Latest news with #Kotaku
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Switch 2 Leaker Explains How He Got The Console Early And Why He's Not Afraid Of Nintendo
It was the middle of the night when Fedor Volkov found himself anxiously waiting on the streets of Moscow for a ride back home. In his arms he held a Switch 2 box and nestled within was the console fans had been waiting years to get their hands on, but which still didn't officially go on sale for more than a week. He was too nervous and excited to remember to bring something to hide it in. 'I forgot the bag, I forgot everything,' he told Kotaku. 'And it was night, like 1:00 a.m. I am standing with a Switch 2 box, waiting for for the taxi to get back, to go back home. And I'm like, hope nobody will...' Volkov, speaking over Discord with ski glasses on and a sprawling Doom Slayer tattoo snaking up his arm, trails off and starts laughing. His t-shirt says 'welcome to hell' and a glass vase of what look like white carnations sits on a book shelf behind him. He and his friends, Vlad Malykhin and Artem Kolomiets, host a casual Russian gaming podcast. It's name, 'Попы и культура,' literally translates to Butts and Culture. Its logo is a Goatse reference. They started only a couple of years ago and will be hitting their 100th episode, they tell me, after Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest this year. How did these guys get a Switch 2 before almost anyone else? The answer is both simple and complex, they explain. It begins with Volkov seeing a friend post in a random Telegram group about securing a Switch 2 order that was scheduled to arrive the Monday before the official June 5 launch. When Volkov inquired about the details, the acquaintance gave him the name of a seller who had a handful of Switch 2 units coming in on a plane from Dubai. 'So I wrote to this guy,' he said. 'We cannot tell his name, sorry, and I wrote him like, 'Hey, man, I want to pre-order one Switch 2 for myself to make some content, you know, I have a podcast, blah, blah, blah, and also for me, for myself, to play video games, not to sell it or resell it, no, just for myself.' So he told me, 'Okay, yeah, good. I will have some in on Monday.' Then the guy pinged Volkov back 10 minutes later. He actually had a guy with an extra Switch 2 on a flight that would be arriving much sooner. Would Volkov be interested? They settled on a price: roughly $800. Volkov conferred with his podcast mates before accepting. 'I couldn't believe I [was] really going to get the Switch 2 nine days before release, first in the world, that we'll unpack it, unbox it,' he said. 'Until I saw the box, until I touched it with my hands, I couldn't believe that it's real.' Volkov immediately started making videos, which quickly disseminated throughout a ravenous Nintendo fandom on social media. He showed the setup sequence and its bespoke musical theme, as well as the system settings, including the existence of only two menu themes at launch: black and white. He also confirmed that no existing Switch 1 games could run on the new machine just yet. Due to a required day-one patch, and without access to Mario Kart World or another Switch 2 launch game cartridge to test, there's not actually a whole lot you can do with the console right now. After a flurry of bombshell leaks all but confirmed what the Switch 2 would look like ahead of its official reveal, Nintendo has been trying to keep the rest of the console's launch on lockdown, to the point where reportedly not even most media and content creators will have access to the machine to review it before it's out. The company has much less leverage in Russia, however, a market where it stopped officially selling products along with other big console makers following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Mario maker cut ties with the controversial CEO of Nintendo Russia back in 2023, began winding down the regional subsidiary soon after, and put the eShop into maintenance mode. The sanctions and boycotts have made it much more complicated to be a gamer in Russia, but a thriving black market for unauthorized imports and a litany of digital workarounds provide avenues for fans willing to jump through those hoops. Apple's new M4 MacBook Pro also popped up for sale in Russia before anywhere else. Podcast cohosts Malykhin and Kolomiets point to the use of Indian and Turkish PSN accounts, prepaid cards from overseas, and even bank accounts set up in neighboring Kazakhstan as ways to bypass the various restrictions. HBO Max isn't available in Russia, but they're caught up on The Last of Us thanks to VPNs (season 1 was great but season 2 has had more ups and downs, they say). Unlike some leakers, Volkov hasn't tried to anonymize his identity. In fact, his face is the first thing that appears in the group's initial pre-release Switch 2 unboxing, the YouTube comments for which were littered with people joking about 'Nintendo Ninjas' being dispatched to disappear Volkov and the channel. 'I thought about it first, like, 'Whoa, what if they're gonna, like, ban my Switch account?'' he said. He's not planning on logging into the console with his existing account until June 5. I mentioned the new provision that lets Nintendo brick anyone's Switch 2 if they violate the company's terms of service. He didn't seem worried. 