Content
Recent Posts
Xbox Shuts Down Reports of Exclusive GTA 6 Streaming Rights
Microsoft has dismissed claims that Xbox secured exclusive cloud streaming rights to Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6), putting an end to speculation that PC players could access the game through Xbox Cloud Gaming. The rumor began spreading after The Verge wrote an article about how Xbox CEO Asha Sharma told employees that Microsoft was working on something involving GTA 6 that competing console makers weren't doing. The publication interpreted those remarks as a possible exclusive cloud streaming agreement, which would have given Xbox a major advantage ahead of the game's November 19 launch.
Content
Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball addressed the rumors on X, saying that excitement surrounding GTA 6 had resulted in misleading claims about Microsoft's plans. He confirmed that GTA 6 remains scheduled to arrive on Xbox on November 19, but denied suggestions that the game would be available exclusively through Microsoft's cloud service or streamed to PC.
His response clarified what players shouldn't expect, but it didn't explain what Sharma was referring to during the reported meeting.
Why did this rumor spread fast?
The rumor gained traction partly because of its timing. Microsoft is preparing to introduce major changes to Xbox Cloud Gaming in November, the same month GTA 6 is scheduled for release. As part of these changes, Xbox Game Pass subscribers will face monthly streaming limits, replacing the unlimited access previously available through the service.
Under the reported new structure, streaming allowances will depend on the subscription tier:
- Game Pass Ultimate: 15 hours per month
- Game Pass Premium: 10 hours per month
- Game Pass Essential: 5 hours per month
Subscribers who exceed their allowance will have the option to purchase more streaming time through the Xbox Store.
Even if the original claims had been true, 15 hours a month with the highest subscription tier would hardly be enough, especially for a massive open-world game like GTA 6. As a player, you'd likely spend at least the first hour experimenting with the game, figuring out which objects are interactive or destructible, exploring dialogue options with NPCs, and getting familiar with the new mechanics.
Microsoft is also planning to offer Xbox Cloud Gaming separately from Game Pass, potentially adding more unnecessary costs for players. The standalone service will let customers purchase blocks of streaming time for supported games they already own, meaning they'll have to pay to access their games through the cloud.
Microsoft has also been experimenting with a free, advertising-supported cloud gaming option, which might not go as well as they think it will.
Despite the rumors, there's still no confirmed way to play GTA 6 on PC at launch. PC players could be waiting another year or more for the game, much like GTA 5, which arrived on PC roughly a year and a half after its initial console release.
For more articles like this, check out our Tech News page!
For gamers who want more freedom to customize their experience with mods and host their own multiplayer servers, Hostinger offers game server hosting services worth checking out.