HighlightsGr and Theft Auto VI exists in its own universeGTA VI is a worrying sign for the future of physical gamesGr and Theft Auto VI is warping the video game release calendarRockstar says new GTA VI trailer was ‘equal parts gameplay and cutscenes’Let’s rewatch the Grand Theft Auto VI trailerThe first GTA VI trailer is hereRockstar finally confirms it’s working on the next Grand Theft AutoGr and Theft Auto VI exists in its own universeImage: Rockstar GamesThis is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on GTA VI and the state of the video game industry, follow Andrew Webster.

The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here.

Four years ago, fans got a long-awaited look at Grand Theft Auto VI with a huge cache of videos that showed off Rockstar’s latest open-world epic. There were 90 videos in total, providing a glimpse at the next-generation take on Vice City, introducing the game’s new dual protagonists, and generally showing off the crime-fueled mayhem the series is known for.

The twist? This wasn’t some official reveal.

The videos were part of a massive leak in September 2022 that ultimately ended with a life sentence in a secure hospital for the hacker, and they dropped months before Rockstar properly unveiled GTA VI to the world with its debut trailer. Read Article >Microsoft and Discord subpoenaed over GTA VI gameplay leaksImage: Rockstar GamesFollowing several apparent video leaks of Grand Theft Auto VI, Take-Two Interactive has subpoenaed Microsoft and Discord over content that “infringes copyrights” held for the game, Kotaku reports.

In the subpoenas, filed on Thursday, Take-Two says copyrighted material includes “audiovisual content, artwork, images, dialogue, or other creative elements” and it is looking to identify “alleged infringers at issue.” The subpoenas give Microsoft and Discord until September 4th to produce the requested information.

The leaked clips have been watermarked by a person or group going by “CyberLeek,” and they have shown what appears to be GTA VI protagonist Jason Duval (one of two protagonists) doing various activities, including driving, flying an airplane, using a taser, and attacking somebody with a wrench. In one clip, the player spells “LEEK” by shooting holes in a wall.

Read Article >A GTA VI leaker seemingly has a playable build. A new clip shared by the person or group identifying themselves as “CyberLeek” shows Jason Duval, one of the game’s protagonists, shooting the word “LEEK” into a wall, which suggests an actual copy of the game has escaped Rockstar Games’ containment.