Guide: 15 Best Sidequests In Switch Games

Optional escapades.

If you’ve played a handful of video games, chances are you’ve lost yourself in the side content more often than the main game.

Sidequests are a procrastinator’s dream. Don’t want to finish the main story? Worried about missing some fantastic rewards or lore dumps? Well, thank goodness there are tons of people across the world that need help rescuing their pets, doing their shopping, or trying to tell their neighbour that they’re in love with them.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Dress to Impress Codes (January 2025)

If you’re looking for DTI codes, IGN’s got you covered! In this article, you’ll find a list of all the active and working Dress to Impress codes in January 2025 that you can redeem for free rewards and bonuses in DTI, including outfits and accessories like hats, bags, and jewelry.

Active Dress to Impress Codes (January 2025)

Here are all the active Dress to Impress codes in January 2025 and the free rewards you get for redeeming them:

  • LNY2025 – Cheongsam Dress and Tang Suit (NEW!)
  • YEAROFTHESNAKE – Snake jewelry (NEW!)
  • HAPPYNEWYEAR – Hanfu (NEW!)
  • 1CON1CF4TMA – Sweater dress
  • B3APL4YS_D0L1E – Doll accessory
  • MEGANPLAYSBOOTS – Boots
  • CH00P1E_1S_B4CK: Streetwear outfit set
  • S3M_0W3N_Y4Y: Axe
  • UMOYAE: Blue dress
  • KREEK: Bear hat
  • FASHION: Black and white dress
  • LANA: White shorts, shirt, and legwarmers
  • LANABOW: White bow
  • BELALASLAY: Black jacket with pink halter top
  • LANATUTU: White dress
  • IBELLASLAY: Red, green, and blonde hairstyle
  • M3RM4ID: Orange mermaid set
  • TEKKYOOZ: White handbag
  • M0T0PRINCESSWAV: Gold crown
  • LABOOTS: Black boots
  • ITSJUSTNICHOLAS: Black jacket
  • ASHLEYBUNNI: Bunny slippers
  • LEAHASHE: Sweatshirt and sweatpants
  • KITTYUUHH: Black cat
  • C4LLMEHH4LEY: Puffy dress and bear headband
  • SUBM15CY: Necklace and eyelashes
  • D1ORST4R: Bag and bow

All Expired Dress to Impress Codes

Below, you’ll find a list of expired DTI codes that no longer work and can no longer be redeemed as of January 2025:

  • NY2025
  • WINTERUPDATE (Was only redeemable between 8 AM – 11 AM PT on Saturday, 14 December!)
  • 4BILLION
  • CHOOPIE10K
  • THEGAMES
  • EYELASHES
  • REWARD4CLASS1C

How to Redeem Dress to Impress Codes

Follow the steps below to redeem Dress to Impress codes and claim free rewards in DTI:

  1. Open the Dress to Impress Roblox Experience.
  2. Click on the handbag icon on the left-hand side to open the DTI Codes menu.
  3. Enter your code in the “Type here…” field.
  4. Check for any spelling mistakes or errors.
  5. Click the checkmark icon to redeem the code.

Why Isn’t My Dress to Impress Code Working?

If the code you’re trying to redeem in DTI isn’t working, it’s likely because of one of two reasons:

  • The Dress to Impress code is expired
  • There’s a spelling mistake in the code

When inputting a DTI code in Roblox, make sure it’s spelled correctly (for example, a capital I isn’t a lowercase l, 0 and not O, and vice versa) and that there are no spaces before or after the code. We’d recommend copying and pasting codes straight from our article to ensure they’re correct as we’ve tested and verified that the codes on this page are working ourselves.

If your DTI code still isn’t working after checking for typos, it’s more than likely expired and can no longer be redeemed in Dress to Impress.

How to Get More DTI Codes

To get more Dress to Impress codes, the best way is to join the official DTI Discord server. While we check for new codes daily, the quickest way to know about new Dress to Impress codes is to follow the Roblox experience’s official Discord server where updates are posted in real time.

You can also check the Dress to Impress X account and the official DTI Roblox Group page.