'I didn't sign any NDAs. I bought this with my money. I bought, it I didn't steal it or something like that. Also, Nintendo is from Japan, you know, and they don't have any official shops in Russia anymore. They don't have a jurisdiction in Russia.' That's no doubt part of why he ended up purchasing one for almost twice the sticker price from a guy on Telegram instead of at a store like he did with his original Nintendo Switch. The other, of course, was internet clout in a gaming culture that prizes being first more than most things, though Volkov, Malykhin, and Kolomiets claim the goal wasn't to troll anyone. 'It's not like we want to show that, 'Oh, we got a Switch 2, you didn't get a Switch 2,' Volkov said. 'No, we just want to show you, like, some content and show that even in Russia, we have a lot of sanctions, you know, a lot of big companies banned us, yeah, yeah, but we want to show all the world that Russia also has, like, just some guys that just want to play video games.' . For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Some Switch 2 Games Will Support A USB Mouse
Well, this is neat. Apparently, some Switch 2 games will support you just plugging in a USB mouse and playing that way instead of using a controller or the Joy-Con's mouse-like features. I'll be curious to test this out when the console arrives next month. When the Switch 2 was announced, we learned you can flip one of the console's Joy-Con on its side and use it as a mouse. It's a really cool idea that might help RTSes and RPGs play better on Nintendo's upcoming console. Our own Kenneth Shepard played around with the Switch 2's Joy-Con mouse features and walked away sold on the tech, saying it works pretty well assuming you have a table and a comfy setup. But if you just want to use an actual USB mouse, well, it seems like that will be an option, too, at least in some games on Switch 2. On May 22, as spotted by Wario64 on Twitter, Koei Tecmo uploaded an official gameplay stream of Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening CE running on Switch 2. About 10 minutes into the gameplay demo, the game's producer Michi Ryu pulled out a USB mouse, plugged it into the console, and started playing the game with it. 'Once you connect the USB mouse, a message will appear in the top left indicating that the mouse is connected,' said Ryu via English subtitles. 'When the USB mouse is connected, it takes priority over the Joy-Con 2.' During the demo, the producer also demonstrated that you can switch between the Joy-Con and the mouse instantly as often as you want, letting you use them both at the same time. Kotaku has pinged Nintendo for more details about the Switch 2 supporting USB mice. I also asked them if the console will support USB keyboards. If so, that would make the Switch 2, which launches on June 5, even more of a direct competitor to the Steam Deck. Either way, I'm excited that the console will support more control options, as that allows more people to play in whatever way works best for them. . For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
13 Things We Spotted In GTA 6 Trailer 2
16 months on from Grand Theft Auto 6's first trailer, Rockstar Games has released the second trailer for its upcoming open-world action game. And while GTA 6 is still a year away after the recent delay, we at least now have a lot screenshots and a big new trailer to look over for the next few months. After watching and re-watching (and then re-watching a few more times...) GTA 6's new trailer, which was released out of nowhere on May 6, we've spotted TKTK details that you might have missed. So here's what we've seen in Grand Theft Auto 6's second trailer. 'Fixing some leaks' Screenshot: Rockstar Games / Kotaku Rockstar's new trailer opens with one of the main characters, Jason Duval, on a roof doing some repairs. When asked what he's doing, Jason says he's 'fixing some leaks.' 100 percent that's a reference to all the GTA 6 leaks that have happened over the last few years. Is that Stephen Root? Screenshot: Rockstar Games / Kotaku This might be confirmed by the time you read this, but when Jason's friend/landlord/criminal compatriot Brian arrives, it sounds a lot like Stephen Root from Barry and Office Space. 'Everybody Have Fun Tonight' Wang Chung's 1980s hit song, 'Everybody Have Fun Tonight' is one of a few different tracks that plays in the trailer. The other major song is 'Hot Together' by the Pointer Sisters, another big hit from the '80s. This might be a clue that Rockstar has done the right thing and added an '80s-themed radio station to GTA 6. Weightlifting might be back Screenshot: Rockstar Games / Kotaku Good news to fans of lifting weights and getting buff, a feature last seen in GTA San Andreas: it looks like Rockstar might be bringing it back in GTA 6. In this trailer and the various screenshots released by Rockstar, Jason looks a bit different, sometimes with more or less sun burn, different hair cuts, and even some extra bulk. Lucia Caminos & Jason Duval Screenshot: Rockstar Games / Kotaku When Jason arrives at prison to pick up Lucia, who we first saw locked up in GTA 6's original trailer, the guard asks his name. He says Jason Duval. We also learn here that Lucia's last name is Caminos. The two of them seem like a tight couple, going on dates, laying on top of one another, and robbing places together. Truly, this love story won't end in tragedy. Hurricane Roxy happened Screenshot: Rockstar Games / Kotaku Not much more to say, but at one point we see a bar and a sign that mentions 'Hurricane Roxy.' This is likely