
Last month, we heard that GTA 6 publisher Take-Two believes Rockstar's upcoming epic will help sell Xbox consoles later this year - and now a new Windows Central piece with the help of analyst Rhys Elliot goes into how Microsoft should be looking to take advantage of this with Xbox Series S.
The MIDiA Research rep. talked about Microsoft's plummeting console sales as of late, and how that despite Sony effectively 'winning' the generation with PS5, Xbox could use GTA 6 as "a last hurrah for its Series X|S generation, thanks to the low price of the Series S."
"Like Rockstar’s other flagship titles, GTA 6 will hit PlayStation and Xbox before it hits PC. Therefore, it could pay off for Xbox to have a significant Series S push and fire sale to tie in with GTA 6 — as one last hurrah for this generation. The marketing team should be banging the drum, highlighting that 'the Series S is the most accessible way to play GTA 6.'"
The analyst went on to say that if this fire sale led to a "sub-$200 Series S", that combination "could be an enticing entry point to GTA for cash-strapped consumers, of which there are many, thanks to today’s tumultuous economy and cost-of-living crisis."
However, in the past, Sony has typically held the marketing rights for Grand Theft Auto - a point this article also brings up. Elliot says that despite his sound suggestions about Microsoft really pushing Xbox Series S for this game in particular, he "reckons PlayStation will get the rights" in the end.
Of course, it's worth mentioning that GTA 6 isn't exactly a game that needs much marketing to force its way into the hearts and minds of potential customers. This is a mega-franchise — one of the most mainstream gaming IP in the world — and with the right message, Xbox Series S could be seen as a good way to play GTA 6 regardless of who gets the official marketing rights. Microsoft just needs to actually want to do that.
What should Microsoft's approach look like with GTA 6? Talk to us about it down below.
[source windowscentral.com]
Comments 35
Sorry Xbox, but don’t make me laugh.
They can’t even stock replenish Xbox consoles now in the UK, with jsut some drip feeds coming through.
I think that console ship has almost sunk now let alone a push for series s when GTA 6 arrives.
I’m still baffled by it all especially when they talk next generation Xbox home console and want to increase game pass subscriptions which selling current consoles would be a good way of achieving that, considering the high game pass attachment ratio to Xbox consoles.
So confused by Xbox consoles now.
It seems that PlayStation has a marketing exclusivity deal for GTA 6, doesn’t it?
It would also be highly dependent on how the Series S handles GTA VI, it wouldn't be good if Xbox pushes the Series S as the cheapest way to play GTA VI and boom the Series S version is another "base Xbox Cyberpunk" experience.
Sounds like GTA 6 will push the current gen hard and with 30fps rumoured on the big boys the Series S may struggle.
But it would have to be really bad for that message to get to the mainstream gamer.
I suspect people will still buy a PS5 regardless of what MS do now. I don't think the Series S will be part of the conversation for most people when GTA 6 releases.
They no longer stock the Xbox Series X|S properly outside of the US and no longer have sales.
It is no wonder that there are rumors of withdrawal in some regions.
Of course, Microsoft may be trying to make up for it with the next generation consoles, but the customers who left here may not come back.
For casual gamers who aren’t tied to a particular system and want an affordable option, yes, it makes sense! Besides, the new Xbox consoles are coming soon and will likely coincide with the release of GTA 6.
How about dropping digital series x price to 300?
I personally think MS is leaning towards launching the next generation Xbox console sooner rather then later. MS might launch the next generation of Xbox consoles at the same time GTA 6 launches which is likely to give the next Xbox console a big boost in sales.
@Rodimusprime13
If they do that when GTA 6 releases I will bow down to you. 🤣
@xboxjapanfan
And that’s the issue they are selling less and less consoles by the month and people are turning to PS or even Nintendo.
So now even less people will buy next generation Xbox. It’s a downward spiral, which is why I don’t understand another Xbox home console being released.