Are There Any Upcoming DTI Codes?

Currently, we don’t know of any upcoming DTI codes now that the Winter Update is here. We’ll update this once any information on new codes is shared.

What is Dress to Impress in Roblox?

Dress to Impress is a popular dress-up Roblox Experience available on PC, console, and iOS and Android mobile devices. In it, you put on your best outfit to complete a specific theme and walk the runway in a bid to earn votes from other players and become a top model. As you gain votes, you gain ranks and can access more clothing and accessories, so make sure you’re truly dressed to impress!

Meg Koepp is a Guides Editor on the IGN Guides team, with a focus on trends. When she’s not working, you can find her playing an RPG or making miniatures.

Stardew Valley Creator Doesn’t Want To ‘Close The Book’ On Its Development

“Maybe even 50 years from now, I might add something”.

Stardew Valley is perhaps one of the best-supported indie games of all-time with Eric ‘ConcernedApe’ Barone now working on the title for over 12 years. While there have been questions raised about the farming and lifestyle sim’s future now that the creator’s attention has (mostly) shifted to his new project, what is the actual plan?

Speaking to NPR, Barone mentioned how he doesn’t want to “definitively say that the book is ever closed” on Stardew because he might one day “have a desire to come back and maybe add a thing or two”:

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (25th January)

Swing, king.

This week might not have brought us the Switch 2 bonanza that dominated the last, but there was still plenty to talk about in the world of Nintendo.

We got a teeny, tiny development update from the Silksong team (turns out, the game is still real) and chatted all things space with Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector developer Jump Over The Age. We also wrapped up the Switch 2 aftershocks with reactions to the new Donkey Kong design and various companies’ expected launch windows, and got all excited about next week’s Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket updates.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Xbox Is “Really Looking Forward” To Supporting Switch 2

Phil Spencer: “We love the work that we do with Nintendo”.

Since Nintendo’s Switch 2 announcement last week, multiple companies have revealed they’ll be backing this next-generation hybrid system. Now, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has officially confirmed Xbox’s support.

Speaking on the Gamertag Radio podcast this week, Spencer mentioned how Microsoft was “really looking forward” to supporting Nintendo with Xbox’s software library. This continues Xbox’s mission to bring “more” of the tech giant’s games to “more platforms”:

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Save 40% Off Arzopa USB Portable Monitors (Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck Compatible)

Arzopa is offering an excellent deal on this Arzopa 15″ 1080p USB Type-C portable monitor. It’s normally listed at $109.99, but you can get it on Amazon for $64.99 shipped after a $20 clippable coupon. Alternatively, you can get it at Arzopa for $63.99 shipped after you apply $5 coupon code “AZP5263“. That’s a great price compared to other 15” USB Type-C monitors on Amazon. This is a great portable display for your Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or Asus ROG Ally.

Arzopa S1 15″ 1080p USB-C Portable Monitor for $63.99

The Arzopa S1 is a 15″ 1080p monitor with both USB Type-C and mini HDMI ports to connect to a laptop, tablet, or gaming handhelf. It can work as a standalone or secondary display. If your device is equipped with a USB Type-C output with Power Delivery, then a single cable can be used for both video and power. Otherwise, you’ll need two cables: a mini HDMI or USB Type-C cable for video and a second USB Type-C cable to a wall charger for power. USB Type-C cables are provided, however you’ll have to supply your own HDMI cable and wall charger.

The monitor is designed to be portable. It weighs only 1.3 pounds and measures 0.3″ thin. It sports a sturdy frame and includes a smart cover that doubles as a stand. The 15″ display features a 1080p resolution with 60Hz refresh rate, an IPS panel with great viewing angles, and an anti-glare matte surface. It even has built in speakers. This is an excellent way to boost your productivity by adding on a secondary display with minimal hassle and at an affordable price.

