In a recent podcast by [Eurogamer Spain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7_DpMvkXlc), they mention a few key things they’ve heard about PlayStation and Xbox at the Gamescom show floor.
Take note that these are unverified rumors, and as such, should be treated with a grain of salt.

That rumor is taking shape because different publishers are bringing it up, and above all because it seems, and here comes another rumor that’s been circulating… that PlayStation has realized it is leaving an opening for other market players to shift their strategy.
And that these players could take advantage of this situation regarding the demand for, or complaints about, physical formats to change their philosophy moving forward.

Among them is Microsoft. The word around here is that Microsoft is speaking internally with all publishers, stating that their next console will be “100% physical”, with the ability to convert your physical games into digital ones. It is being said that Microsoft is telling developers that Project Helix, their upcoming console, will be entirely physical.

The rumor doesn’t stop there. It also mentions how Sony was also approached by a “major” game maker about its “massive title,” and how if Sony can’t promise a physical release, this major game maker (which was said isn’t Rockstar), will skip releasing on PlayStation and just release the title on Microsoft and Nintendo’s platforms.
Aside from the fact that it wouldn’t make sense for this mystery company to be Rockstar due to existing marketing agreements and logistics, it’s really interesting to see the rumbles of shifting strategies going against PlayStation.

https://mp1st.com/news/rumor-sony-reportedly-reconsidering-delaying-digital-only-plans-due-to-xbox-pushing-for-100-physical-strategy-for-xbox

Update on Oct 8: It looks like a new wave of leaks is starting to surface. Personally, I’m not interested in hunting them down, since the game is coming out next month. If you’re interested in seeing or posting them, I recommend checking the latest comments on this post.

Unfortunately, Rockstar has already deleted many of the links to the old leaks, and I don't have the files to re-upload them. Perhaps others can repost them in the comments as well.

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Gameplay 1 https://streamable.com/hpdt2t
Gameplay 2 https://streamable.com/s0cknc
Gameplay 3 https://streamable.com/nkp2v6 (leaked on Aug 19th)
Gameplay 4 https://streamable.com/qtxslf (leaked on Aug 19th)
Gameplay 5 https://streamable.com/sgom2o (leaked on Aug 20th)
Gameplay 6 https://streamable.com/pe5etj (leaked on Aug 21st)
Gameplay 7 https://streamable.com/8rfg6r (leaked on Aug 22nd)
Gameplay 8 https://streamable.com/usp2nf (leaked on Aug 22nd - NSFW?)
Gameplay 9 https://streamable.com/36qajk (leaked on Aug 23rd)
Gameplay 10 https://streamable.com/29udqh (leaked on Aug 23rd)
Gameplay 11 https://streamable.com/tmcd0w (leaked on Aug 24th - NSFW! Full Nudity!)
Gameplay 12 https://streamable.com/ih5sqf (leaked on Aug 25th - NSFW?)
Gameplay 13 https://streamable.com/3l3xcj (leaked on Aug 25th)
Gameplay 14 https://streamable.com/2wo7qa (leaked on Aug 25th)
Gameplay 15 https://streamable.com/h4d5hg (leaked on Aug 26th - Story Cutscene!)
Gameplay 16 https://streamable.com/kk9nug (leaked on Aug 26th - Prologue!)

(Videos 1 to 6 4K AI upscaled: https://gofile.io/d/ZmOITvg8)
(Higher Quality links (most are HDR encoded): https://gofile.io/d/hQFjiWWW)

The full map - Map scale

Huge Github page detailing the whole leak and its content: https://github.com/zyrexdz/cyberleek-leak-research (link down at the moment — It can be accessed through Web Archive, despite not being able to provide information on the most recent leaks)

Things confirmed by the videos:

- Basketball mini-game
- There's a RDR2-style karma system
- You will be able to store loadouts in your car's trunk
- Your car will require maintenance to keep running
- Your car needs to be refueled
- Six-star wanted system is back
- AI may carry melee weapons
- Player actions on a fight affect stamina
- NPCs can go road rage against the player
- The GPS only works when you're on a vehicle (it may be necessary to use the character's smartphone to find your way around)
- Cops will identify you in multiple ways, whether by your clothing, appearance, or vehicle
- The player will be able to clone car keys to prevent alarms from going on when stealing vehicles
- Melee combat seems quite similar to RDR2's, including the slow-motion finishing move
- One of the videos features a song from Tate McCrae playing on the radio. The song was released in January 2025, indicating that at least that video was recorded within the last 18 months
- The mechanic for greeting or taunting random NPCs, which already existed in RDR2, will be available in the game

A PlayStation 5 version of the new Gears of War game was in development and had been planned for release until Sharma changed tack, according to the people familiar with Xbox strategy. Retailers had been preparing to open pre-orders for the PlayStation 5 version, and many Xbox employees were surprised by the announcement.

