Update: Xbox’s Chief Strategy Office, Matthew Ball, responded to the report with the following: “We are looking forward to launching GTA VI on XBOX November 19, though the game will not be streaming exclusively or to PC.” Make what you will of that confusing statement.
Xbox has reportedly secured the exclusive game streaming rights for Grand Theft Auto VI, which would make Xbox Cloud Gaming the only service able to stream the game at launch. The Verge reported the deal on October 7, citing sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans.
It is not clear how long the agreement lasts. Neither Microsoft nor Rockstar Games has announced the deal as of writing.
According to Tom Warren, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma told employees at an all-hands meeting that Microsoft is getting ready to do “something” around Grand Theft Auto VI that “no other platform holder is doing.” Sources then told The Verge that Xbox landed a deal for the exclusive streaming rights.
Rockstar has still not announced a PC version of the game. The deal would let Xbox offer Xbox Cloud to PC players who would otherwise need an Xbox Series X|S or a PS5 to play. Since Xbox Cloud offers a “Stream Your Own Game” feature, users can purchase the game along with cloud hours, and enjoy it as they see fit.
The timing with Xbox Cloud changes
The news lands weeks after Microsoft announced changes to Xbox Cloud Gaming. From November, Game Pass plans will include a fixed number of cloud hours per month: 15 for Game Pass Ultimate, 10 for Premium and 5 for Essential. Microsoft says it expects the change to affect 4% of Game Pass subscribers. Once the included hours run out, players will be able to buy more through the Xbox Store. That includes players that don’t have an active Game Pass subscription.
That matters for GTA VI. The game is set to launch in November, the same month the new hour limits and pay-as-you-go option start. Players without an Xbox, or who mainly play on a handheld or PC, could stream the game by paying for hours. We have covered the new limits before in our report on the 15-hour Ultimate cap and asked whether 5, 10 or 15 hours of Xbox Cloud is enough. For now, some Game Pass subscribers will keep unlimited cloud gaming.
We will update this story when Microsoft or Rockstar comment.
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