These days, gaming is accessible on many devices, and GTA 6, coming out in 2025, is no different.
Take2-Interactive, the company behind GTA, announced that GTA 6 will be playable on console devices like PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
But for Windows PC, it’s not confirmed yet. Many players are curious if GTA 6 will let people play together across different platforms.
So, the big question is: Will GTA 6 be cross-platform?
Which Platforms Does GTA 6 Support?
According to Take2-Interactive, GTA 6 is confirmed to be playable on console devices like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
There’s been discussion about why Rockstar might be delaying the release of GTA 6 on the Windows platform. Technical issues and sales factors are cited as reasons for this delay.
A former Rockstar developer mentioned that releasing the game earlier on PC could lead to problems with hackers and modders changing the core gaming experience. In other words, Rockstar wants to protect the main gaming experience they planned for players.
While we can’t say for sure if Rockstar will release GTA 6 on Microsoft Windows, it’s likely part of their strategy. The delays in the PC release suggest that GTA 6 will eventually be available on PC.
Will GTA 6 Be Cross-Platform?
With a vast player base of 892 million on PCs and 629 million on consoles in 2023, according to Newzoo, it makes a lot of sense for Rockstar to release their game on Windows PC, even if it’s a bit later than on console devices.
Given the significant number of players on both platforms, there’s a high likelihood that GTA 6 will be cross-platform. This means players from different platforms could potentially play together, enhancing the gaming experience for everyone.
For those wondering, “cross-play” means that players on different gaming platforms, like PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, can play together in the same game session.
While GTA 5 is available on various platforms, it doesn’t support cross-play. This is because of a few reasons:
- Technical issues: Each platform uses different coding, making it challenging to ensure the game works the same way on all platforms.
- Profit considerations: Platform companies may have exclusive deals with game developers, making cross-play financially tricky.
- Concerns about spending: They might worry about players spending money on one platform and then using it on another.
- Regulations: Each platform has its own rules about game functionality and safety, complicating cross-play implementation.
- For GTA Online specifically, many players believe that allowing cross-play between console and PC could cause issues. PC gamers might use mods that give them an advantage, which could be unfair to console players.
While Rockstar hasn’t said anything about whether GTA 6 will have cross-play, it’s something players are eager for. But for now, we’ll have to wait and see if this dream becomes a reality.
Why Cross-Platform Might Not Work Out Too Well?
There are several reasons why most video games, including GTA Online, don’t offer cross-platform play.
Firstly, there’s a noticeable difference in gameplay between console players and PC users. PC players often have better accuracy and performance with a keyboard and mouse, putting console players at a disadvantage in competitive scenarios.
Additionally, each gaming platform operates differently and offers varying performance levels. This diversity could lead to inconsistencies in gameplay experiences across platforms, making cross-play challenging to implement effectively.
Furthermore, it’s expected that GTA 6 won’t be available on older-generation consoles and may not run smoothly on lower to mid-tier PCs. This would result in players having different gaming experiences depending on their device specifications, potentially causing issues during cross-platform play.
Considering these factors, it makes sense for developers not to implement cross-play rather than struggle with the numerous technical and gameplay-related challenges it could pose.
