Take-Two Explains Why GTA 6 Skips Game Pass and PS Plus

Take-Two Interactive, the publisher behind Grand Theft Auto 6 and parent company of Rockstar Games, has revealed why its games rarely appear on subscription platforms like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus. During an August 2025 earnings call, company president Karl Slatoff explained that Take-Two occasionally adds titles to these services but only under specific circumstances. Slatoff stated, “We do put our titles occasionally into some of the subscription services… we wouldn’t do it unless it were a good economic deal.”

Subscription services have sparked debate in the gaming industry since the 2010s. Smaller publishers embraced them early, while major companies stayed cautious or built their own models. Take-Two has pursued both strategies, joining third-party libraries and launching its own service, GTA+. Slatoff stressed the company isn’t resistant to subscriptions, but weighs each deal on financial performance.

Examples of this approach include Grand Theft Auto 5 being added to Xbox Game Pass in April 2025, since it was the fourth time in six years the title had appeared on the service. Slatoff explained that decisions of this kind are driven by economics. He also said that Sony and Microsoft would not be paying to add third-party titles unless those deals were financially viable for them as well.

In addition to subscription activity, GTA 6 has drawn attention from gambling and betting outlets. Following Rockstar’s announcement of a May 26, 2026, release date, betting markets began offering odds on its timing and price. According to reports, odds of 1 / 2 have been placed on the game releasing before the end of June 2026, while odds of 2 / 1 suggest the possibility of a delay. Wagers on pricing predict a launch cost most likely between $80 and $89, with $90 to $99 offered at longer odds and a release above $100 listed at 5 / 1. Game-related speculation has also included design features. One report described potential money-laundering mechanics inside GTA 6, including the use of casino chips and high-stakes gambling, expanding on systems previously present in the series.

Take-Two’s position on day-one launches on subscription platforms has not changed since the early 2020s. The company has consistently stated that new games will not release on Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus at launch. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two, has said that releasing high-profile games like GTA 6 on a subscription service on day one does not make sense for the company’s goals. He also mentioned that such a decision would not be sustainable for Take-Two’s profit expectations.

During the August 2025 call, Slatoff also addressed NBA 2K’s availability on PlayStation Plus. He said subscription services “obviously” increase engagement and generate income. However, when asked about NBA 2K’s reported “exceptional growth,” he clarified that PlayStation Plus was not a meaningful factor in that performance.

In the company’s Q1 2026 earnings call, reported by The Motley Fool, Slatoff described PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass as “great partners.” He said Take-Two brings games to those platforms only when “the math makes sense.” Zelnick added that the U.S. economy is not “booming or busting,” but consumers still spend on entertainment, becoming more selective and prioritizing quality.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick described Grand Theft Auto 6 as “arguably the most anticipated release in entertainment history.” He explained that Take-Two remains cautious despite high expectations, saying the company “runs scared” and never assumes success, though he expressed strong confidence in GTA 6’s performance.

The publisher continues its selective strategy toward game subscription platforms, choosing them only when financially worthwhile. While GTA 5 and NBA 2K have appeared on Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, major new titles like GTA 6 won’t launch on those services.