Grand Theft Auto VI presales are running well ahead of Take-Two’s expectations, according to CEO Strauss Zelnick. The company is still keeping its champagne on ice until the game actually launches next week.
4:15 PMVariety45 stories from 5 sources
GTA VI hype reshapes gaming before launch
Day’s Recap
Supporting Articles
GTA 6 has become such a looming presence that some players reportedly delayed buying other games, including Take-Two’s own NBA 2K27. Its shadow also helped make the September release calendar feel unusually crowded.
4:41 PMIGN
A remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time gives Link's first 3D adventure a striking visual upgrade. The sharper details are making players question whether parts of the original game really looked the way they remember.
10:19 PMIGN
The Ocarina of Time remake makes plenty of changes, but one is causing the most immediate trouble: Link no longer jumps automatically. Players now have a dedicated jump button, and the adjustment is proving surprisingly awkward.
6:46 PMIGN
The Ocarina of Time remake on Switch 2 changes the fate of Richard, the beloved dog from the original game. It is a small adjustment, but this time the good boy gets the happier ending fans have wanted for decades.
6:00 PMPolygon
World of Warcraft Forever has set a new launch record for the long-running MMO, topping even the enormous interest seen during its beta. Blizzard says the release drew the biggest player turnout in WoW history.
2:27 PMIGNBlizzard has increased the experience players earn from dungeons in World of Warcraft Forever after sharply reducing it during the beta. The change helps, but players still view the reward system as too stingy to make dungeons feel worthwhile.
1:59 PMIGN
Skydance Games has confirmed staff layoffs following last month’s Warner Bros.-Paramount merger. The cuts add a gaming casualty to the wider restructuring around the newly combined company.
4:36 PMIGN
Skydance Games has started cutting jobs just weeks after Paramount Games was folded into Warner Bros. Games. The reshuffle brings major studios including Avalanche, NetherRealm, Rocksteady and TT Games under one structure, with layoffs now following the consolidation.
2:35 PMVariety
Take-Two is preparing stronger technical defenses and legal action against AI-assisted reverse-engineering and decompilation. The effort comes as Rockstar gears up for the highly anticipated launch of GTA 6.
6:18 PMIGN
Dataminers have found files in Nintendo's Ocarina of Time remake that may point to Master Quest content and possible links to Majora's Mask. Nothing has been confirmed, but the discoveries have Zelda fans speculating about post-launch additions.
1:15 PMIGN
PC players can now bring co-op back to Mass Effect 3 through a free ME3Tweaks mod released for N7 Day. The unofficial project restores a multiplayer feature that was left out of the Legendary Edition remaster.
4:00 PMPolygon4:15 PMVariety
‘GTA 6’ Presales ‘Far in Excess’ of Expectations Ahead of Next Week’s Launch, Take-Two CEO Says
Summary
Grand Theft Auto VI presales are running well ahead of Take-Two’s expectations, according to CEO Strauss Zelnick. The company is still keeping its champagne on ice until the game actually launches next week.
That is a huge early signal for the biggest game release in years, though executives
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
GTA 6 is already tracking like a blockbuster before players can even get their hands on it.
2 stories · 2 sources
4:41 PMIGN
GTA 6 Caused Some Gamers to Hold Off on Buying New Games — Including Take-Two's Own NBA 2K27, Strauss Zelnick Says
Summary
GTA 6 has become such a looming presence that some players reportedly delayed buying other games, including Take-Two’s own NBA 2K27. Its shadow also helped make the September release calendar feel unusually crowded.
When one game can make customers wait on an entirely different franchise, you are looking
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The game is affecting sales decisions across gaming months before launch.
10:19 PMIGN
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's High-Quality Visuals Have Players Second-Guessing Decades of Memories
Summary
A remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time gives Link's first 3D adventure a striking visual upgrade. The sharper details are making players question whether parts of the original game really looked the way they remember.
It is a familiar side effect of modern remakes: better graphics can expose details that
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The remake shows how dramatically improved visuals can reshape the way players remember a classic.
