Most Anticipated Video Games Coming in 2026: Ants and art news

Grand Theft Auto VI is unquestionably the most anticipated video game of 2026.

The long-awaited sequel from developer Rockstar Games is expected to be released in November—13 years after the record-breaking GTA V.

The game was scheduled to be released in autumn 2025 but was pushed to May 2026 before it gets delayed again.

Rockstar said the extra time would help the team “finish the game with the excellence you expect and deserve.”

Once launched, players will return to Vice City, a Miami-flavoured metropolis in the fictional kingdom of Leonida.

The Bonnie and Clyde-style story will follow the criminal couple Jason Duvall and Lucia Cimino – the first playable female characters in the series’ history.

GTA has consistently satirised American culture, despite some aspects of the country’s politics over the past decade appearing inappropriate in the game.

GTA VI is sure to continue the series’ tradition of satire, and based on the footage released so far, it appears that no expense has been spared in regard to bringing the sun-soaked streets of Vice City to life.

Dundee, Scotland is the birthplace of the GTA series, making it one of the industry’s largest franchises.

It is one of the best-selling video games of all time.

GTA V became the fastest entertainment product in history to earn $1 billion (in its first three days) and has since sold over 220 million copies worldwide – making it the second best-selling video game of all time, behind Minecraft.

GTA VI is also expected to be popular worldwide and achieve giant sales.

Should past trends continue, GTA Online is poised to generate significant revenue.

The persistent online world offers endless opportunities for monetization— gamers are tempted to spend money on new vehicles, weapons, properties, businesses, and cosmetic upgrades.

Expert research analyst Michael Pachter previously told Sky News that he believes Rockstar and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive Software, would be able to charge $100 (about £75) for just the base game with little complaint.

However, the GTA series boasts two winning elements that some other games don’t have – brand power and fan loyalty.

If other AAA (Triple-A) game publishers attempt to follow suit and raise their starting prices, they may find that any accepted GTA increase is the exception rather than the rule.

As the career criminal and former bank robber Trevor Phillips, a character from GTA V, famously said, “I said something good, not expensive.”

fable

After a delay from its initial 2025 release window, we expect the long-awaited Fable reboot to release sometime in 2026.

It will be the first new installment in the action-RPG franchise since Fable: The Journey in 2012.

The series has been on hiatus since Microsoft cancelled Fable Legends and subsequently closed down original developers Lionhead Studios in 2016.

Playground Games, the parent company behind the successful Forza Horizon series, is developing a reboot for Xbox Game Studios.

Still based on the fantasy world of Albion, the series will be updated with contemporary gameplay mechanics and visuals to attract a new generation of players.

According to the footage released so far, fans can expect a classic fantasy adventure full of “life and death stuff.”

The storybook-style world features beautiful horseback rides, magical creatures, playful dialogue, and player-driven choices.

As well as the action-heavy combat, Fable’s signature chicken-kicking option appears to be alive and well.

While not much is known about our hero, British comedians Richard Ayoade and Matt King will play a legend and a once-great champion turned guru, respectively.

The game will release on Xbox Series X/S as well as PC and will be playable from day one through Games Pass.

Given that the IP (intellectual property) is owned by Microsoft, it’s unlikely that the game will be arriving on PS5 any time soon after its initial release.

007 first light

007 First Light is a James Bond origin story that follows a resourceful recruit during his time on the MI6 training program before becoming the world-famous spy we know and love.

The action-adventure game is scheduled to be released in May – having been pushed back from March – and is inspired by the novels and short stories by Ian Fleming.

The origin story is expected to follow Bond as he sets out on a mission that will give him a licence to kill.

It is the first Bond game since 007 Legends in 2012.

The franchise went on an extended hiatus in 2013 after Aeon Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer revoked the non-exclusive licence to make James Bond video games held by previous publisher Activision.

IO Interactive, known for developing the Hitman and Kane & Lynch franchises, is behind 007 First Light.

Expect a heart-pounding mix of close combat, car chases, secret murders, glamorous locations, gadgets galore, and appearances from M, Q, and Miss Moneypenny.

At The Game Awards 2025, renowned musician Lenny Kravitz was introduced as Bond villain Bawma.

The “unexpected and charismatic” antagonist is described as someone who “rose up from nothing, broke free, and created his own Aleph Empire.”.

The game should whet fans’ appetites ahead of Bond 26 – which Denis Villeneuve is set to direct and will mark a new era of 007 films following the conclusion of Daniel Craig’s performance.

Resident Evil: Requiem

Capcom takes us back to Raccoon City with Resident Evil: Requiem.

The survival horror game is due to be released in February, with the developers promising a “heart-stopping experience that will chill you to the core”.

Fans will be introduced to a new leading lady – FBI intelligence analyst Grace Ashcroft, who is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from the Resident Evil Outbreak games.

Grace’s nightmare begins when she is sent to investigate a mysterious death at an abandoned hotel where her mother was murdered eight years ago.

As Grace investigates the team’s person of interest – Victor Gideon – she crosses paths with veteran Agent Leon S. Kennedy.

The fan favourite returns to the series as a playable character, with both Grace and Leon forced to confront their past to uncover the truth behind the Raccoon City incident that changed the world forever.

The game follows on from Resident Evil Village, with players once again expected to face the coming horrors through combat, puzzle-solving, and resource management.

Previous antagonist Lady Dimitrescu proved to be a hit on social media, so the next relentless stalker monster has big shoes to fill.