It was recently suggested that Grand Theft Auto 6 has partnered with XBOX to launch an exclusive cloud-gaming promotion, making the game streamable only via XBOX Cloud. The game, set to drop on November 19, could offer an all-new way to play on the go, letting users enjoy the title without a home console.
This is per a recent report from The Verge, first of all. It was claimed that Microsoft has secured an XBOX-exclusive game streaming deal with Take-Two and Rockstar. While it hasn’t been officially revealed, it makes sense, and to get ahead of the game, I’m going to help you understand how it might work.
Is GTA 6 Coming to XBOX Game Cloud?
XBOX’s cloud gaming service has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. The overarching stability of the network-driven service has improved immeasurably since the concept surfaced way back in 2020, offering many gamers the ability to play their XBOX titles without being anywhere near an XBOX console.
The latest claim in the gaming space detailed an exclusive partnership between Microsoft, Rockstar Games, and Take-Two Interactive, and, if true, it’s poised to bring Grand Theft Auto 6 to that very cloud platform.
What’s interesting is that XBOX is changing how cloud gaming works in November, right when GTA 6 is set to hit the market. They’re introducing new monthly streaming-hour limits and alternative payment options, which means that, while convenient, it could work out expensive to play GTA 6 via XBOX Cloud.
Is Playing GTA 6 via Cloud a Cheap Method?
In The Verge’s recent report, echoed by Insider Gaming, it was suggested that Microsoft has secured an exclusive streaming partnership for the launch of GTA 6. But it’s not exactly a frugal approach to getting your hands on the game when it launches on November 19.
Right now, you’ll need to part with at least $79.99 to get GTA 6, and $99.99 if you want the sought-after Ultimate Edition. Then, if you want to get on the XBOX Cloud infrastructure, you’ll need a Game Pass subscription, which currently looks like this:
- Essential: $9.99 per month
- Premium: $14.99 per month
- Ultimate: $22.99 per month
But when November comes around, Microsoft is putting in place some cloud gaming limits that will cut down your gaming time availability:
- Essential: 5 hours
- Premium: 10 hours
- Ultimate: 15 hours
That presents a pretty awkward situation.
You’d theoretically buy your game, then, to get the most bang for your buck in cloud gaming time, you’d invest in XBOX Game Pass Ultimate. That’s $102.98 for your first month of GTA 6, capped at around 3.75 hours per week.
Let’s assume GTA 6 is a 100-hour game; that would mean that, under the current plan, you’d need 6.6 weeks of XBOX Game Pass, pushed to the absolute limit, to play the title via XBOX Cloud. That means at the minimum, you’re paying almost $130 to enjoy GTA 6, and that’s before you’ve picked up a suitable game controller to play the game via an eligible platform.
Of course, Microsoft is planning some kind of pay-as-you-go initiative with XBOX Cloud, which means you’ll be able to push your gaming time further from November by simply paying more. It’s funny how that works, right? Coincidence. We just have no idea how much it’s going to cost.
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But This is a Good Thing, Right?
It’s a good thing.
This deal effectively means that you don’t need to invest in a PS5 (the cost of which has basically doubled in recent years) or an XBOX Series console to play the most highly anticipated game ever made.
Theoretically, the XBOX Cloud deal means you could enjoy GTA 6 on any device or platform that accommodates the technology:
- PC
- Mobile
- Tablet
- Smart TV
- Meta Quest headset
- Web browsers
In a way, this makes GTA 6 playable on PC, and that’s not expected to be an official thing for at least a year after release.
Are you going to invest in XBOX Game Pass to get on the cloud for the launch of GTA 6? Watch this space, and we’ll confirm the accuracy of this rumored deal if and when it lands. Be sure to also join us on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that GTA 6 is getting a limited-time Discord promotion, and don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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