ROCKSTAR RESPONDS TO GTA 6 PRICE & MORE

On Friday, May 1st, 2026, Jake Baldino discussed the week's video game news, starting with Grand Theft Auto 6. Take-Two Interactive's CEO, Strauss Zelnik, commented on the game's price, stating it would be "reasonable." GameSpot reported Zelnik's philosophy that consumers pay for value, and the company's job is to charge "way, way less" than the value delivered, ensuring the price feels fair. While some games are pushing towards an $80 price point, Zelnik's comments suggest GTA 6 won't be $100, likely remaining in the $60-$70 range. He also acknowledged the daunting challenge of measuring success for "the most spectacular piece of entertainment on Earth in history" but expects the financial upside to take care of itself. A major marketing push for GTA 6 is expected to begin soon, aligning with a potential fall release, despite some lingering confusion about an old May 26th, 2026, release date that went viral again. Next, the PlayStation 5's DRM practices caused a stir. Initial reports suggested a mandatory 30-day online check-in for digital games, which would revoke ownership if the console wasn't connected. This sparked alarm among players concerned with digital game preservation and ownership. Sony and PlayStation eventually clarified that a one-time online check is required after purchase to confirm the game's license, with no further check-ins needed. This situation highlighted the ongoing conversation about digital game ownership and consumer advocacy, demonstrating how gamers can effectively rally against perceived anti-consumer practices. Baldino then provided a preview of 007 First Light, a game he played for three hours at a preview event. He emphasized that he wasn't paid or given a free trip to cover it. Despite initial reservations from trailers, he was genuinely surprised and enjoyed the game. He described it as "Hitman Light" with simple social stealth, crowded areas, and choices in approach, but also featuring great stealth and combat sections reminiscent of Uncharted 3, Watch Dogs, and Batman Arkham. Gadget use, environmental interactions, and cinematic set pieces that capture the essence of James Bond were highlighted. The hand-to-hand combat and third-person shooting were also praised for their depth and fun, especially on higher difficulties. Concerns remain about technical performance on consoles and whether the game can maintain its quality and pacing throughout its full runtime and deliver a compelling story. The game is set to release at the end of May. The unfortunate news of studio Spiders closing was also shared. Baldino expressed sadness, noting that Spiders, a French studio known for games like Mars Warlogs, Bound by Flame, The Technomancer, Greedfall, and Steel Rising, epitomized the "Eurojank" concept. While their games were never perfect and lacked a "smash hit," Baldino appreciated their unique contributions and will miss their presence in the industry. A surprise update on the Steam Controller was provided. Reviews are now available, and the controller is set to release next week, May 4th, retailing for $100. This marks a new Valve hardware rollout, with rumors of a "Valve game console" potentially coming soon, suggesting more hardware in the pipeline. Finally, a quick rundown of other news, videos, and releases: - A new trailer for Star Wars Galactic Racer revealed an October 6th release date. - Subnautica 2 is getting an early access release in mid-May, with a new cinematic trailer. - A new gameplay clip for Exodus, a spiritual successor to Mass Effect, was shown, with the game expected next year. - Blood of Dawn Walker received a new gameplay deep dive, showcasing mechanical and combat improvements for the vampire RPG from ex-Witcher 3 developers. - New game releases include Aelion, a narrative-focused game, and the Diablo IV DLC, Lord of Hatred, which is generally well-received for its story. - Invincible Versus, a fighting game based on the comic/TV show, also launched this week and looks promising. - Soros, a PS5 exclusive from Housemarque (creators of Returnal), was reviewed by Baldino, who loved it for its addictive gameplay, despite being different from Returnal and less challenging, though it offers difficulty options. Ending on entertainment news, a teaser trailer for Zack Snyder's Resident Evil movie was released. Described as a survival horror story focusing on an ordinary man surviving Raccoon City, it features Snyder's signature imagery, practical filmmaking, and cool creatures. While it will include Easter eggs, it's positioned as a separate side story. Baldino, a fan of Snyder's previous work, expressed a wait-and-see attitude.