Xbox Game Pass is adding a major title to its lineup of games in the form of Grand Theft Auto 5. Rockstar Games has been financially rolling with the latest GTA through constant updates and revenue generated via the game's various online expansions. Because of the constant updates, the game has managed to remain a top seller ever since its release in 2013 on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Since then it has released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, which brought with it a number of visual enhancements that made it well worth the upgrade for existing players.
Conversely, Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass has steadily been building a lineup of games that makes the subscription service a no-brainer for gamers looking to get the most out of their Xbox console. A recent wave of support added The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Untitled Goose Game, much to the delight of gamers subbed to the service. Every first-party title from Xbox Game Studios also gets added to the service at launch, making it a highly desirable option for any Xbox owner. Of course, it was inevitable that more beloved games would be added to the growing archive of Game Pass titles.
Keeping that in mind, Microsoft opted to surprise everyone by confirming that one of the biggest games of the past generation, Grand Theft Auto 5, is coming to Xbox Game Pass beginning today. The news came via a tweet from the official Xbox Game Pass account, which showcased a cute little video that was put together to have some fun with the news. Although, the ability for Microsoft to simply shadowdrop GTA5 on Xbox Game Pass has to make gamers wonder just what else is currently being negotiated for or is planned to arrive on the service in the near future.
Microsoft has aggressively been pushing Game Pass lately and its plans for the service appear to be crystal clear as it is rolled into the company's ongoing games streaming service testing, dubbed xCloud. Game Pass has even come over to PC in the past few months, with rumors emerging that Xbox Game Pass may even be making its way to Nintendo Switch at some point in the near future. All of this is exciting, as Microsoft begins to push its games into a more accessible format across a medley of platforms.
All of this, of course, is unlikely to interfere with plans surrounding Xbox Series X for 2020. The console will be running games catered to the hardware, as well as PC ports of those same titles that further extend to new audiences. All in all, Microsoft appears to have a sound strategy with Xbox Game Pass, support on rival hardware (i.e. Banjo and Kazooie appearing in Smash Bros Ultimate), PC support, and plans for its next-gen console. Now time will tell how quickly consumers jump aboard.
Source: Xbox Game Pass - Twitter