Microsoft and Take-Two Interactive have entered a new 10-year strategic partnership, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced on November 10, 2026. The agreement begins with Grand Theft Auto VI becoming available through Xbox Cloud Gaming at launch, allowing Xbox One owners to play Rockstar Games’ upcoming title without upgrading to an Xbox Series X or Series S. Microsoft has not disclosed the partnership’s broader terms or confirmed which other Take-Two franchises might benefit from the arrangement.
Sharma revealed the agreement in a post on X, describing GTA 6’s cloud gaming launch as the first step in the long-term partnership. She also confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI has become the most preordered game in Microsoft Store history.
The announcement establishes a longer-term relationship between Xbox and Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar Games, 2K and Zynga. However, Sharma did not specify whether the agreement includes additional distribution arrangements, future game releases or other commercial commitments beyond those already announced.
The first confirmed development under the partnership is GTA 6's availability on Xbox One through cloud gaming. Microsoft confirmed that streaming will begin on November 19 at 1 AM Eastern Time, coinciding with the game’s release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Xbox One players will be able to access GTA 6 through Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure rather than running the game natively. Xbox Series X and Series S owners can also use the streaming service, although Microsoft recommends native installation for the highest-fidelity Xbox console experience.
According to the official Xbox Wire announcement, cloud-streamed versions of GTA 6 will use Xbox Series S graphics settings regardless of the console receiving the stream. Rockstar Games has also cautioned that internet connection speeds and other technical factors can affect cloud gaming performance.
Microsoft’s cloud gaming plans extend beyond GTA 6. Xbox has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto V, Red Dead Redemption 2 and additional Rockstar Games titles will join Xbox Cloud Gaming in the coming months. The company has not provided specific availability dates for those additions.
Xbox is also expanding its cloud gaming purchasing options. Beginning November 11, players in supported markets will be able to purchase cloud playtime for supported games without requiring a Game Pass subscription. GTA 6 must still be purchased separately, and cloud availability, purchasing options and account eligibility vary by market and device.
The announcement follows record-breaking GTA 6 preorders across PlayStation and Xbox, with both platform holders confirming that Rockstar’s upcoming release has established new digital preorder records.
Although GTA 6 represents the partnership’s first publicly identified initiative, the 10-year agreement raises questions about how Microsoft and Take-Two intend to cooperate beyond the game’s launch. Take-Two’s publishing portfolio includes major franchises outside Rockstar Games, but neither company has announced plans to bring those franchises to Xbox Cloud Gaming under the new arrangement.
There is also no confirmation that the partnership includes Xbox Game Pass releases, exclusive content, additional platform support or changes to Take-Two’s existing publishing strategy. The announcement should not be interpreted as confirmation of any such plans.
For now, the confirmed benefits are GTA 6 cloud access on supported Xbox consoles and Microsoft’s stated intention to expand its cloud catalog with more Rockstar Games titles. Further details about the scope of the 10-year partnership remain undisclosed.