Compatible with Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck

This monitor works quite well paired with a gaming handheld like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck. You will have to use the two-cable setup (one USB cable to the handheld, one USB cable to a wall charger) for this to work properly. The S1’s 1080p 60Hz panel is a great matchup particularly for the Nintendo Switch, since the Switch only supports up to 720p @ 60Hz anyway. The Steam Deck or ROG Ally can support higher resolutions and refresh rates, but at that point you’re really taxing your system, and 1080p/60Hz is an ideal balance between visual fidelity and playability. At 1080p, a 15″ display already boasts a very high 140ppi pixel density.

Upgrade to the Arzopa Z1FC 16″ 144Hz Monitor for $102

The higher end Arzopa Z1FC is also on sale. Amazon has it for $116.99, however Arzopa has it for $101.99 after you apply promo code “AZP5263“. The Z1FC’s upgrades include a larger display (16.1″ vs 15.6”), a higher refresh rate (144Hz vs 60Hz), and better color reproduction (100% sRGB color gamut). The larger display and better color reproduction makes it a nice upgrade for Switch and Steam Deck. However, this monitor is better for gaming laptops and more powerful gaming handheld PCs like the ROG Ally X or the Legion Go, which have the horsepower to take advantage of the 144Hz refresh rate. I’ve owned and used this monitor for the past few years and recommend it.

If you’re looking for other USB monitor options, here are our top picks for the best portable monitors of 2025. For other gaming peripherals, check out the best Nintendo Switch deals and best Steam Deck deals.

Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn’t hunting for deals for other people at work, he’s hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

Attack on Titan Revolution Update 3 Takes Aim at Bug and Balance Fixes

Attack on Titan Revolution is back with Update 3, giving Roblox players an army of quality-of-life changes, balance tweaks, and bug fixes to enjoy.

The team behind the 3.0 update provided patch notes detailing a laundry list of adjustments to its break-neck action experience. This includes the new Winter Tokens event, more auras for the Armored Titan raid, and the addition of Roblox chat in the central 2D lobby. Long story short, there’s not really one major change aimed to blow you away, but there are enough smaller changes that should help things feel smoother and look better overall.

Some bug fixes, for example, tackle strange titan behavior, including enemies T-posing after they strike a building and titans not attacking players who stand directly beneath them. There are also a few skill bug fixes that affect the Charge and Founder’s Will skills. Additionally, players will find Thunderspear tweaks galore as the team looks to refine the new tool’s effectiveness.

Attack on Titan Revolution Update 3 takes aim at a sea of issues that have plagued the anime-inspired Roblox experience for months, but it’s relatively light on new content additions. While there will be more future updates to keep players entertained, this foundational patch arrives only a few weeks after the content-heavy 2.5 update. The patch included an Armored Titan Raid as well as a new weapon that should be familiar to fans of the Attack on Titan anime: Thunderspears.

For those of you looking to get the most out of this Roblox action project, you can see our full list of all active codes here. You can also see the full patch notes from the new update below.

Attack on Titan Revolution Update 3 Patch Notes

2x Winter Tokens Event

QoL:

  • Roblox chat is now visible in the town central 2D lobby
  • Added impact frames and SFX to Skill “Founder’s Vengeance”
  • Added 2 new auras to the “Armored Titan” raid (“Abyssion” – Epic / “Digital Fracture” – Legendary)
  • New refill icon
  • Changed some of the streaming properties on workspace which should be more performant on lower end devices
  • Changed map lighting from “Future” > “ShadowMap” which should be more performant on lower end devices
  • Disabled the “Gameplay Paused” notification
  • Can now sell “Armored Titan Raid” cosmetic drops for gems (Marleyan Patch, Young Reiner’s Attire)
  • Fixed grammar of the streak message

Revamped cutscene handler

  • Should generally be fixed and all starting cutscenes are synced
  • Cutscenes are always skipped if you load them AFTER another player has already loaded them
  • Skip button

Thunderspear Questline Framework Changes:

  • Fixed boxes not being removed from your player after shifting/ejecting
  • Fixed supply objective continuously happening after you have already finished it
  • Retrieving a box only gives +1 of the quest to you instead of everyone in the mission with you
  • Boxes in the supply mission now spawn in random positions
  • Questline no longer starts in missions if you are not prestige 1+
  • Fixed cart not appearing on the convoy horse for the outskirts spears quest