a past storm that hit Leonida, Rockstar's Florida stand in. The gold dress returns Screenshot: Rockstar Games / Kotaku In the first trailer we saw a woman in a car wearing a gold dress, then partying at night. Now we see what happened before and get confirmation that, yes, that was indeed Lucia. It appears that she and Jason go out to a rockin' club and grind all over one another, perhaps after that drive down the highway. An elevated train Screenshot: Rockstar Games / Kotaku During a quick moment in the trailer we see an elevated passenger train. This appears to be Rockstar's version of Miami's real Metrorail. Fight clubs Screenshot: Rockstar Games / Kotaku It looks like Lucia (and maybe Jason) will be able to fight in tournaments or possibly underground fight clubs in GTA 6. As she kicks someone we see what looks like a small crowd of people behind her, cheering. Upgrading your house Screenshot: Rockstar Games / Kotaku Throughout the full trailer we see Lucia and Jason living in a small house in Leonida. At first the place looks rough, but in different parts of the trailer we see the house get fixed up more and more. Will players be able to decorate or customize their home as they steal more money and finish mission? Perhaps! New sports team Screenshot: Rockstar Games / Kotaku We've seen professional sports teams in past GTA games, and now we have a new one: The Leonida Manatees. Based on the jersey color and design, I think this is Rockstar's spin on the Miami Dolphins NFL team. A PS5 in GTA 6? Screenshot: Rockstar Games / Kotaku At the very end of the new trailer, we see Jason laying on the couch and watching TV. What he's watching is very interesting, but before we talk about that I want to point out the PS4-looking controllers and the PS5-looking console in their living room. Now, this won't be an actual PlayStation, but I'll be curious if we see the return of the in-universe Degenetron brand first seen in GTA Vice City. Phil Cassidy?! Screenshot: Rockstar Games / Kotaku Perhaps the wildest moment in this trailer, for superfans at least, is the possible return of Phil Cassidy from GTA Vice City. In the trailer he's on the TV as part of a gun store commercial. Now, this is odd because Phil is from the GTA 3D universe (which is all the games between GTA III and Vice City Stories) and hasn't been a part of the HD universe—the 3D and HD timelines are separate, beyond some stuff crossovers like brands, radio stations, etc. So does this mean GTA 6 is set in the 3D Universe? No, I don't think so. Instead, I think Rockstar is either teasing fans, and this guy will be named Phil Willy or something different, or the studio is willing to create new versions of past characters for its HD timeline. Either way, it is very interesting. Will Tommy from Vice City appear in this game? We'll find out when GTA 6 launches on PS5 and Xbox in May 2026. . For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Internet Reacts To GTA 6's Biggest Trailer Yet
It's been over 17 months since the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI revealed what Rockstar Games was cooking up for its return to Vice City. Fans were getting desperate for new screenshots to dissect and footage to speculate about. Now they've hit pay dirt with a nearly three-minute deep-dive into GTA 6's parody of south Florida, and people can't believe how good it looks. Is it almost exclusively pre-baked cutscenes? How much of it is in-engine, let alone truly captured in-game rather than pre-baked? We'll know when the game comes out on May 26, 2026. For now, who cares! Fans are feasting on a beautiful new trailer and additional info from Rockstar Games, including a completely refreshed website, with information about GTA 6's cast of characters, including internet conspiracy theorists and strip club hustlers. It also sheds more light on the love story swirling around dual criminal protagonists Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. Screenshot: YouTube / Kotaku reddit-thread-gaming-1kg4yea Screenshot: Bluesky / Kotaku Most people have been blown away by how good the trailer looks. Again, how reflective that is of the finished game remains to be seen, but Rockstar Games has certainly earned itself the benefit of the doubt in many quarters over the years, especially between GTA V and Red Dead Redemption VI. The footage was running on a PlayStation 5, which is also a boon to those worried the game might only really pop on a PS5 Pro (it'll also be on Xbox Series X/S but a PC port won't be ready at launch). We'll see if that widespread enthusiasm remains once the game's price is announced. With Microsoft and Nintendo both moving to $80 for their most premium games, it's not inconceivable now that GTA 6 could blow past that and come in at $100 as some analysts have speculated, potentially with an even higher price tag for early access or other deluxe edition bonuses. With the launch still more than a year away, after being delayed out of fall 2025, there's plenty of time for Rockstar to trickle out more of the details and for GTA 6 to continue dominating the fan theory and rumor mill for a while longer. Who knows if it will live up to its unprecedented hype. All things considered it's looking pretty incredible right now, though. . For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
News18
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
What Is GTA VI And Why Its Delay Has Sparked Frustration In Gaming Community?
