Blizzard Leads Xbox, GTA VI Gets a Netflix Reveal, and VCT Posts Six August 9 Results

Industry

• Blizzard has reportedly become Xbox's "top performing" studio, driven by strong results from Overwatch and Diablo 4 DLC. It gives Microsoft's current turnaround story a named winner. Read more →
• Kotaku reports that Sony plans to cease making physical PlayStation discs; because publishers currently rely on Sony for that manufacturing pipeline, the shift could leave no straightforward replacement for new boxed releases. Read more →
• Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick says higher PS5 and Xbox prices are "not a good thing," but he still expects GTA 6 to launch as planned on November 19 without the install base falling below expectations. Read more →

Releases and updates

• Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls' PC launch has been hit by enough problems that FGC creator Maximilian Dood uninstalled it on stream. The fighting game's launch-weekend technical state is now part of the story. Read more →
• IGN reports Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick discussing the Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look Netflix reveal. The next major look at Rockstar's game is therefore also a distribution story. Read more →
• Polygon calls ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs a Steam sleeper hit that pairs Y2K nostalgia with a compelling story. It puts a smaller, distinctive PC game on the radar alongside the week's franchise-heavy news. Read more →

Esports

• VCT China Stage 2's August 9 slate ended with EDward Gaming beating Wolves Esports 2–1 and Trace Esports sweeping FunPlus Phoenix 2–0. Read more →
• VCT Pacific Stage 2 saw VARREL beat Paper Rex 2–0, while Rex Regum Qeon edged Nongshim RedForce 2–1. Read more →
• In VCT Americas Stage 2, NRG swept Evil Geniuses 2–0 and 100 Thieves swept LOUD 2–0. Read more →