Xbox Secures Exclusive GTA VI Streaming Rights

Xbox has reportedly secured the exclusive streaming rights for Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI), according to The Verge. The deal means that Xbox Cloud Gaming will be the only service where players can stream GTA VI when it launches. Cloud gaming allows players to run games on remote servers and stream them over the internet, rather than on a console or PC.

The news came after an internal meeting where Xbox CEO Asha Sharma hinted at an upcoming move involving GTA VI that would be unique in the industry. However, the duration of this exclusivity remains unclear.

Rockstar Games has not yet announced a PC version of GTA VI, which would otherwise require players to own an Xbox Series X|S or PlayStation 5 to play. The streaming deal provides Microsoft with a way to attract PC gamers to Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Additionally, Xbox is introducing monthly cloud gaming limits starting in November. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will get 15 hours, Premium subscribers 10 hours, and Essential subscribers 5 hours. Xbox explained that the change is necessary to manage the rising costs of cloud gaming while maintaining service reliability.

Microsoft will also allow players without a Game Pass subscription to access Xbox Cloud Gaming through a pay-as-you-go model starting in November. This option will let players who own GTA VI but do not have an Xbox stream the game by purchasing hours of playtime.

Sharma also shared more details about Project Helix, Microsoft's next-generation Xbox hardware. She described Helix as a 'family of devices' that Microsoft will develop in partnership with other companies.