6:46 PMIGN
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Took Away Auto Jump, and Poor Link Is Paying the Price
Summary
The Ocarina of Time remake makes plenty of changes, but one is causing the most immediate trouble: Link no longer jumps automatically. Players now have a dedicated jump button, and the adjustment is proving surprisingly awkward.
Auto-jumping was one of those old Zelda habits players barely noticed until it vanished. Even
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A seemingly minor control tweak is reshaping how players move through one of Zelda's most familiar adventures.
6:00 PMPolygon
Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Gives Its Best Boy the Happy Ending He Deserved Decades Ago
Summary
The Ocarina of Time remake on Switch 2 changes the fate of Richard, the beloved dog from the original game. It is a small adjustment, but this time the good boy gets the happier ending fans have wanted for decades.
Remakes do not always need sweeping changes to make an impact. Sometimes fixing one heartbreaking
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A tiny story change gives a classic Zelda character the closure fans never forgot.
2:27 PMIGN
World of Warcraft Forever Is the Biggest WoW Launch in History
Summary
World of Warcraft Forever has set a new launch record for the long-running MMO, topping even the enormous interest seen during its beta. Blizzard says the release drew the biggest player turnout in WoW history.
That kind of launch suggests Blizzard has found a powerful mix of nostalgia and fresh
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The record turnout shows World of Warcraft still has enormous reach when Blizzard gives its community something it really wants.
1:59 PMIGN
World of Warcraft Forever Dungeon Experience Buffed, but There's a Long Way to Go
Summary
Blizzard has increased the experience players earn from dungeons in World of Warcraft Forever after sharply reducing it during the beta. The change helps, but players still view the reward system as too stingy to make dungeons feel worthwhile.
It is a small course correction in a game that has already attracted huge crowds.
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The response shows how quickly a popular MMO's balance decisions can become a community-wide pressure point.
4:36 PMIGN
Skydance Games Confirms Layoffs Following Warner Bros.-Paramount Merger
Summary
Skydance Games has confirmed staff layoffs following last month’s Warner Bros.-Paramount merger. The cuts add a gaming casualty to the wider restructuring around the newly combined company.
Mergers often promise bigger ambitions, but the first visible result is frequently a smaller workforce.
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The merger’s fallout is reaching game studios and the people making the games.
2:35 PMVariety
Skydance Games Layoffs Hit Following Warner Bros. Merger
Summary
Skydance Games has started cutting jobs just weeks after Paramount Games was folded into Warner Bros. Games. The reshuffle brings major studios including Avalanche, NetherRealm, Rocksteady and TT Games under one structure, with layoffs now following the consolidation.
Mergers often promise efficiency, and layoffs are usually the first visible sign of what that
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The cuts show how quickly a blockbuster media merger can reshape the teams making some of gaming's biggest franchises.
6:18 PMIGN
Take-Two 'Enhancing' Technical Defenses and Legal Activities to Combat GTA 6 AI Reverse-Engineering Threat
Summary
Take-Two is preparing stronger technical defenses and legal action against AI-assisted reverse-engineering and decompilation. The effort comes as Rockstar gears up for the highly anticipated launch of GTA 6.
AI tools are making it easier to inspect and rebuild game systems, raising the stakes
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
GTA 6 is becoming a major test of how game companies defend their code from increasingly capable AI tools.
1:15 PMIGN
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Dataminers Uncover Potential Majora's Mask, Master Quest DLC Hints
Summary
Dataminers have found files in Nintendo's Ocarina of Time remake that may point to Master Quest content and possible links to Majora's Mask. Nothing has been confirmed, but the discoveries have Zelda fans speculating about post-launch additions.
Datamined clues are notoriously easy to overread, especially in Nintendo games, where unused ideas can
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
If the hints lead to real DLC, Nintendo could turn a remake into a broader celebration of the N64 era's Zelda games.
4:00 PMPolygon
Mass Effect Legendary Edition Finally Gets Co-op Back on PC
Summary
PC players can now bring co-op back to Mass Effect 3 through a free ME3Tweaks mod released for N7 Day. The unofficial project restores a multiplayer feature that was left out of the Legendary Edition remaster.