Don’t get me wrong a series x with GPU now the games are arriving since late last year is great value and a worthy contender to Sony in my opinion. But Xbox absolutely doesn’t advertise and even run console stock so low shops run out.
@OldGamer999 loool ! people are not turing turning to PS or even Nintendo. To date, the PS5 has sold 2 million fewer units than the PS4, and their sales dropped by 35% compared to last year, despite releasing a mid-generation update that was supposed to boost sales. Let’s not forget that Xbox hasn’t released a mid-generation console, so the comparison isn’t exactly fair. It’s widely known that the entire console market is declining. If there’s one platform that players are gravitating towards, it’s PC! The only markets currently experiencing growth are PC and cloud gaming, and in that area, Xbox has a strong presence!
This generation can't be over! It feels like it barely started!
I don't really see this happening. It would likely not be officially marketing gta6 and series s in a campaign. Something I doubt Rockstar wants to do as it will be the lowest spec version of the game.
Honestly I don't see gta6 making that big of a push for hardware sales. The new consoles are not far away.
Will the series S even be able to play GTA 6? Considering some are saying that the PS5 Pro is just about going to be able to hit 30fps.
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It would be the smart thing to do for relatively cheap considering rockstar makes the game trailers just stick the Xbox s/X at the end and the prices and do a series s bundle!
Hopefully that's why stocks are low everywhere they have a load of GTA bundles built up ready to go but that's probably wishful thinking!
@fatpunkslim GTA 6 will be here well before the new console's!
@fatpunkslim
Probably but when the others have sold roughly 140 million and 75 million it’s not to be sniffed in comparison.
Maybe the whole gaming world is changing and obviously is and it’s not to my old brains liking, when things were simple and even like last generation in the PS4, Xbox one era.
However it’s only really Microsoft that are really changing the landscape or trying to.
We shall see if it all pays off, and if Microsoft fail they can always fall back on being the biggest publisher in the world.
Nintendo slipped up with the Wii U and bounced back.
And Sony have had a terrible GAAS time.
So god only knows what will happen next.
Putting it sub £200 isn’t exactly rare. I gout mine for £180.
But it’s all good and well saying do this/that and we have no idea how the game will actually run.
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@PsBoxSwitchOwner Variety is the spice of life. Some people need to remember these are billion dollar companies, they're not ur friends and they're not above criticism.
@OldGamer999 Whilst MS may want to increase Game Pass Subscription numbers, the Console is just one 'option' - there are more devices that support Game Pass than just the Xbox Console hardware. Yes, the Console may well be the 'best' Hardware option in terms of Graphics/Performance/Latency for the Price point, but its not the only option for Subscribers.
In terms of numbers, Mobile Gamers out-number those on ALL Consoles (inc those still on Last Gen hardware. That's more than Switch, PS4, PS5, XB1 and Series consoles. Streaming though isn't limited to Mobile Phones/Tablets, you can use it to play on Samsung SmartTV's or Amazon Firesticks, non-gaming Laptops/PC's and numerous other devices too - all of which can offer a 'decent' experience at 'minimal/low' cost - much cheaper than buying Hardware.
The vast majority of Gamers are those that probably aren't frequenting Gaming Websites or would notice the difference in Lag/Latency between Streaming and Local Play.
Anyway, Game Pass is not just for Consoles or For Streaming, it's also on PC. Of the 3 main Platforms modern games release on (the Switch currently doesn't get some of the latest games and if they do, they are are scaled right back), Game Pass is available on BOTH. That means they can sell Subs to both PC and Xbox Console users and still SELL games on Playstation at Full Price to maximise earnings/profitability. The 'advantage' on Xbox is Game Pass and its Day 1 offerings that make it the better value option and why they'll sell Game Pass Subscriptions to Xbox, PC and no doubt Cloud too as that expands and the infrastructure improves.