Balances:

  • Buffed boss titan damage in raids by 5.0% per difficulty
  • Modifier “Oddball” now increases objective damage
  • Titan variation ‘Duckers’ can now only spawn in Hard+ difficulty
  • Titan variation ‘Ragers’ can now only spawn in Severe+ difficulty
  • Titan variation ‘Leaders’ can now only spawn in Aberrant difficulty
  • Reduced item “Emperor’s Key” cost from 3,499 Gems > 2,999 Gems
  • Increased “Battlepass XP” Gain on mission completion

Missions:

  • Increased base chance of receiving a perk on titan kill in each difficulty (now affected by luck multiplier too)
  • Changed all perk rarity chances in each difficulty
  • Changed difficulty drop chances (scrolls / serum)
  • Revamped formula that applies luck multiplier (uses cumulative frequency)
  • Adjusted objective mission end rewards (luck multiplier is increased by 1.2x for gaining perks in these missions too)

Raids:

  • Changed item chances in each difficulty
  • Fixed item “Armored Serum” bypassing the maximum cap of allowed serums
  • Revamped formula that applies luck multiplier (uses cumulative frequency)

Thunder spears:

  • Increased M1 falloff damage
  • Nerfed detonation range by 5.0%
  • Nerfed self damage explosion radius range
  • Nerfed refill count by 1 in missions and 3 in raids

Buffed family “Reiss”:

  • Skill “Command” is now affected by memory “Tactician” and perk “Font of Inspiration”

Buffed family “Fritz”:

  • Skill “Founder’s Will” duration increased (10s > 20s – in shifter form, 15s > 20s)
  • Skill “Founder’s Will” is now affected by memory “Tactician”
  • Skill “Founder’s Will” now buffs the following stats too (Skill Cooldown Reduction, Injury Chance Reduction, Shifter M1 Speed, Swing Duration, Blast Radius)
  • Skill “Founder’s Will” cooldown increased (45s > 90s)
  • Skill “Founder’s Vengeance” now gives +1 Extra Shift and Max ODM/TS Resources
  • Skill “Founder’s Vengeance” now gives 13s of I-Frames after the revive animation
  • Reverted memory “Furyforge” nerf (0.3% > 0.4% DMG for every 1.0% of health lost)
  • Buffed Perk “Maximum Firepower” (All TS Stats increase by 5.0% > 7.5%)
  • Changed Perk “Everlasting Flame” (No longer increases stat “Swing Duration” for weapon “Blades”, only affects stat “Blast Radius” for weapon “Spears”)
  • Added Perk “Explosive Fortune” (Conservation Chance increases by 10.0% > 15.0%, 5.0% > 7.5% chance to regain 1 Spear per kill)

Armored Titan Shifter (VEVO):

  • Courage: Shield gain is now removed when expiry is reached instead of losing shield overtime
  • Charge: Deals tick damage similar to roar
  • Earth Breaker: Cooldown (40 -> 35), Damage Base (30.5% > 100.0%), Damage Growth (5.5% > 10.0%)
  • Heavy Attack: Proper AoE
  • Passive: Reworked similar to boxing mastery but scales with your Damage Reduction
  • Phase Shift: Can now be turned off and on when re-using the skill, Cooldown (99 -> 25)
  • Titan Toss: Miss Cooldown (6.5 -> 4), Stage 2 Cooldown (2 -> 1)

Bug Fixes:

  • Fixed titans sometimes breaking and just T-Posing when hitting a building
  • Fixed shifting damage not properly converting when you have spears equipped
  • Fixed thunder spears getting stuck on invisible hitboxes
  • Fixed thunder spears not killing a titan if you end up dying from it
  • Fixed thunder spears sometimes not hitting colossal titans
  • Fixed being able to complete achievements “Warbringer” / “Supremacy” with other modifiers than the mentioned ones
  • Dying to your own thunder spear whilst grabbed will now make the titan let go of you
  • Fixed skill “Founder’s Will” breaking your hooks/gas if a player uses it before you properly load in
  • Fixed perk “Flame Rhapsody” not properly applying the maximum crit chance
  • Fixed chest/reward screen not being interactable after shifting/ejecting(?)
  • Fixed Female Titan’s roar effect being visible 24/7 when shifting/ejecting on the Guard mission
  • Fixed being able to fling Escort mission objective by standing in front of the horse(s)
  • Fixed blades/spears buttons not appearing properly in equipment screen on mobile devices
  • Fixed titans not attacking you if you’re stood directly under them
  • Fixed hook assist sometimes breaking and not letting you attach to objects anymore(?)
  • Fixed being able to double boost on mobile whilst refilling
  • Fixed shifter skills not hitting titan napes properly
  • Fixed getting flung when picking up a titan(?)
  • Fixed follow rewards sometimes breaking UI
  • Fixed gems not properly stacking with memory “Gem Fiend” and family “Fritz”
  • Fixed getting stuck in the air after using thunder spear cutscene skills / skill “Chaos”
  • Fixed visual representation of perk “Black Flash” from raid chests displaying as the aura cosmetic
  • Fixed not being able to use thunder spear skills if you fire a spear just before a cutscene starts
  • Fixed more hit inconsistencies with ODM/Shifter M1s depending on your hit speed
  • Fixed skill “Charge” flinging the “Armored Titan” raid boss(?)
  • Fixed skill “Charge” getting stuck on random objects(?)
  • Fixed not being able to kill ice burst titans with the skill “Toss”
  • Fixed some clothing that collides with avatars
  • Fixed perk “Peerless Commander”
  • Fixed being able to lose your streak if you had the warning on your screen, shifted and then disconnected/left the game afterwards

Armored Raid Revamp:

Boss punches/skills can now deal damage to objectives

Phase 1:

  • Defend 1 (Hard) / 2 (Severe) / 3 (Aberrant) boats over a period of time so they can successfully escape
  • Raid automatically fails if 1 (Hard) / 2 (Severe/Aberrant) boats end up dying before they reach the finish line
  • Armored Titan boss has “Armor” which can be penetrated during this phase in order to deal real damage to him before Phase 2 starts
  • “Armor” has 20.0% base DMG RESISTANCE which goes up to 50.0% depending on how little armor is left
  • Soft cap which prevents the “Armored Titan” from going below 75.0% HEALTH during this phase

Phase 2:

  • “Armored Titan” enters the shift state, which gives him increased speed, increased damage and any remaining shield is lost
  • Any damage dealt to the shield from Phase 1 converts into a higher damage multiplier for the “Armored Titan” in Phase 2, at a ratio of +1.0% damage per 2.0% shield gone
  • Defeat him whilst fighting against waves of titans

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP.

Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Metaball New Year Update Adds Story Mode, Ranked Play, New Maps and More

Metaball New Year Update Adds Story Mode, Ranked Play, New Maps and More

Summary

Hello, Xbox gamers! Get ready to tear up the court in the most intense hoverboard basketball experience out there. Metaball is free to download and play, and we’re starting the year off right with a huge update that will take the game to new heights – from competitive Ranked matches to a challenging Story Mode, there’s something for everyone. Let’s dive into some of the highlights of this action-packed update, live today!

Master Your Skills with the Enhanced Academy

Whether you’re new to Metaball or a seasoned pro, the Metaball Academy has been redesigned to help you up your game. Introducing an improved lesson system now with step-by-step tutorials aimed at making players better. Perfect advanced dribbling techniques, perfect your aim, and perfect the swing mechanics only found in Metaball. With guided training paths, the Academy will have you dominating the court in no time.

Dominate the Court in Story Mode

Metaball players can now experience a challenging Story Mode, ideal for solo players. Become the rising star eager to prove one’s skills in the hoverboard basketball scene; go against rival teams, complete special missions, and conquer every challenge. The Story Mode is your chance to show you’re the best in town while enjoying a deeper connection to the world of Metaball.

