New Zelda and GTA represent a games industry that no longer exists

<figure> <img alt="Legend of Zelda" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Nintendo" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/NS2_TheLegendofZeldaOcarinaofTime_scrn_01.png?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>This is</em> The Stepback<em>, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on the biggest game releases of the year, follow</em> <a href="https://www.theverge.com/authors/andrew-webster"><em>Andrew Webster</em></a><em>.</em> The Stepback <em>arrives in our subscribers' inboxes on Sunday at 8AM ET. Opt in for</em> The Stepback <em></em><a href="https://www.theverge.com/newsletters"><em>here</em></a><em>.</em></p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">How it started</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The two biggest games of 2026 are set to launch just a few weeks apart in November.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">On the one side you have <a href="https://www.theverge.com/column/983410/grand-theft-auto-vi-exists-in-its-own-universe">the behemoth that is <em>Grand Theft Auto VI</em></a>, an experience 13 years in the making, and the sequel to one of the best-selling games in history. Its predecessor, <em>GTA V</em>, has sold a staggering 230 million copies since it launched in 2013, and was re-released …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/column/1022402/new-zelda-and-gta-represent-a-games-industry-that-no-longer-exists">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>