Matthew Ball, Xbox Strategy Director, confirmed that GTA 6 will not be accessible for streaming on PC using the Xbox Cloud Gaming service. Furthermore, he clarified that Microsoft does not hold exclusive rights to stream the game.
This information arose after an article in The Verge suggested that Asha Sharma, Xbox CEO, had mentioned in an internal meeting that the company was planning something exclusive for GTA 6, something other platforms would not have. This claim led to the interpretation that there might be an acquisition of exclusive streaming rights, allowing PC and mobile device users to play the title via Xbox Cloud Gaming, even without a native version for those platforms.
However, Ball refuted this interpretation. In a social media post, the executive informed that Xbox is preparing for the launch of GTA 6 on November 19, but reiterated that the game will not be offered exclusively by streaming nor streamed for personal computers.
The statement keeps open the possibility of GTA 6 being released on other cloud gaming services. Platforms such as Amazon Luna and Nvidia GeForce Now, which do not depend on a console to operate, could be alternatives for PC players if they receive the title.
It is relevant to note that GTA 6 will not have a PC version at the time of its release, and Rockstar Games has not yet announced a date for its arrival on this platform. Another aspect raised in the discussion is Rockstar's history with PC releases; for example, Red Dead Redemption 2 eventually reached streaming services after its initial PC launch, albeit under a different strategy.
The launch of GTA 6 also coincides with a change in the Xbox streaming system. Starting in November, Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will have a monthly limit of 15 hours of streaming, with the option to purchase extra hours. Given the long nature of Rockstar's games, this coincidence raises speculation about Microsoft's plans for the title, although there is no confirmation that the two events are linked.