It is a fan-made fix for one of the remaster's most obvious omissions. BioWare has
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The mod shows that demand for Mass Effect's co-op never really disappeared, even after the remastered collection left it behind.
Other Developments
A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.
Blaz and the 2Game team are celebrating a major win at the Street Fighter League Americas 2026 Finals, along with the viral set against NoahTheProdigy. They credit Latin America's strength to a deep hunger to compete and a refusal to treat success as guaranteed.
8:42 PMIGN
The Biggoron Sword comes at the end of Ocarina of Time's long trading quest, which begins with a pocket egg. You will need to pass items between several characters and work around a strict time limit before claiming the powerful blade.
4:50 PMPolygon
With game of the year conversations still months away, this roundup checks in on 2026's standout releases so far. The list ranges from the mountain-climbing challenge Cairn to the strategy-heavy Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave.
4:46 PMPolygon
Olivier Richters, the seven-foot actor playing Zangief in the upcoming Street Fighter movie, entered a Street Fighter 6 tournament using the character he portrays. He did not just show up for the bit either, putting together a surprisingly strong performance.
4:41 PMIGN
The Golden Scale lets Link dive deeper underwater, opening up areas and secrets that are otherwise out of reach. This guide explains how to earn it in the Ocarina of Time remake and when the upgrade becomes useful.
4:05 PMPolygon
One of Ocarina of Time's most memorable dungeons contains a subtle nod to a beloved American coming-of-age classic. The reference is tucked into the dungeon's design, giving an already inventive area an extra layer of meaning.
4:05 PMPolygon
Cliff Bleszinski, the creator behind Gears of War and Unreal Tournament, ran into a legal roadblock while trying to reclaim the rights to Jazz Jackrabbit. Epic Games, his former employer, says it owns the character, creating a dispute over one of Bleszinski’s earliest creations.
3:55 PMIGN
Batman fans are bracing for more uncertainty after news involving DC leaders James Gunn and Peter Safran. If the broader DC plans are reset, the future of the next big-screen Batman could change too, leaving game fans wondering how connected projects might be affected.
3:15 PMIGN
Grand Theft Auto VI is nearing release, and investor Paul Meeks thinks Wall Street is lowballing its potential impact on Take-Two Interactive. He sees the game driving enough excitement and sales to support roughly 35% upside for the company's stock.
3:07 PMCNBC
Death's Door is turning five and remains a strong pick for players who miss classic Zelda-style adventures. Its compact world, sharp combat and puzzle-driven exploration have earned it more than 11,000 very positive Steam reviews.
3:00 PMPolygon
Polygon has ranked the mainline Legend of Zelda games from weakest to strongest, including the 2026 Switch 2 remake of Ocarina of Time. The list looks across the series' changing eras, from its early top-down adventures to its open-world reinventions.
2:52 PMPolygon
The Business Scrub password in Ocarina of Time is easy to miss and surprisingly fiddly to use. Track it down, though, and the payoff makes the scavenger hunt worthwhile.
2:33 PMPolygon
Details spotted in the physical edition of Hollow Knight: Silksong hint that more free DLC could be coming. The game may also receive larger expansions described as “giant,” giving fans even more bug-filled adventures to anticipate.
2:20 PMPolygon
The next Warhammer Blood Bowl game has been pushed back to 2027, extending an already lengthy wait. To soften the blow, Blood Bowl 3 players will get a free upgrade along with new teams.
2:00 PMPolygon
A guide maps out every carpenter trapped inside Gerudo Fortress in Ocarina of Time. It also lays out an efficient route, making the rescue mission much less of a maze.
1:45 PMPolygon
The Hookshot is essential for reaching new areas in Ocarina of Time, but it is easy to miss. The guide walks through Dampe’s race and explains how to claim the item without getting stuck in the graveyard maze.
12:57 PMPolygon
Sony is releasing a new midnight black PlayStation Portal model in Japan next month. The curious upgrade is previously unannounced internal storage, which appears to be reserved for features Sony has not revealed yet.
