Grand Theft Auto VI is set to arrive on Xbox Cloud Gaming at its launch on November 19. This release strategy ensures that the title will be playable on both current-generation consoles, specifically the Xbox Series X and Series S, as well as the previous generation Xbox One. The inclusion of the older hardware marks a significant accessibility move for the franchise, allowing a broader audience to experience the game without needing the latest equipment.
Xbox announced on Tuesday that Grand Theft Auto VI has become the most pre-ordered title in the history of the Microsoft Store. The company has encouraged players to begin pre-loading the game as soon as possible to ensure they are fully prepared for launch day. This early preparation is particularly important given the substantial file size and download times associated with the title.
The game requires a massive amount of storage space, totaling 210 gigabytes. Consequently, downloading the full installation can take at least ten hours. For many players, this large footprint means they will need to delete several other games from their library to make room. While players do not lose ownership of deleted titles, they will be required to re-install those games if they wish to play them again in the future.
For those who lack the necessary storage capacity, Xbox Cloud Gaming offers an alternative. The service allows users to play the game on day one starting at 1 a.m. Eastern Time. When streamed via the cloud, the game utilizes the graphics settings found on the Xbox Series S. This means that while cloud play removes the need for local storage, players with an Xbox Series X will still achieve the highest visual fidelity by downloading the game natively to their console.
Accessing the game through cloud play does not remove the need to purchase the title. Players must still buy Grand Theft Auto VI to stream it away from their primary console. Rockstar Games stated on Tuesday that the game will run at 30 frames per second on both Xbox and PlayStation consoles. This performance metric applies to the standard console experience across the supported platforms.
PlayStation players currently do not have the option to stream the game via cloud play. However, the PlayStation 5 Pro continues to offer the single best playing experience for the title. This is attributed to the console's use of PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution and ray-traced shadows. While the lack of a cloud option is a limitation for some, the high-end console provides superior visual quality for those who own it.
Xbox has provided a clear guide for players regarding how and when they can access the game. The Xbox Series X allows for native play with the best console experience, and pre-installation is available now. The Xbox Series S offers the most affordable way to play the game natively, with pre-installation also available. The Xbox One will not support native play but will allow users to stream Grand Theft Auto VI through Xbox Cloud Gaming.
To play the game, users must own one of these three specific devices. Smart TVs, web browsers, and streaming sticks like the Amazon Fire TV Stick will not support the game at launch. Looking ahead, Xbox noted that other major Rockstar titles, including Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2, are scheduled to arrive on Xbox Cloud Gaming in the coming months.
Starting Wednesday, players in 29 supported markets can purchase cloud playtime to stream supported games without needing a Game Pass subscription. Xbox has outlined specific pricing tiers for this service. Ten hours of playtime costs $3.99, while 25 hours are available for $7.99. For those seeking more extensive access, 50 hours of playtime is priced at $11.99.