Last Updated: Fans, who were expecting GTA VI to launch in 2025, are disappointed over its delay, especially since Rockstar has made similar last minute delays in the past. Rockstar Games has announced a major delay for GTA VI and pushed its release for an entire year. Fans, who were expecting the game to launch in 2025, are disappointed over this change, especially since Rockstar has made similar last minute delays in the past. The developer explained that the delay is necessary due to the high expectations and with so much excitement, the company wants to ensure the game leaves players satisfied. The previous game, Grand Theft Auto 5, continues to be popular and remains one of the best selling video games in history, which has raised the bar for the upcoming title. GTA 6 And Years Of Production The upcoming instalment will feature Lucia, the series' first female main character and will take players back to Vice City, a location based on Miami. The city was first seen in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City back in 2002. It is hard to say exactly when the developers started working on GTA VI, but many believe the early planning began around 2014, after the launch of GTA 5. If it's true, that would mean the game has been in development for close to 11 years. In 2020, Rockstar executive Jennifer Kolbe told Kotaku that the company was working on a new game. During that time, she had said that the game will grow over time to help developers avoid long and stressful work hours. However, the company officially confirmed GTA VI in February 2022 and later shared the first trailer in 2023. After it was first announced in 2011, the GTA 5 faced a delay and missed its planned release date by a few months, as the developers needed more time to improve it. It was finally released in November 2014. The story takes place in the fictional town of San Andreas, inspired by Los Angeles, and follows three main characters, Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton and Trevor Philips. Together, they plan and carry out heists while dealing with threats from a corrupt government group and dangerous criminals. Fans Reactions In the latest announcement, the GTA VI team mentioned, 'Grand Theft Auto VI is now set to release on May 26, 2026. We are very sorry that this is later than you expected. The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team. With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve." Following the delay announcement, the news quickly started trending around the world. Some players showed support and said they were willing to wait for a better game. However, the majority are upset because Rockstar had been saying for a long time that the game will be ready in 2025. Reacting to the post, a user wrote, 'If you are gonna delay it, at least give us some screenshots. This marketing strategy may be working for you, but it is painful for the fans." Another shared, 'I think most gamers would actually prefer that y'all just release more GTA titles rather than take 13 years between games." 'On one hand, this is disappointing. On the other hand, I really hope this extra time means we get an incredible complete experience on launch, just like RDR2 was. Good luck on development, we will be there," a comment read. An individual asked, 'Why would you as a company, have a whole ass trailer with a release year when you aren't ready? If you're gonna have a year in the trailer, at least make sure you can deliver." One more added, 'I just smashed my TV in front of 30 guests at my party because of the game. My wife just took our crying kids and said they're all spending the week at a hotel. This delay has ruined my life and my expectations. I can't handle this anymore. Goodbye Rockstar. I am no longer a fan." Guinness World Records Trivia Even though GTA VI has faced several delays, it is not the game that took the longest to make. After Rockstar shared the news about the delay, Guinness World Records (GWR) posted a fun fact claiming that Duke Nukem Forever took even longer to be made, as it came out 14 years after it was first announced in 1997. Replying to Rockstar, GWR wrote, 'Longest development period for a videogame? 14 years and 43 days. Officially announced on 28 April 1997 by developer 3D Realms, the FPS 'Duke Nukem Forever' was finally released on 10 June 2011." Despite the disappointing news, GTA VI is expected to set new sales records when it finally comes out. Many believe it could even surpass the GTA 5 record, which had the biggest and most successful launch. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 03, 2025, 15:40 IST News explainers What Is GTA VI And Why Its Delay Has Sparked Frustration In Gaming Community?