11:23 AMThe Verge8:42 PMIGN
'We Don't Take Anything for Granted' — LATAM Is the Strongest Region in Street Fighter 6, and It’s Because They’re Hungrier Than You
Summary
Blaz and the 2Game team are celebrating a major win at the Street Fighter League Americas 2026 Finals, along with the viral set against NoahTheProdigy. They credit Latin America's strength to a deep hunger to compete and a refusal to treat success as guaranteed.
That mindset is becoming a real competitive edge for the region. The team is not
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
LATAM's fighting-game community is turning its hunger and consistency into championship-level results.
4:50 PMPolygon
How to get the Biggoron Sword in Ocarina of Time
Summary
The Biggoron Sword comes at the end of Ocarina of Time's long trading quest, which begins with a pocket egg. You will need to pass items between several characters and work around a strict time limit before claiming the powerful blade.
It is one of the game's classic side quests: a little obscure, a little frantic,
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
This walkthrough turns one of Ocarina of Time's most rewarding quests into a manageable checklist.
4:46 PMPolygon
The Best New Video Games of 2026 (So Far)
Summary
With game of the year conversations still months away, this roundup checks in on 2026's standout releases so far. The list ranges from the mountain-climbing challenge Cairn to the strategy-heavy Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave.
The year's early lineup is already giving players plenty to talk about, instead of making
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
It offers an early shortlist of the 2026 games most worth playing before awards season arrives.
4:41 PMIGN
Zangief Actor Olivier Richters Competed in a Street Fighter 6 Tournament Using Zangief, and He's Actually Pretty Good
Summary
Olivier Richters, the seven-foot actor playing Zangief in the upcoming Street Fighter movie, entered a Street Fighter 6 tournament using the character he portrays. He did not just show up for the bit either, putting together a surprisingly strong performance.
The casting choice suddenly feels a little more convincing. Richters may be built like Zangief,
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The movie’s Zangief has both the look and at least some of the game skills to back it up.
4:05 PMPolygon
How to get the Golden Scale in Zelda Ocarina of Time
Summary
The Golden Scale lets Link dive deeper underwater, opening up areas and secrets that are otherwise out of reach. This guide explains how to earn it in the Ocarina of Time remake and when the upgrade becomes useful.
It is a small item with a big impact on exploration, especially if you are
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The guide points players to a key upgrade that unlocks deeper dives and more of the game world.
4:05 PMPolygon
Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s Coolest Dungeon Hides a Secret Tribute to a Beloved Classic
Summary
One of Ocarina of Time's most memorable dungeons contains a subtle nod to a beloved American coming-of-age classic. The reference is tucked into the dungeon's design, giving an already inventive area an extra layer of meaning.
Nintendo has always enjoyed hiding literary and cultural details in plain sight, and this tribute
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The hidden reference shows how much thought went into Ocarina of Time's world-building, even in its strangest locations.
3:55 PMIGN
Epic Games Claims Ownership Over Jazz Jackrabbit in Fortnite Legal Tussle With Gears of War Creator
Summary
Cliff Bleszinski, the creator behind Gears of War and Unreal Tournament, ran into a legal roadblock while trying to reclaim the rights to Jazz Jackrabbit. Epic Games, his former employer, says it owns the character, creating a dispute over one of Bleszinski’s earliest creations.
It is a familiar entertainment industry problem: the person who made the character may not
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The fight shows how dormant game characters can become major assets long after their original releases.
3:15 PMIGN
Batman Video Game Fans Are Feeling the Pain Too After Today's James Gunn News
Summary
Batman fans are bracing for more uncertainty after news involving DC leaders James Gunn and Peter Safran. If the broader DC plans are reset, the future of the next big-screen Batman could change too, leaving game fans wondering how connected projects might be affected.
Batman already has a complicated history of starts, stops, and reboots across entertainment. Another shake-up
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Changes at the top of DC could ripple into Batman projects far beyond the movies.
