GTA 6 Latest News And New Cozy Trend

Check Out Some Cozy Games, Quantum Computing Hurdles, GTA 6, and A Mind Tripping British Game

Read time: under 4 minutes

Today’s Insights

  • Cozy Games Boom: How this $80B gaming trend is reshaping player habits.

  • GTA 6 Frustration: Rockstar’s silence is breaking records—and fans’ patience.

  • Quantum Leap?: Google’s 105-qubit chip might solve quantum computing’s biggest hurdle.

  • Weirdly Brilliant: A surreal British game that’s equal parts slapstick and Monty Python.

  • Stress-Free Play: Why more gamers are trading boss battles for farming cute veggies.

THIS WEEK IN GAMING

Get Cozy This Holiday Season

If you haven’t played or at least heard of games such as The Sims, Harvest Moon, or Animal Crossing, what rock have you been hiding under? These titles are becoming part of the new genre called “Cozy Games.” A new-ish term that’s been gaining traction since Animal Crossing-New Horizons which was released in 2020 and has sold over 31 million copies worldwide so far. During the pandemic when everything was shut down and people around the world were experiencing record high levels of anxiety, some turned to easygoing games for stress relief. 

Cozy games are usually open-ended, non-violent games where the main goals are exploration, gathering materials, growing plants, or caring for in-game characters. While this may not sound that entertaining to some, I have to say, for this person, once I got immersed, it was hard to pull myself away. Since the pandemic, demand for these easygoing games and other cozy tech has steadily risen, with projections seeing this gaming trend reaching $80 billion next year. 

Part of the massive draw is there’s no winner or loser in cozy games. You don’t have to fight for your life, there’s less stress, more escapism, and you can express yourself by building and decorating your space. The stress can be overwhelming when facing off against a boss with multiple health bars and hundreds of minions coming at you from every direction. Instead of skyrocketing your blood pressure, choose to channel your zen with a cozy game. Take some time to get away from it all; tend a farm with cute animals, easy-to-grow veggies, and design the perfect home. If you’re looking to get started in the cozy genre, look into games such as Animal Crossing, Tiny Glade, or Garden Life-A Cozy Simulator.

Not only are games getting cozy, but apps, and tech and smart home products are showing off their cozy side. Are you feeling the need to get cozy but not sure where to start? Check out some of these cozy tech items. 

DEVELOPER INSIGHTS

Unreleased Game Breaking Records And Breaking Fans

What is it with game developers lately? They tease a game or a title and then make fans wait many, long, agonizing years before the game comes out, or they continue to dangle the carrot indefinitely. Yeah, I’m looking directly at you Elder Scrolls 6. 

Elder Scrolls 5, Skyrim was released in 2011 and fans are still waiting on the next installment. Supposedly it’s going to be released sometime in 2026, “or later,” as Bethesda has been quoted as saying. Though Elder Scrolls may be trying for the Guinness record for the longest period between titles, GTA VI has broken the record for the longest game silence between the first trailer and releasing any new information or media on an up-and-coming game. On December 5th of 2023, the first trailer was dropped, but nothing has come out since–no new trailers, no screenshots, nothing. In context, eight months passed between the first GTA 5 trailer, and at least some screenshots to keep fans hanging on in anticipation. Red Dead Redemption 2 got screenshots and more news after seven months. 

Since Rockstar has been quiet about upcoming events and releases, one thing is clear, fans are not going to see GTA 6 for the holidays like some had thought earlier in the year. Right now the tentative date for release is Q1 of 2025, which relates to sometime between January and March. But there is speculation, because of the long time between trailers and screenshots, that 2026 might be a more accurate release date. 

It seems fans of the GTA franchise are still hanging on, but they’re understandably getting tired of the constant radio silence.

When the game finally does drop, it will be available for PS5, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X.

TECH SPOTLIGHT

Quantum Computing Experiencing a Quantum Leap

The tech giants, Microsoft, IBM, Google, and more are doing everything they can to unlock the first quantum computer. Google seems to have overcome a big hurdle in quantum computing, making sure that the information is accurate and free of errors. With their 105 cubit chip called Willow, Google is experiencing a huge leap ahead. 

