Grand Theft Auto 6 is almost here, but don’t expect it to have exceptionally smooth gameplay. Developer Rockstar Games has confirmed that GTA 6 will be capped at rendering only 30 frames per second when it launches on Nov. 19.
Rockstar cites hardware limitations on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S as the reason for the restriction. “Grand Theft Auto VI has been fully developed from the ground up to provide the best possible experience for the current generation of consoles, targeting 30 frames per second while pushing both platforms to their absolute limits to bring the vast and rich world of Leonida to life — while maintaining the density and visual fidelity of all its environments and inhabitants,” it says.
It’s not really a surprise considering both of the current-gen consoles were released in late 2020. Still, Rockstar says owners of the newer PlayStation 5 Pro can expect better graphics thanks to its more powerful processing and AI upscaling tech, offering “breathtaking visuals, with improved clarity through PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) and ray-traced shadows.”
Rockstar adds: “Grand Theft Auto VI for PS5 includes high-fidelity haptic feedback fully integrated across the game on DualSense controllers and adjustable via accessibility settings, improved spatial audio rendering so all in-game sounds take full advantage of Tempest 3D Audio, and improved load times, making Grand Theft Auto VI play best on PlayStation 5 consoles.”
The developer released these details as preloading for the digital edition of GTA 6 kicks off today, since it requires up to 212GB of storage. The game is launching on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, though Rockstar may be eyeing a PC release in Q1. If so, we expect the PC version to let gamers run GTA 6 at higher frame rates, possibly for a better visual experience.
Cloud Streaming for GTA 6?
On the Xbox side, Rockstar confirmed that GTA 6 will be available to stream via Xbox’s cloud gaming service. However, it notes that streaming will only work on “Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, utilizing Xbox Series S graphics settings,” meaning it won’t work on PCs or smart TVs. The statement echoes what Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball tweeted last month: “We are looking forward to launching GTAVI on XBOX November 19, though the game will not be streaming exclusively or to PC.”
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Still, that gives owners of the older Xbox One, which launched in 2013, a way to enjoy GTA 6 without buying a new console. Due to the ongoing memory shortage, pricing for the current-gen Xbox Series X and S models has ballooned from $499 to as high as $799.
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Microsoft also confirmed that cloud gaming will be available for the consoles starting at 1 a.m. ET on Nov. 19. The company sells paid Game Pass subscriptions to access the cloud gaming service, but starting tomorrow, “players in supported markets can buy cloud playtime to stream supported games without a Game Pass subscription,” Microsoft says.
Rockstar adds that “GTAVI will also fully support Remote Play on PlayStation and Xbox.” That means PlayStation owners can locally stream the game from a PS5 console to their phone, PC, or PlayStation Portal handheld. But it doesn’t look like GTA 6 is coming to PlayStation’s cloud streaming service yet, meaning you can’t stream from a Portal as a standalone option for now.
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I’ve been a journalist for over 15 years. I got my start as a schools and cities reporter in Kansas City and joined PCMag in 2017, where I cover satellite internet services, cybersecurity, PC hardware, and more. I’m currently based in San Francisco, but previously spent over five years in China, covering the country’s technology sector.
Since 2020, I’ve covered the launch and explosive growth of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, writing 600+ stories on availability and feature launches, but also the regulatory battles over the expansion of satellite constellations, fights with rival providers like AST SpaceMobile and Amazon, and the effort to expand into satellite-based mobile service. I’ve combed through FCC filings for the latest news and driven to remote corners of California to test Starlink’s cellular service.
I also cover cyber threats, from ransomware gangs to the emergence of AI-based malware. In 2024 and 2025, the FTC forced Avast to pay consumers $16.5 million for secretly harvesting and selling their personal information to third-party clients, as revealed in my joint investigation with Motherboard.
I also cover the PC graphics card market. Pandemic-era shortages led me to camp out in front of a Best Buy to get an RTX 3000. I’m now following how the AI-driven memory shortage is impacting the entire consumer electronics market. I’m always eager to learn more, so please jump in the comments with feedback and send me tips.
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