This Week in Gaming: Apple's Big Move, GTA VI Controversy, and More

Apple has made headlines by acquiring RAC7, the indie studio behind the hit Apple Arcade game Sneaky Sasquatch.

This marks Apple’s first-ever purchase of a video game studio, signaling a deeper commitment to gaming.

The move comes as Apple prepares to launch a new dedicated gaming app, aiming to unify achievements, leaderboards,

and social features across its devices.

Apple says, “We love Sneaky Sasquatch and are excited that the RAC7 team has joined Apple to continue

their work with us.” Grand Theft Auto VI is sparking heated debate in the gaming world.

While some fans celebrate the new protagonist Jason as a queer icon, critics warn against rewriting the franchise’s

history.

Experts point out that GTA has a track record of harmful stereotypes and targeted violence against marginalized groups.

As one analyst puts it, “Largely it is LGBT people, sex workers and women who are portrayed in

a bad way.” Despite hopes for progress, many caution that GTA VI may not deliver the inclusive experience

some are expecting.

Google’s Veo 3 video generator is making waves by creating realistic fake gameplay footage, raising questions about the

future of game development.

Developers are already using AI tools to speed up design and prototyping, but there are concerns about job

losses and the quality of AI-generated content.

As one observer notes, “AI, if we’re to believe the hype, appears to be a labor-reducing force across

the board in lots of industries, games included.” New York City is hosting its first annual Video Game

Festival, featuring esports competitions, indie game demos, and the finals of the Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs.

The event highlights gaming’s growing role in education and community building, with teams of students using Minecraft to

solve real-world challenges.

The festival is part of NYC’s larger Summer of Games initiative.

Hideo Kojima has confirmed that an anime adaptation of Death Stranding is in the works, alongside a live-action

film.

Kojima aims to push the boundaries of storytelling, saying he wants to create a version of Death Stranding

that could win awards at major film festivals.

This move is part of a broader trend of expanding game franchises into new media.

In a surprising twist, scientists in South Korea have used algorithms from video games to achieve a breakthrough

in nuclear fusion research.

By adapting collision detection technology, they’ve made fusion simulations 15 times faster, bringing us closer to sustainable fusion

energy.

This is a powerful example of how gaming tech can impact the real world.

A single known copy of the ultra-rare game TRIPITAKA has finally been preserved online, thanks to the efforts

of a dedicated video game academic.

This sequel to the cult classic Cosmology of Kyoto was believed lost for years.

Now, gaming history buffs can finally experience this piece of digital heritage.