, has been engineered to meet the demands of competitive play while celebrating the bold aesthetic of New Eridu. Xbox-licensed, the G7 Pro offers 2.4G wireless support for Xbox consoles plus wired connectivity for flexible, lag-free play. The GameSir G7 Pro - Zenless Zone Zero is available for $139.99 or £139.99.

The bundle features a translucent controller design inspired by Bangboo and Phaethon, delivering a striking New Eridu aesthetic. It also includes exclusive collaboration accessories: an interchangeable faceplate, Zenless Zone Zero-themed thumbstick covers, swappable stick caps, a protective carry case, and a custom acrylic keychain. Built for responsiveness and reliability, the G7 Pro Zenless Zone Zero stands at the forefront of controller innovation. GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks are also a stand-out feature of the G7 Pro range. Representing an evolution beyond Hall Effect technology, these advanced sticks merge the pinpoint precision and low power consumption of traditional potentiometers with the durability and stability of magnetic sensing. The result is smoother movement, higher and more stable polling rates, and a truly anti-drift experience designed for long-term competitive play.

Out today on PC and Xbox, Routine is a sci-fi horror game built around a 1980s vision of the future that takes place on our moon. Routine was made with a particular kind of game experience in mind for players, so we'd love to take this opportunity to talk about a few key elements that form the foundation of its art and design.

Relatable Science Fiction
When we started making Routine, we realised that creating a sci-fi world can sometimes conflict with immersion and horror. That is mainly because it is surprisingly easy to fall into the trap of building fantastical environments that end up losing a sense of relatability. We didn't let that stop us from exploring more creative ideas, but it did force us to think carefully about what actually needed to be redesigned, and what didn't.

Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe today releases The Forsaken Hollows, a DLC for the multiplayer co-op survival action game Elden Ring Nightreign by FromSoftware, Inc. Elden Ring Nightreign: The Forsaken Hollows is available today for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
With The Forsaken Hollows, Nightfarers will see their ranks grow, with two new archetypes joining the roundtable to see the hunt to its end: Scholar and Undertaker. Watch their respective reveal trailer here and here.

Scholar is a trained academic, excelling in the art of spellcasting; he boasts impressive arcane knowledge and gains incredible advantages on the battlefield through keen observation. Undertakeris driven by faith and strength; mandated by her monastery to slay the Nightlord, she is an unassuming gatekeeper to the afterlife using her uncanny strength to annihilate her enemies with ruthless efficiency.

Mana Potion Studio and Pingle Studio are proud to announce that Becastled is now available on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5 & 4, Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Following yesterday's 1.0 release on PC, Becastled makes its console debut today, introducing a fully overhauled UI, mighty bosses, road-building mechanics and other refinements designed for both newcomers and seasoned defenders of the Sun Kingdom.

Becastled combines the relaxing rhythm of city-building games with intense, RTS-like siege defense. By day, players manage and expand their settlement, gathering resources, building farms, and fortifying the castle. By night, they will defend the walls against waves of attackers as rams, siege towers, and even dragons batter their gates until dawn.

Players can now play as Low and Alone, and try to escape the Spiral, a dangerous world filled with delusions in Little Nightmares III, available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Developed by SuperMassive Games, and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe, the game explores a brand-new story with original protagonists, and can now play in online co-op for the first time in the franchise's history.

Set in the Spiral, a world filled with delusions located within the Nowhere, Little Nightmares III has you play as Low & Alone, two children who will have to work together to find an escape. Low, is a young boy with a blue cape and a mask while Alone, his best friend, wears a green jumpsuit and pigtails. Both are equipped with an iconic item that will help them fend off threats and solve the different puzzles that block their way out. For the first time in the franchise, online co-op is available, and thanks to Friend's Pass, players will be able to invite a friend to escape the Spiral together. More information on Friend's Pass here: https://en.bandainamcoent.eu/l...

GameSir, a leading innovator in gaming peripherals, today announced the official launch of the GameSir G7 Pro, an advanced multi-platform controller designed for pro-level performance across Xbox, PC, and Android devices. Building upon the legacy of its predecessors—the G7, G7 SE, and G7 HE—the G7 Pro introduces a wealth of upgrades, including Hall Effect analog triggers with clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, enhanced latency and polling rate, and the new GameSir Mag-Res TMR sticks, delivering anti-drift accuracy and ultra-smooth control. The GameSir G7 Pro is available for $79.99/£79.99 from Amazon US, Amazon UK, Best Buy and the GameSir website.

Available in sleek Black and White finishes, the G7 Pro embraces a versatile tri-mode connectivity model. It supports wired play for Xbox, wired and 2.4G wireless connections for PC, and Bluetooth for Android, all accessible via a physical mode switch for effortless platform transitions. A detachable cable retainer ensures a secure and stable connection during wired sessions. At the core of its precision is GameSir's Mag-Res TMR stick technology, which merges the low power consumption of traditional potentiometers with the longevity and stability of Hall Effect sticks. As the first Xbox-licensed controller featuring TMR sticks, this innovation enables faster response times and consistent in-game control, further supported by a 1000 Hz polling rate when connected to PC via wired or 2.4 GHz.

GameSir, a leading innovator in gaming peripherals, has today officially launched the T7 Pro Floral Wired Controller for Xbox, bringing together sophisticated design and professional-grade gaming performance. The controller blends functionality with striking visual appeal, highlighted by a stunning floral-patterned matte shell, semi-transparent design, and vibrant dynamic RGB lighting. With broad platform compatibility, drift-resistant Hall Effect sticks, ultra-responsive triggers, and advanced customization through the GameSir Nexus software, the T7 Pro Floral sets a new standard in wired controller excellence. The GameSir T7 Pro Floral Wired Controller for Xbox is available for $49.99/£49.99 from Best Buy and the GameSir website.

Engineered for versatility, the T7 Pro Floral is compatible with Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11, and Steam, offering ultra-smooth, low-latency gameplay across platforms. Its signature floral design is complemented by dynamic RGB lighting that enhances any gaming setup with a bold, luminous aesthetic. At the core of its performance, the controller features GameSir Anti-Drift Hall Effect sticks, leveraging non-contact magnetic technology for unmatched longevity and accuracy—rated for up to 5 million cycles. Combined with Hall Effect analog triggers and 2-stage trigger stops, players can toggle between precision linear input and rapid-fire responsiveness, depending on the gaming scenario.

Embrace style and performance with the GameSir T7 Pro Floral, featuring a stunning floral-patterned matte shell. Its semi-transparent design and dynamic RGB lighting create a mesmerizing visual experience. Designed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11 and Steam, it delivers an ultra-smooth, low-latency gaming experience. Now available for pre-order on gamesir.com and Best Buy.

Built to Last. Engineered to Perform.
Using GameSir non-contact magnetic Hall Effect technology to ensure the sticks never wear down in their lifetime and provide an ultra lifespan of up to 5 million cycles, the T7 Pro Floral prevents stick drift and ensures reliable, durable stick performance. At the same time, GameSir's precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers offer unparalleled smoothness and responsiveness. With 2-stage trigger stops, gamers can toggle the triggers to a short pull position. Whether you need precise linear control or ultimate responsiveness, the T7 Pro Floral gives you the competitive edge you need.