The Thursday letters page asks readers to pick the best game of 2026 that isn't GTA 6, as the Golden Joysticks awards exclude Rockstar's title. Readers also discuss potential GTA 6 launch issues, AI blackmail, and hopes for Jill Valentine in the next Resident Evil.
Golden Joysticks 2026 Nominees
One reader notes that while GTA 6 will dominate The Game Awards, the Golden Joysticks have different dates and do not include it. The full list of 12 nominees for 'Ultimate' Game of the Year includes: 007 First Light, Big Walk, Control Resonant, Crimson Desert, Dispatch, Forza Horizon 6, Phantom Blade Zero, Pokémon Pokopia, Pragmata, Resident Evil Requiem, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, and The Blood Of Dawnwalker.
The reader expresses disappointment that Onimusha: Way Of The Sword is not on the list, which would have given Capcom three nominations. They identify 007 First Light, Resident Evil Requiem, and Star Wars: Galactic Racer as front runners, with a close call between Resident Evil and 007.
Concerns Over GTA 6 Launch
Another reader wonders what would happen if GTA 6 had a bad launch, similar to Cyberpunk 2077. They recall that the game was unplayable on consoles at release and nearly ended CD Projekt Red, with Sony removing it from the PlayStation Store for a long time. While they don't think Rockstar would make such a mistake, they note that the makers of The Witcher 3 also weren't expected to mess up.
AI Blackmail and Game Cloning
A reader expresses shock at reports of AI being used to blackmail indie developers and clone games. They describe it as "dystopian madness" and question how publishers can make money if everything gets cloned within minutes. They see no solution, as "the genie is out of the bottle and it's not going to go back in."
Jill Valentine's Return
Another reader hopes that Resident Evil 10 will give Jill Valentine a starring role, noting her last mainline game was Resident Evil 5, almost two decades ago. They criticize the series' story as messy and inconsistent, with too much focus on Leon and a lack of continuity after Resident Evil Village.
BioWare's Shutdown and GTA 6 File Size
A reader suggests that BioWare's shutdown cannot be blamed entirely on EA, noting that Anthem was BioWare's idea and that Dragon Age: The Veilguard had terrible marketing. They argue that over a decade without a hit would test any company's patience.
Another reader wonders how long GTA 6's single-player will remain on hard drives, especially if GTA Online 2 is a separate download. They express curiosity about the statistic of how long players keep the game installed.
