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Xbox has secured exclusive GTA 6 streaming rights
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- DeepHorus
Xbox has struck a deal to stream Grand Theft Auto VI through Xbox Cloud Gaming when the highly anticipated title launches in November, marking a significant move in the console platform wars. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed the plans during an employee all-hands meeting, telling staff that Microsoft is preparing to do something around GTA VI that "no other platform holder is doing." Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Sharma's teaser referred to securing game streaming rights for Rockstar Games' blockbuster sequel. The announcement positions Xbox Cloud Gaming as a key differentiator ahead of what is expected to be one of the biggest entertainment launches in history.
The streaming rights will take effect in November, the same month Microsoft is opening up broader access to Xbox Cloud Gaming and when GTA VI is scheduled to release. Rockstar Games has not yet announced a PC version of the game, making a streaming option particularly valuable for players without access to current-generation consoles. A streaming deal would also theoretically allow Microsoft to market its cloud service to PC gamers who would otherwise need an Xbox Series X/S or PlayStation 5 to play the title. The agreement's duration, however, remains unclear.
The deal's scope drew clarification after The Verge originally reported it as exclusive. Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball took to X to state that Microsoft will not be streaming GTA VI exclusively, nor will the game be streamed to PCs. This suggests the arrangement applies solely to Xbox console streaming, potentially meaning the web browsers and apps that typically access Xbox Cloud Gaming will be unable to stream the game. The correction was formally issued on October 6th.
The timing aligns with major changes Microsoft is making to its cloud gaming service. Beginning in November, streaming hours will be capped at 15 hours for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, 10 hours for Premium subscribers, and just five hours for Game Pass Essential members. Microsoft is also launching a pay-as-you-go streaming option next month, removing the requirement for a Game Pass subscription entirely. This pay-per-hour model appears strategically timed for GTA VI, enabling those without an Xbox console or who primarily play on mobile devices to purchase hour bundles and stream the game.
During the same all-hands meeting, Sharma provided updates on Project Helix, the next generation of Xbox hardware. She described Helix as a "family of devices" and announced that Microsoft will partner with other companies on some of those products. Sharma first used the phrase in an interview last month, following Microsoft and AMD's strategic multi-year partnership announced last year to collaborate on a portfolio of devices, including the next-generation Xbox console. The dual announcements signal Microsoft's broader strategy of expanding Xbox's reach beyond traditional hardware boundaries.
