GTA 6 hasn’t even been released yet, and Microsoft already has a major card to play in the fight for players’ attention. Xbox has reached an agreement with Rockstar Games to secure the exclusive streaming rights to Grand Theft Auto VI, making Xbox Cloud Gaming the only platform where it will be possible to play the game via the cloud.
The news is especially interesting because GTA 6 will arrive on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, but you won’t need to install it to play via streaming. There’s one catch: you’ll have to buy the game, since GTA 6 won’t be included in Game Pass as part of this deal.
GTA 6 will also be playable in the cloud
Microsoft’s offer is pretty simple: buy GTA 6 and use Xbox Cloud Gaming to play it on compatible devices, including Xbox, PC, phones, and tablets.
But there’s an important catch. Xbox is preparing a new monthly usage limit system for cloud gaming. Depending on their Game Pass plan, users will get between 5 and 15 hours per month included, and those who need more time will be able to buy additional hours.
This changes things quite a bit. Because yes, being able to play GTA 6 on a phone or PC without installing dozens of gigabytes sounds incredible. But if you want to lose yourself in Vice City for hours, you’ll probably have to pay more.
Xbox wants to make GTA 6 a major boost for cloud gaming
Here’s what’s really interesting about the strategy.
Microsoft didn’t secure the marketing rights for GTA 6 that PlayStation has, but it did manage to secure a different advantage: exclusive streaming.
And with GTA 6 being one of the most anticipated releases of this generation, Xbox has a huge opportunity to show that cloud gaming can be a real alternative to buying a console.
That said, Microsoft has clarified that the deal was misinterpreted: GTA 6 won’t be playable via Xbox Cloud Gaming on PC, despite the initial reports.
In the end, it’s a very Xbox move: if you can’t win the traditional marketing battle, try to win the battle for access.
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