A specter haunts video games, and its name is Grand Theft Auto 6. To use the ghastly corporate term, Rockstar is a thought leader in video games. (Image credit: John Strike / Future) Big in 2026 spotlights the 50 most anticipated games of the year, with exclusive developer access and deep dives. The upcoming year is effectively Rockstar's by default, and the choices it makes will likely be felt by gamers and game developers alike for years to come. Image 1 of 9 (Image credit: Rockstar Games) (Image credit: Rockstar Games) (Image credit: Rockstar Games) (Image credit: Rockstar Games) (Image credit: Rockstar Games) (Image credit: Rockstar Games) (Image credit: Rockstar Games) (Image credit: Rockstar Games) (Image credit: Rockstar Games)Backstage PassThere are also some unfortunate side effects to Rockstar's influence on games.