Rise Through the Ranks in Ranked Mode

Competitive players, rejoice! Ranked Mode brings in a ladder system that will let you rank through divisions, gain seasonal rewards, and access to a special shop, and show your skills to the world. This Ranked Mode is nothing like casual mode; it requires careful strategy and precise timing. To prepare for it:

 – Warm Up in Casual Matches: Use Quick Match games to fine-tune your techniques and adapt to different playstyles.

 – Study the Maps: Utilize all new courts, including new 1v1 and 2v2 arenas to strategize and plan out your moves.

 – Use the Academy Training: Perfect deep mechanics in the Academy to give yourself a really high level of skill and a competitive edge.

Put it all together in Ranked Mode – the ultimate test!

Exciting New Maps

Get ready for the most intense competition on the stunning courts in our New Year Update, from high stakes 1v1 battles to strategic 2v2 showdowns. These arenas offer fresh and dynamic gameplay on each and every map.

Unlock Exclusive Rewards with the New Metapass

The new season’s pass is here, and with it, a whole slew of exclusive items and cosmetics to make your Metaball experience even better. From sick hoverboards to legendary outfits, the Metapass has got something for every kind of player. Complete challenges to level up, and show off your rewards on the court. The grind has never felt this good!

Don’t Miss Out on a Free Limited-Time Legendary Outfit

Show off your style with our free limited-time Legendary Outfit! Collect exclusive parts through daily missions from January 24th, 2025 – February 28, 2025. Whether you’re in Ranked Mode or Quick matches, show off in this very special reward before it’s gone forever.

Join the Action Today

Download Metaball for free from the Microsoft Store and get started. Whether you’re gunning for glory in Ranked Mode, diving deep into Story Mode, or just showing off your style, there’s never been a better time to play.

Follow Metaball on X, YouTube, TikTok and Discord for the latest news, updates, and community events. Catch you on the court!

Metaball

Bucketplay Inc.


301

Metaball is a free-to-play, crossplay-enabled multiplayer sports game with fast-paced action.

Play as a Rider, aiming for fame and wealth by winning Metaball League games with your teammates.

Hop on your hoverboard, use the chain to swing the ball, and perform various moves—dunk, shoot, block, and steal. Boost your speed and perform double or triple jumps using nitro.

Customize your playstyle with Perk Points in different Perk Trees for an edge in matches.

Compete in 2v2 and 3v3 Quick and Ranked Matches, or practice your skills in Academy, Champion Road, Free Play, and Custom Match modes.

Earn MVP points after each match to unlock rewards, level up your Metapass, and collect your favorite items!

The post Metaball New Year Update Adds Story Mode, Ranked Play, New Maps and More appeared first on Xbox Wire.

GTA 6 at $100 Would Be ‘A Bridge Too Far’ — Even for Grand Theft Auto

A few years ago, most big AAA games cost $60. Then came the price hikes, with game after game launching at $70. Now this week, we’re hearing increasing discussion of 2025’s most anticipated game, Grand Theft Auto 6, potentially costing not $70, not $80, or even $90…but $100.

Could it really?

The suggestion of a $100 GTA 6 technically comes from Epyllion CEO and analyst Matthew Ball in a lengthy presentation on the state of gaming in 2025 published last week. Near the end of the presentation, Ball says that “some gamemakers hope GTA 6 will be priced at $80 to $100, breaking the $70 barrier and helping $50 titles to move up to $60, $60 to do $70, $70 to $80 etc.”

“Packaged game prices have never been lower in real terms than they are today — even though budgets are at all-time highs and player growth is stalled,” Ball writes. “GTA 6 could re-establish packed video game prices after decades of deflation despite rampant cost growth.”

Ball’s report doesn’t make the direct claim that GTA 6 will cost $100, only that some game makers are hoping it will cost somewhere around that much. However, the mere suggestion sparked significant discussion on social media as to whether or not it was possible or advisable for GTA 6 to cost that much, and whether doing so would really help the industry…or GTA for that matter. So I reached out to some other analysts for their takes on the notion. And they had…thoughts.

Could GTA 6 Actually Cost $100?

