Grand Theft Auto VI launches on November 19, and Xbox One owners will be able to play it on day one by streaming it through Xbox Cloud Gaming, starting at 1am ET. Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S players get the game natively, and pre-install is already open.

Microsoft says the game is the most pre-ordered title of all time on the Microsoft Store. Because of that demand, Team Xbox is asking everyone to begin pre-loading as early as possible so the game is ready when launch day arrives. Rockstar Games is the studio behind the series, and the game must be purchased separately.

How do you play Grand Theft Auto VI on each Xbox console?

Each console takes a different route, and Xbox describes them in three lines:

  • Xbox Series X: play natively, which Xbox calls the best console experience. Pre-install is available now.
  • Xbox Series S: play natively on the most affordable way to run the game on Xbox. Pre-install is available now.
  • Xbox One: stream the game through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Streaming opens at 1am ET on November 19.

Xbox also notes that the game uses Xbox Series S graphics settings when it is streamed through Xbox Cloud Gaming. In plain terms, an Xbox One owner who streams should expect the Series S level of visuals, not the Series X level.

Do you need Game Pass to stream it?

Not necessarily. Starting November 11, players in supported markets can buy cloud playtime to stream supported games without a Game Pass subscription. That is a change worth noting for anyone who owns an Xbox One and has never subscribed.

The game itself is not part of any subscription. Xbox states that Grand Theft Auto VI must be purchased separately, and the pre-order is open on the Microsoft Store.

Cloud gaming availability, purchasing options, supported devices, account eligibility and features vary by market and device, according to Xbox. Check the Xbox Wire post and your own console’s store page for what applies where you live.

What is coming next from Rockstar on Xbox Cloud Gaming?

Xbox says more Rockstar Games titles are on the way to Xbox Cloud Gaming in the coming months, including Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2. No dates were given for those, so treat them as planned rather than scheduled.

What is the situation on PlayStation 5?

Sony has made a similar move on its side. The PlayStation Blog says Grand Theft Auto VI is now the most pre-ordered game in the history of PlayStation Store, and that pre-loading opened on November 10, nine days before launch.

PlayStation also describes a rolling midnight launch by country. It begins at 12:00AM NZDT in New Zealand and moves across the globe as each country reaches midnight on November 19. The Xbox cloud start time, by contrast, is stated as 1am ET.

On PS5, Sony says the game uses DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, Tempest 3D Audio, and the console’s SSD for faster load times. PS5 Pro adds PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution and ray-traced shadows, according to the PlayStation Blog.

Prices

Neither the Xbox Wire post nor the PlayStation Blog post lists a price for the standard game in the text we read. Pricing and edition details sit on the Microsoft Store and PlayStation Store pages, so check your own region’s store for the amount in your currency. No price is quoted here because none is given in the sources.

Who it suits

Xbox Series X owners. You get the native version and the pre-install is open now, so the main job is freeing storage and starting the download before the rush.

Xbox Series S owners. You also play natively, and the cloud version uses the same Series S graphics settings, so the visuals match either way.

Xbox One owners. Streaming is your route, and it starts at 1am ET on November 19. You need a stable connection and a way to pay for cloud playtime if you do not have Game Pass.

Who should wait. If you are unsure about streaming on a weak connection, or you want the Series X level of visuals, the native consoles are the better fit, and you can decide after launch day.

What is still unknown?

The sources do not say how large the download is, how much cloud playtime costs, or which markets are supported for the new cloud playtime purchase. Xbox says availability varies by market and device. Those details should appear on the store pages as launch approaches.

What to do next

If you own a Series X or Series S, open the Microsoft Store, check that your pre-order is registered and start the pre-install. If you plan to stream on Xbox One, watch for the cloud playtime option from November 11 and set a reminder for 1am ET on November 19.