Sharma and her team also pulled a Halo trailer that was due to appear at a PlayStation event last week, potentially damaging the relationship between the two companies, according to people familiar with the change of plans.*

Xbox is planning major layoffs and studios closures starting next month... More in the article.

Out of the 3 million players Bethesda bragged about last week, 2.2 million are said to be playing through Xbox Game Pass.

The matter was settled until it wasn’t. On Thursday, an email accidentally provided (more) false hope for a GTA VI disc. The email, a response to a ticket filed to Rockstar Support asking for a disc-based version of Grand Theft Auto VI, stated, “You will be able to acquire a physical copy during the following months.”

The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the authenticity of the email as coming from Rockstar.

The language is being misinterpreted by a hopeful internet, a source with knowledge of the plans told THR. At this point in time, there are no plans for Grand Theft Auto VI discs to be printed — not at launch, and not months after. The email’s use of the phrase “physical copy” there refers to the same “physical version” (the code in a case) announced on Wednesday, and its “the following months” language is a clunky reference to the months following Wednesday’s announcement, the source said, and not the months following the Nov. 19, 2026 release. (Players will be able to begin the lengthy process of preloading the giant game on Nov. 12.)

"According to Jefferies Equity Research, it is reported that memory prices are expected to see a 40-50% rise in Q3 2026 versus the current quarter. Following Q3, the market should brace for another 30-40% hike in Q4 2026.

A 40-45% Year-on-Year price hike is suggested, and the only recovery will be seen by 2028 when ASPs are expected to decline as new capacity, around 15 to 20 percent, comes into play. This supply won't be as meaningful as anticipated, as demand for AI and compute continues to increase.

• 3Q 2026 pricing: +40% to +50% Quarter over Quarter
• 4Q 2026 pricing: +30% to +40% QoQ
• 2027 pricing: +40% to +45% YoY
• 2028 ASP: Potential decline due to 15%–20% supply growth from new capacity vs slower demand

Currently, 50% of the total capacity is covered in long-term deals and contracts that are being signed between memory makers and top tech firms. Micron already signed 16 agreements as part of its SCA's (Strategic Customer Agreements).

This could rise to 70%, which means that there is going to be even fewer supply available for consumer products such as PCs, Laptops, Consoles, and smartphones, leading to higher prices across the board.

The report states that Chinese products pose no threat and are no longer considered to disrupt the market during the 2026-2027 period, but that might change by 2028 when CXMT and YMTC enter the next phase of their "Epic Expansion" initiative, which will see the acceleration of new fabs and production lines. That could lead China to develop enough supply inventory to cater to offshore markets.

The memory market is poised for sustained price escalation through 2026 and 2027 due to persistent global supply shortages, strong AI-driven demand, and limited new capacity additions. Long-term contracts between major suppliers and hyperscalers will further constrain availability for consumer electronics, driving higher prices across PCs, smartphones, and other devices.

While modest relief may arrive in 2028 from 15-20% new supply, Chinese DRAM/NAND producers are unlikely to provide meaningful near-term disruption or price relief, leaving the industry facing elevated costs well into the late 2020s."

- Gaming Division Continues Strong Third Quarter: Sony's third-quarter results are expected to beat market expectations, driven by sales of both in-house and third-party games.

- PlayStation Lifecycle Extended: Sony expects the PS5's lifecycle to be extended, and the PS6's release is likely to be delayed longer than many expected.

Posted on ResetEra

Just yet another rumor but it would make sense with the AI ​​bubble and price increases.

Edit: Full mentions by analyst David Gibson:

• Sony expects the PS5's lifecycle to be longer than the previous generation.
• Based on this view, the PS6 is likely to be released after 2028.
• The increase in memory prices does not affect performance in the PS5 short term due to inventory.
• The rise in memory costs could become a problem in the fiscal year ending March 2027.
• Sony may pass on the cost increase to its customers in the future.