Sure, it could, says Mat Piscatella, analyst at Circana. Anything’s possible, especially for a game as anticipated as GTA 6. But is it a likely, or reasonable outcome? “Probably not.”

“There’s just no need,” he wrote in a post on Bluesky. “You want to make the funnel as wide as possible, while also optimizing launch $. You don’t do this [by] making the base price of a game so high that the funnel narrows. It just makes no sense. At all.”

Joost van Dreunen, NYU Stern professor and author of the SuperJoost newsletter, agreed that a price increase would be a “mistake” for Take-Two and Rockstar, noting that it was unlikely to deviate from what made GTA 5 work out so well for them:

“Their success with GTA 5 came partly from their pricing strategy — launching at a standard price point late in the console cycle, then selling another copy to those same players when they upgraded to new consoles,” he said. “They’ll likely stick to this proven approach, though they’ll definitely offer premium editions with extras at higher price points.”

I spoke to five different analysts, all of whom largely agreed that GTA 6 wasn’t going to be priced higher than the usual $70…for the base game, at least. Because both Piscatella and MIDiA’s Rhys Elliott pointed out a critical loophole here: Publishers already are charging $100 for games.

“Most huge AAA games already charge $100 (sometimes more) in the first 3-7 days before launch, but they call it ‘early access’ and slap ‘collector’s edition’ in the name,” he said. “Publishers have hijacked collector’s editions as a way to charge more for ‘early access’ – AKA delayed access for those consumers unwilling to pay the markup.”

Elliott named a number of publishers using this strategy already, such as WB Games (Hogwarts Legacy), Xbox (Starfield), EA (EA Sports FC 25), and Ubisoft (Star Wars: Outlaws).

But he added that the idea of charging $100 for the “base game” without these extra perks would be “a bridge too far,” even in the case of GTA.

They’d find success either way.

“They’d find success either way,” he said. “GTA 6 is going to be a cultural phenomenon and could bear a $100 price point, but player backlash would be significant, and that would be a short-term gain at a long-term cost. Maximizing day-one premium revenues and giving mass consumers sticker shock is not the play here, especially in today’s economy. And while many gamers will play through GTA 6’s single-player, online is where the engagement – and recurring revenue spend – happens. It’s where the real revenue comes in. Rockstar would not want to limit its total addressable market there.

“One of the major challenges for GTA 6 is convincing players to jump ship from GTA 5’s online component, so creating a needlessly higher switching cost would not be wise here.”

How much for GTA Online?

Elliott brings up a critical point here: GTA 5 was a massively successful game, but the thing that really gave it staying power to sell five million copies a quarter for a decade was its online multiplayer playground, GTA Online. Which begs the question: even if GTA 6 is priced at $70, what will its version of GTA Online cost? Will Rockstar and Take-Two really keep it available at no additional cost, as before?

James McWhirter, senior games analyst at Omdia, thinks so.

“GTA Online was key to GTA 5’s ongoing success, driving premium sales and subscription service licensing; a precedent Take-Two is unlikely to disrupt with GTA 6’s launch,” he said. “Alternative pricing schemes will likely emerge only after establishing a strong player base for the next-gen GTA Online, which will anchor long-term engagement. The real challenge lies in managing continuity between two live-service GTA Online games. Depending on how Take-Two handles this transition, alternative business models could emerge sooner or later.”

Elliott largely agrees that the same model as before is most likely, pointing out that both GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 didn’t see the launch of their online modes until shortly after the release of the main game. But he also sees the potential for other possibilities:

“While I think we will see something similar for GTA 6 and its online component, I can also see a world where Rockstar launches them completely separately,” he said. “If they did this, they would probably add some online perks into the ‘single-player version’ to nudge players to play online, too. Another possibility is having the core story play out in GTA 6, then adding subsequent story content into the online mode – best of both worlds, perhaps.

“As for subscriptions, Rockstar will likely continue what it set out with GTA+, perhaps adding a battle pass to complement as well.”

Five Million a Quarter

I’ve covered Take-Two’s earnings calls for several years running now, and inevitably every single quarter in my memory, they’ve managed to sell five million more copies of GTA 5 while making piles of money off GTA Online as well despite the game being over a decade old now. It’s difficult to imagine any other game ever matching or exceeding that level of success.

