Microsoft has secured Xbox Cloud Gaming streaming rights for Grand Theft Auto 6, allowing the game to be streamed through the service at launch in November.

The agreement gives Xbox Cloud Gaming an important role in the GTA 6 launch, although the deal is not exclusive and does not extend to PC players.

The timing coincides with major changes to Xbox Cloud Gaming, including a new pay-as-you-go model that will allow players without Game Pass subscriptions to purchase streaming hours.

From November, Game Pass tiers will also have monthly streaming limits, making pay-as-you-go bundles potentially more practical for players expecting longer GTA 6 sessions.

Rockstar Games has still not announced a PC version of GTA 6, while PS5 and Xbox Series X|S remain the confirmed launch platforms.

The deal also fits into Microsoft's broader strategy of making Xbox less dependent on a single piece of hardware, with Project Helix pointing toward a future built around a wider family of devices.

For Microsoft, securing cloud streaming rights for one of the industry's biggest upcoming releases provides another indication of how important cloud gaming could become to the Xbox ecosystem.

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma told staff at an internal town hall that Xbox first-party games have returned to growth after reaching an all-time low.

Sharma said first-party performance has increased to more than two to three times its previous level, although specific figures have not been publicly confirmed.

Earlier this year, Xbox was reportedly seeing declines across hours spent, player counts, and revenue, with Sharma describing the previous Game Pass strategy as contributing to significant financial declines.

The turnaround has followed major changes across Xbox, including extensive layoffs and studio restructuring.

Sharma highlighted Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons 2, and World of Warcraft Forever as titles that have had strong starts.

Xbox has also reportedly seen a 30% increase in positive brand sentiment over the past year, while hours spent on the platform have stabilised.

The company is also reconsidering its Game Pass strategy, with Sharma suggesting the service could become more flexible for different players.

Rather than focusing solely on console hardware, Sharma described Xbox's broader ambition as being "where the world plays," with a long-term target of one billion daily active players.

The recovery is still in its early stages, with studio restructuring and the future of Game Pass yet to fully take shape. The performance of upcoming first-party releases will be an important test of whether Xbox's renewed momentum can continue.

1win’s Counter-Strike 2 team defeated Team Spirit 2-0 at ESL Pro League Season 24, securing a place in the playoffs at Katowice’s Spodek Arena.

The result followed three consecutive wins over G2, Legacy, and Team Spirit, giving 1win a 3-1 record in the group stage after an opening loss to Vitality.

Following the Team Spirit upset, 1win’s owner announced a $100,000 bonus for the team in recognition of the result.

The victory also moved 1win to No. 14 in the Valve Regional Standings, strengthening its position ahead of the upcoming Singapore Major.

Captain Vladislav “nafany” Gorshkov said the team understood the importance of the match and remains focused on its playoff campaign.

The current roster joined 1win in August 2026 and includes nafany, Sergey “Ax1Le” Rykhtorov, Andrey “BELCHONOKK” Yasinskiy, Petr “fame” Bolyshev, and Artem “ArtFr0st” Kharitonov.