8th – 13th January, 2026
Report: Xbox Series X|S Sold Over 12 Million Units in First 18 Months Across 40+ Countries
According to Mark Stanley, Head of Global Expansion Strategy for Hardware and Devices at Microsoft, the current-generation Xbox consoles achieved significant early sales.
📈 Sales Figure: Over 12 million units sold.
⏱️ Timeframe: Within the first 18 months on the market.
🌍 Market Reach: Across more than 40 countries.
The data, shared via LinkedIn, highlights the platform’s substantial global launch footprint.
Jason Schreier Elaborates on GTA VI Timeline, Notes Development Realities
🗓️ Probable Window: He stands by Fall 2026 being “much more realistic” than a 2025 release and sees no signs of an imminent new delay.
Constant Caveat: He emphasizes that game development is long and complex, so a delay always remains a possibility until launch.
🎬 Historical Precedent: He notes that Red Dead Redemption 2 was not content-complete until 4 months before launch, with mocap work ongoing even later.
Embark CEO: ARC Raiders Will Not Feature PvP Leaderboards
Embark CEO: “Shooting players isn’t the ethos.” Combat is to “build tension.”
📊 No Leaderboards
🎯 Design Ethos
⚔️ Combat’s Role
Game’s emphasis on survival and cooperation over pure PvP
via GamesBeat
GTA VI is “Content Ready,” Making Nov 2026 Launch More Certain
According to reliable insider Tom Henderson, Grand Theft Auto VI has reached a critical internal milestone that strongly supports its target release date.
✅ Current Status: The game is now “content ready.”
This means all core missions, story, and gameplay elements are in place.
📅 Why It Matters: For comparison, Red Dead Redemption 2 was not content complete just four months before launch, with mocap work ongoing eight weeks prior.
🚂 Outlook: Being at this stage in early 2026 makes the November 2026 release window “more guaranteed than ever before.”
This suggests Rockstar is precisely where it wants to be in the final year of polish. The train is on track. 🚂
Micron Forecasts: RAM Supply Crisis to Persist Until 2028
The memory chip manufacturer has provided a sobering long-term outlook for the global market.
📅 Timeline: The company predicts that the current RAM shortage and high prices will continue through 2028.
🎯 Impact: This prolonged constraint is expected to affect the production, cost, and timing of a wide range of electronics, including PCs, consoles, smartphones, and servers.
The industry faces several more years of supply chain challenges. ⚙️
Rumor: The Division: Definitive Edition May Be Imminent
A leaked promotional image from Japan suggests an enhanced version of the original game could be announced soon.
🖼️ Source: A promotional image that surfaced in Japan includes the phrase “Definitive Edition.”
🎯 Likely Content: This typically indicates a re-release with all major DLC included and potential visual/performance upgrades for modern platforms.
An official announcement from Ubisoft may follow shortly.
Larian Studios CEO Details Cautious, Limited AI Policy for Divinity Series
In response to player feedback, the studio has clarified its stance on generative AI use:
🖼️ Creative Assets: Has stopped using AI for concept art. Any final creative assets will not use AI
⚙️ Development Tools: Will continue using AI internally to “improve the speed of experience and trial” (e.g., prototyping, testing).
📊 Data Governance: All AI use will be based on the company’s own data.
Layoffs Reported at Warner Bros. Games’ San Francisco Studio
A new wave of job cuts has impacted the publisher’s mobile-focused division.
📍 Studio: The Warner Bros. Games studio in San Francisco, which specializes in mobile titles.
👥 Impact: The layoffs affected several employees, including directors on the team.
These cuts are part of broader ongoing restructuring within the gaming and media industry.
Report: Ninja Theory’s Next Title is Hellblade 3
According to journalist Jez Corden on the XBOX TWO podcast, the studio behind Senua’s Saga is moving forward with a third mainline entry.
🎮 The Next Project: Development has shifted to “Hellblade 3” (final title TBC).
It will be set in the same world but aims to be “more interactive” and have “broader appeal” than its predecessors.
🚫 Project MARA Status: The experimental “Project MARA” is not currently in active development. Corden stated it “was just an idea and not a game
🎮 Major Xbox Franchises Heading to PS5 in 2026
🗓️ Confirmed Releases:
Avowed – Feb 17
Towerborne – Feb 26
South of Midnight – Spring 2026
Halo: Campaign Evolved – 2026
Call of Duty 2026 – Oct/Nov 2026
Forza Horizon 6 – 2026/27
🔍 Rumored Parts:
Starfield
Gears of War: E-Day
Fable
This lineup highlights Microsoft’s continued multi-platform strategy.
Phil Spencer on Xbox Developer_Direct: “I can’t wait for you to see what’s in store for 2026.”
Core purpose:
🎯 Focus: “Giving players direct communication with the developers and creators” of upcoming games.
The showcase is scheduled for later this month (January 2026).
Report: Sony Strategizing 2026 Releases Around GTA VI, Wolverine Possibly Slated for Fall
According to a new report from journalist Jason Schreier, Sony is carefully planning its 2026 release slate with Grand Theft Auto VI as the central pillar.
🗓️ Potential Wolverine Window: Insomniac’s Marvel’s Wolverine is speculated for a September or October 2026 release. This would position it weeks before GTA VI (Nov 19), avoiding a direct launch clash.
🎯 Sony’s Strategy: Schreier reports that Sony is planning “their entire release catalogue around GTA6”.
🤝 Platform Priority: This is based on the understanding that Rockstar considers PlayStation the game’s “main platform” for development and marketing.
Report: Crimson Desert Map to Surpass Red Dead Redemption 2 in Size
According to new information, the upcoming open-world action RPG from Pearl Abyss will feature a playable area larger than the expansive map of Red Dead Redemption 2.
🏹 Towerborne Launches Fully on February 26, 2026
The side-scrolling action game is leaving early access for its complete release.
🗓️ Release Date: February 26, 2026
💰 Price: $25 (not free-to-play)
🎮 Story-driven with replayable co-op content.
🖥️ Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC
🎫 Day-One Access: Xbox Game Pass.
♻️ Cross-Buy: Supports Xbox Play Anywhere.
GTA VI Development Update (As per Journalist Jason Schreier)
Status: Content not finished. Devs polishing/finalizing missions.
Date: Nov 2026 target, but not certain. Fiscal buffer until Mar 2027.
Priority: Rockstar’s most important project. Will delay over rushing.
Platform: Primarily dev’d on PS5. Sony banking on it for console sales.
Pressure: Take-Two relying on it commercially.
Japanese Developers Name GTA VI Their Most Anticipated Game of 2026
A Famitsu magazine survey of 171 Japanese game developers revealed that the majority are most excited for Rockstar’s upcoming title this year.
🎮 Top Pick: Grand Theft Auto VI was the most-cited answer.
Developer Insight: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi stated he looks forward to it for “inspiration from the quality and ingenuity of the game’s world-building.”
Domestic Excitement: Other developers highlighted anticipation for major Japanese titles like Pragmata and Resident Evil Requiem.
🎮 New PlayStation Hyperpop Collection
Sony is launching a vibrant new lineup of DualSense controllers and PS5 console covers inspired by neon hyperpop aesthetics.
🎨Techno Red, Remix Green, and Rhythm Blue.
🗓️ Launch: March 12, 2026.
🛒 Pre-orders: Go live January 16, 2026.
Image credits: PlayStation