But if any game can, it’s GTA 6, seemingly without the need to upset its players by hiking up base game prices. Assuming GTA 6’s launch cost and plan are roughly the same as GTA 5’s, van Dreunen concluded his response to me with a prediction. It’s one he’s made before back in December of 2023, but which he stands by now as well: GTA 6 can and will match or exceed the success of GTA 5.

“When GTA 5 launched in 2013, about 29% of console gamers (35 million) purchased a copy,” he said. “Assuming a similar adoption rate among an anticipated 130 million console install base in 2025, GTA 6 could sell around 38 million copies in its first twelve months. At an average selling price of $70, this would generate approximately $2.7 billion through both digital and physical channels, aligning with Take-Two’s projected earnings increase for 2025.”

If gamemakers are hoping and praying for a $100 GTA or even an $80 one, it sounds like they may have to keep dreaming after all.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Rivals Update 9 Introduces the Gunblade and Bridge Map as Nosniy Prepares to Add Ranked Mode

First-person shooter PvP Roblox experience Rivals has unleashed Update 9, adding the creative Gunblade weapon and Bridge map to its pool of content.

Developer Nosniy Games detailed each addition in patch notes for today’s update, revealing a handful of tweaks to pass the time as the team looks to the horizon. It’s a shorter list that positions the new update as one of the smaller in recent memory, but that doesn’t mean it won’t keep players locked in for the time being.

Rivals fans often show up for the FPS gameplay and stick around for the guns, so the Gunblade already feels right at home. This two-in-one rifle doubles as both a ranged weapon and a giant blade. Using both to catch your opponents off guard may prove useful in the heat of battle, especially on the new Rivals Bridge map. This suspended, concrete location leaves no room for small talk by putting players into close-quarters combat from the jump with only a few concrete walls and a bus standing in between them. Nosniy says the arena is located in Seoul and comes from creator @GreatGuyBoom.

Meanwhile, fans will notice that the Rivals Update 9 patch notes don’t mention any specific bug fixes, balance changes, or quality-of-life additions. The developers acknowledge their decision to ditch any other tweaks in favor of adding the Bridge map and Gunblade. Although there was room to “slightly” modify the skins for the Demon Shorty and Demon Uzi while renaming a few other weapons, Nosniy does promise more to come with the next major content update. Among the new additions will be one long-awaited feature: Ranked.

“We hear all of your feedback and want to reassure you all that every necessary & additional changes/improvements will be made in time for Ranked,” the team said in a statement.

Rivals fans have enjoyed regular updates since launch arrived last May. Update 7, for example, brought along the introduction of the Energy Rifle, Energy Pistols, Crossbow, and more. For more on the FPS Roblox experience, you can click here to see our list of all active Rivals codes. You can also see all Update 9 patch notes below.

Rivals Update 9 Patch Notes

NEW MAP

  • The brand-new Bridge map is herel
  • Enter this arena-style duel zone located in Seoul, Korea!
  • Made by @GreatGuyBoom!

NEW SPECIAL CHALLENGES!

  • The Winter Spotlight has been removed and replaced with a brand new set of challenges!
  • Complete a series of tasks on the new Bridge map to earn keys & the limited time Bungeoppang charm!

OTHER

  • The Demon Shorty & Demon Uzi skins have been slightly modified
  • The Hexxed Flare Gun skin, Hexxed Candle skin, and Hexxed wrap have been renamed to Vexed Flare Gun, Vexed Candle, & Vexed respectively

A NOTE FROM THE DEVELOPERS

  • “Hey everyone! We hope you enjoy this brand new map as we celebrate our Korean community!
  • Now that the holiday season is over, our next major content update will be the long-awaited Ranked update!
  • We also want to quickly mention that we purposely chose not to include any bug fixes, balance changes, & other quality of life additions this update. We hear all of your feedback and want to reassure you all that every necessary & additional changes/improvements will be made in time for Ranked!”

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP.

Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).