3:07 PMCNBC
The wait is almost over for this blockbuster video game. I see 35% upside in the stock
Summary
Grand Theft Auto VI is nearing release, and investor Paul Meeks thinks Wall Street is lowballing its potential impact on Take-Two Interactive. He sees the game driving enough excitement and sales to support roughly 35% upside for the company's stock.
GTA launches are more like entertainment events than ordinary game releases, so investors are betting
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
GTA VI could become a major catalyst for Take-Two, turning one game release into a broader test of the publisher's valuation.
3:00 PMPolygon
Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s Best Replacement Has 11,000+ ‘Very Positive’ Reviews on Steam
Summary
Death's Door is turning five and remains a strong pick for players who miss classic Zelda-style adventures. Its compact world, sharp combat and puzzle-driven exploration have earned it more than 11,000 very positive Steam reviews.
It is not a direct replacement for Ocarina of Time, but it captures the same
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Death's Door's staying power shows there is still a big audience for focused, Zelda-like adventure games outside Nintendo's own ecosystem.
2:52 PMPolygon
Every Legend of Zelda Game, Ranked
Summary
Polygon has ranked the mainline Legend of Zelda games from weakest to strongest, including the 2026 Switch 2 remake of Ocarina of Time. The list looks across the series' changing eras, from its early top-down adventures to its open-world reinventions.
Ranking Zelda is practically an invitation to argue, especially when a new remake joins a
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The ranking offers a quick tour of Zelda's evolution and a useful snapshot of which games still define the franchise.
2:33 PMPolygon
What is the Business Scrub password in Zelda Ocarina of Time?
Summary
The Business Scrub password in Ocarina of Time is easy to miss and surprisingly fiddly to use. Track it down, though, and the payoff makes the scavenger hunt worthwhile.
It is one of those classic Zelda secrets that feels deliberately underexplained. A little guidance
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The right password unlocks a useful reward hiding behind one of the game’s trickier secrets.
2:20 PMPolygon
Even More Free DLC for Hollow Knight: Silksong Might Be on the Way
Summary
Details spotted in the physical edition of Hollow Knight: Silksong hint that more free DLC could be coming. The game may also receive larger expansions described as “giant,” giving fans even more bug-filled adventures to anticipate.
Silksong already arrived with plenty to explore, so additional free content would be a welcome
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The physical release may have quietly teased a much bigger post-launch future for Silksong.
2:00 PMPolygon
Warhammer’s Brutal Fantasy Football Game Just Suffered Another Setback
Summary
The next Warhammer Blood Bowl game has been pushed back to 2027, extending an already lengthy wait. To soften the blow, Blood Bowl 3 players will get a free upgrade along with new teams.
Another delay is rough news for fans, but the free upgrade gives the current game
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Players will be waiting longer, but existing Blood Bowl 3 owners are getting meaningful compensation.
1:45 PMPolygon
All carpenter locations in Gerudo Fortress in Zelda Ocarina of Time
Summary
A guide maps out every carpenter trapped inside Gerudo Fortress in Ocarina of Time. It also lays out an efficient route, making the rescue mission much less of a maze.
Gerudo Fortress can turn into a frustrating loop of locked doors, guards, and missed rooms.
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Knowing where to go makes one of Ocarina of Time’s more confusing rescue quests quick and manageable.
12:57 PMPolygon
How to get the Hookshot in Ocarina of Time
Summary
The Hookshot is essential for reaching new areas in Ocarina of Time, but it is easy to miss. The guide walks through Dampe’s race and explains how to claim the item without getting stuck in the graveyard maze.
It is one of those classic Zelda moments where the solution is simple once you
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Getting the Hookshot opens up a major chunk of Ocarina of Time’s exploration and progression.
11:23 AMThe Verge
Sony’s new PlayStation Portal handheld includes ‘additional’ internal storage
Summary
Sony is releasing a new midnight black PlayStation Portal model in Japan next month. The curious upgrade is previously unannounced internal storage, which appears to be reserved for features Sony has not revealed yet.
The Portal currently relies heavily on remote play and streaming, so adding storage suggests Sony
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The extra storage could signal that the Portal is about to become more than a streaming screen.
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