Microsoft has reached an agreement that will allow GTA 6 to be available through Xbox Cloud Gaming at launch, although the deal is more limited in scope than initial reports suggested. According to The Verge, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma told employees during an internal meeting that the company was preparing something related to Rockstar’s upcoming game that “no other platform holder is doing.” Sources later told the outlet that her comments were referring to streaming rights for the title.

What Does the Exclusive Streaming Deal Mean?

The Verge initially reported that Microsoft had secured exclusive streaming rights for GTA 6, which could have opened the door for the game to be played on PC through the cloud while a native PC version remained unannounced. That interpretation was later corrected following clarification from Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball. According to the executive, the deal is not exclusive, and GTA 6 will not be streamed to PCs.

The correction significantly changes the scope of the original report. The information currently available suggests that the deal specifically involves streaming on Xbox consoles, although the exact details have yet to be disclosed. This also raises questions about whether browsers and apps that normally support Xbox Cloud Gaming will be able to run GTA 6. Based on what is currently known, it therefore cannot be confirmed that players will be able to use the service to play the game on PCs, smartphones, tablets, or TVs.

Even so, GTA 6 coming to Cloud Gaming arrives at an important moment for Microsoft’s streaming strategy. Starting in November, the company will introduce new monthly usage limits for subscribers: Game Pass Ultimate users will receive 15 hours, while Premium and Essential members will get 10 and five hours, respectively. Microsoft is also preparing a pay-as-you-go option, allowing users to purchase additional Cloud Gaming hours instead of relying solely on a recurring subscription.

That last change could be particularly relevant for GTA 6, although it remains to be seen exactly which devices and conditions will support the game through streaming. The Verge’s original report linked the hourly payment model to the possibility of people without an Xbox using other devices to access the title, but the later clarification that GTA 6 will not be streamed to PC considerably narrows the possibilities that were initially suggested.

Last Word on the GTA 6 Streaming Rights

Microsoft has also not revealed how long it will hold the game’s streaming rights or disclosed the full terms of the agreement. The key point confirmed by the correction is therefore much more specific: GTA 6 will be available through Xbox Cloud Gaming at launch, but Microsoft does not have exclusive streaming rights, and the version offered through the service will not be available on PC.