Xbox Refutes Claims of Exclusive Streaming Rights for Grand Theft Auto 6
- Xbox denies acquiring exclusive streaming rights for Grand Theft Auto 6.
- CEO Asha Sharma suggested plans unique to the platform, leading to speculation.
- The game is set to launch on Xbox consoles on November 19, 2023, but not exclusively streamed on PC.
Xbox has officially denied reports claiming it secured exclusive game-streaming rights for Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6). The speculation arose from an article on The Verge, which mentioned an all-hands meeting led by CEO Asha Sharma, where she mentioned Xbox’s intention to undertake an initiative “no other platform holder is doing” concerning GTA 6.
This led to the assumption that Xbox could stream GTA 6 exclusively through its Cloud Gaming service, allowing users to access the game on various platforms, including PC, where it will not be available natively.
In response to the report, Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball took to social media, stating that Xbox will not have exclusive streaming rights for GTA 6, nor will the game be available on a PC in this capacity. “While the excitement for GTA 6 and Xbox is great to see,” Ball said, “it has also led to some misreporting. We are looking forward to launching GTA 6 on Xbox November 19, though the game will not be streaming exclusively or to PC.”
However, Ball did not refute the possibility that Xbox could have streaming rights for GTA 6 on its consoles. Should this be the case, Xbox users would need to purchase a copy of GTA 6 and subscribe to Xbox Cloud Gaming in order to stream the game on compatible devices, excluding PCs.
Recent changes to Xbox’s cloud streaming service include capping play-hours for Game Pass members. Since Sharma’s appointment as CEO, users on the Ultimate tier are now limited to 15 hours per month, a significant shift from previous unlimited access.
In November, potentially in line with the GTA 6 release, Xbox is launching its Cloud Gaming service as a standalone option, allowing users to purchase playtime hours to stream their owned games on supported devices, independent of a Game Pass membership.
Additionally, Xbox is exploring various business models for game streaming, currently testing an ad-supported free tier of Cloud Gaming with Xbox Insiders, which may launch in November.
So far, Rockstar has not confirmed any GTA 6 streaming agreements with any platforms, but announcements may surface as the game’s November 19, 2023, release date approaches.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
