Grand Theft Auto VI preloading is now available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with Rockstar confirming that players will need up to 212 GB of storage space ahead of the November 19 launch. Microsoft has also announced that the highly anticipated game will be playable through Xbox Cloud Gaming on launch day, including on Xbox One.
The announcements arrive as Rockstar ramps up its already considerable marketing campaign, with a real-life Vice City takeover at London’s Selfridges and a dedicated music festival planned for Miami.
GTA 6 Preloading Begins as Xbox Cloud Gaming Adds Day-One Support
Rockstar confirmed on November 10 that digital preloading is now available for everyone who has pre-ordered Grand Theft Auto VI. Players who purchased the code-in-box physical edition can also activate their codes and begin downloading the game once received.
The preloading schedule began at midnight local time on November 10 for PS5, while Xbox Series X/S downloads became available globally at 12 a.m. GMT. According to Rockstar’s official pre-load FAQ, the installation requires up to 212 GB of available storage, depending on the device.
Microsoft has also confirmed that GTA VI will support Xbox Cloud Gaming from November 19 at 1 a.m. ET. This means Xbox One owners will be able to play the game through streaming despite the console not receiving a native version. Xbox Series X/S owners can choose between installing the game locally or streaming it through the cloud.
There’s an important caveat for anyone expecting GTA VI to arrive as a free Game Pass addition. The game must be purchased separately, even when played through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Game Pass subscribers with eligible cloud access can stream their purchased copy, subject to their plan’s cloud gaming allowance. Alternatively, Microsoft is introducing the ability to purchase cloud playtime without a Game Pass subscription in supported markets, starting November 11.
Cloud-streamed versions will use Xbox Series S graphics settings, regardless of whether players access them through an Xbox One or Series X/S. Microsoft has also confirmed that Grand Theft Auto V, Red Dead Redemption 2 and additional Rockstar titles will be added to Xbox Cloud Gaming in the coming months.
Rockstar Steps Up GTA 6 Marketing With Selfridges Takeover and Miami Festival
Given that Microsoft describes GTA VI as the most pre-ordered game of all time on its store, Rockstar arguably doesn’t need to do much more to convince people to pick it up. Nevertheless, the publisher is building a substantial launch campaign around the November 19 release, extending the experience well beyond traditional trailers and advertisements.
In London, Selfridges has transformed its Corner Shop into a Vice City-inspired retail experience running from November 9 to November 28. The installation includes a reproduction of the in-game Grotti Cheetah sports car, a 10-foot Macca the Gator display, and artwork inspired by Vice City’s distinctive architecture.
More than 50 exclusive items are available, including GTA VI clothing, basketballs, beach towels, jackets and accessories. There’s also a limited-edition collector’s box, the Grand Theft Auto VI: The Goodtime State – Vice City Collection, which Selfridges will exclusively stock among physical retailers in the UK. Selected merchandise will also be available through its Birmingham and Manchester stores and online.
Rockstar is taking things considerably further in Miami with Grand Theft Auto VI: The Festival, a November 21 event presented in partnership with PlayStation at Mana Wynwood. The two-stage music festival will celebrate the game’s soundtrack and the sounds of Vice City and Leonida, featuring performances from Travis Scott, Cardi B, Metro Boomin, Justice, Tainy, Don Toliver and several others.
The festival takes place just two days after the game’s release, effectively extending the launch celebrations beyond November 19. Ticket access is being handled through a lottery and limited distribution system, with a waitlist available through the official festival website.
Between the record-breaking pre-orders, a dedicated retail takeover and an international music event, Rockstar is treating GTA VI’s arrival as considerably more than a conventional game launch. With preloading already underway, the final countdown to Leonida has officially begun.
Leave a Reply