So, what exactly is quantum computing? To try and break it down, quantum computing uses atoms, electrons, and smaller, subatomic particles called qubits to relay information. Your typical computer, cell phone, or tablet uses a binary system to relay information. Each letter, number, or tiny “bit” of information is relayed using specific strings of 1s and 0s. The subatomic qubits can be 1, 0, or both at the same time. It opens up more information at exponentially faster speeds. Quantum computing has another process called entanglement, which links the qubits together so that they can all affect each other and “talk” to each other—no matter how far apart they are—instantaneously. 

When the qubits are all synched and working together seamlessly, they can solve complex problems such as breaking encryption, or simulating molecules for drug discovery incredibly fast. Problems that would take today’s fastest computer thousands of years to solve, can, theoretically be solved in hours or days by a working quantum computer. 

One of the major problems with quantum computing, everyone is trying to overcome, is the potential for errors. When working with subatomic particles, even the tiniest disturbance in “The Force” can cause errors in calculations. In fact, they can be jostled by subatomic particles from events happening in outer space. But Google says they have strung the qubits together in their Willow chip in such a way that error rates decrease as the number of qubits increases. They also say they can correct errors in real-time. 

While these are huge leaps ahead, quantum computers are still years away from fruition. We’re looking at possibly 10 to 15 years before we see these instruments in homes.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
A Slapping Good Time!

Today we’re taking a close look at one quirky, strangely funny, oddball, and overall weird game called Thank Goodness You’re Here. Imagine one part Monty Python, one part Alice in Wonderland, and one part psychedelic head trip, and you might have the basic essence of this game.  

This is a quick game that can be completed in about two hours, but I assure you that you’ve probably never seen anything like this. The character you play is a very small, balding, mute, traveling salesman. I’m not sure how he sells anything being so quiet, but he has a mean slap. Maybe it’s the intimidation factor? 

Anyway, you start off in an office listening to your clearly overly stressed boss throwing a tantrum. He’s telling you to hurry up and get over to the town of Barnsworth. Once his fit is finished, he dismisses you… by bouncing a cup off your head, knocking you off the chair. And just like that you’re out the doo…window, the fifth-story window.  

Unfortunately, the mayor is indisposed for a few hours so you get free reign in the town. It seems these people are a bit helpless and need you to complete strange tasks for them. How do you complete these tasks you say? Well, I’m glad you asked—your only actions are jump and slap. That’s right. You’re running around, jumping on store counters, people, and whatever else you can land on while slapping them, beer kegs, shrimp, bags of trash, you name it. Run around, meet someone who needs your help, slap some strange items, including a bunch of bums, and go on dream-like adventures, that’s it.

While this game doesn’t have a ton of replay value and it’s something you can finish in a few lunch breaks, it’s the animation and humor that draws the crowds. Thank Goodness You’re Here is straight-up crude, lewd, and shrewd British humor. For those who love irreverent, suggestive humor, you’ll enjoy Thank Goodness You’re Here. 

COMPANIES HIRING
5 Open Jobs on Our Job Board

 Riot Games: As a Senior IP Administrator, reporting to the Head of Legal for Games and IP, you will ensure our trademark portfolio helps Riot get to the next level.

 Bible X Games: Use Unreal Engine expertise to not only harness its power but also shape and push the technology further. Design, implement, and expand existing features that are only limited to your imagination.

 Epic Games: Play a critical role as part of our collaboration with Disney.

 Disbelief: Develop and debug a variety of areas from gameplay to core engine programming.

 Turtle Rock Studios: Tackle complicated problems, and solve crashes and other problems while mentoring less experienced programmers.

Acquire new customers and drive revenue by partnering with us

Leaderboard is read by thousands of qualified professionals in the video game space. Companies like Microsoft, Nintendo, and Electronic Arts feature their products and jobs in Leaderboard. You can learn more about partnering with us here.

Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe here: https://leaderboards-newsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Until next time,

John and the Leaderboard team