No doubt the Console has a higher percentage of Subscribers, but that is also locked to ONLY Microsoft. Other devices have multiple options - like Steam, Epic or the App store so Microsoft/Game pass has more Competition - but PC Game Pass has seen Growth.
If Game Pass was purely Console based, I'd have to agree that the numbers of Hardware sold would be indicative of the maximum Subscriptions they can sell and the amount of 'growth' would be limited. However, its not limited to 'just' the Console and has 'unlimited' growth potential that can exceed the total number of 'Console' gamers there are.
Of course a 'strong' Xbox Sales number is beneficial - not just to Microsoft, but also the third Party Publishers too. But there are an estimated 3bn gamers and 200m Consoles is about 6-7% of the Gaming Market. Minecraft has over 300m sales now...
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@fatpunkslim I've been playing on xbox since they first arrived. Actually before they released officially in the UK. Because the game store had a Japanese Xbox with Halo months before the release. Had every xbox since, but no I don't like them doing well. 😂 I'm just pointing out u jump down people's throats that have another opinion to u. Go on reddit, u'll see loads of posts of ppl switching from Xbox to Playstation. It does happen and u might not like it. With how great GPU has been since about midway through last year it would make sense for people to be switching to PC or Xbox because it is really worth the money. Though if u use MS rewards u don't really even have to pay for it.
@BAMozzy
You have some very valid points and I agree.
But considering Xbox consoles has the highest attachment rate against billions of other devices as you rightly put then GP itself isn’t setting the subscription world alight really.
I know my take is very very basic, look at your biggest attachment percentage which is Xbox consoles and focus a bit more on that avenue as well, not let it slowly die.
Almost think why don’t they totally leave the console hardware business and do a deal to get GP on PS5 and Switch and have another over 200 million consoles to try and attach gamepass to. That’s got to better than the cost of making Xbox hardware and selling about 30 million consoles only. You gain 170 million consoles 200-30 stopping Xbox consoles and putting game pass on the other 2.
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The majority of gamers are playing gta 6 on ps5/pro. Nobody is playing a lesser version.
@fatpunkslim See what I mean about just jumping on things ppl say. I said there are posts on reddit. I didn't say I believed them, I just said they were there. Maybe they're fake, maybe they're real.
@Dalamar73 It's just facts, though, and it's part of the topic. It's no worse than those who constantly complain about Xbox for reasons that are also quite questionable, especially on an Xbox-focused site. I simply mentioned PlayStation to highlight that they generate less revenue than Xbox, their PSSR was a complete failure, and they produce very few games aside from remakes, in order to emphasize Xbox's advantages in comparison.
It feels like some people only focus on the negatives (like console sales) and forget everything else.
I'm not saying Xbox shouldn't be criticized, especially when it's deserved, but every now and then, it's important to put things into perspective and set the record straight.
@fatpunkslim
I’m not here total to have ago at Xbox though it seems like that sometimes.
I have a series x with GPU until March 2027 on the old UK £11.99 per month, so since the back end of last year with Indy and COD and now Avowed, Atomfall, south of Midnight and Doom all first half of this year. I’m laughing all the way.
Just wish they would do a bit more for their console business which could get them more GP subs and Xbox momentum as a brand.
I’m not against even games going to other consoles and all the cloud promotion and other devices, but just show some PR and love to the Xbox console market as well.
It’s where us original Xbox console owners day one exist and propelled the brand in the first place.
@fatpunkslim why would Sony never allow GP on PS5?
EA Play and Ubisoft+ are already on PS5. Sony would take 30% of GP, a win-win for everybody. Sony will definitely allow it if MS officially quit console market (just like EA & Ubisoft services)
I would say that @fatpunkslim perspective on 'Xbox' consoles are completely Valid and why the Console sales shouldn't be a Factor - they are ONLY suited to a fraction of the entire video gaming market and 'access' to games at a 'reasonable' cost to have a 'local' gaming experience.
As Streaming - as the infrastructure and performance will improve - has growing numbers using 'Cloud' services (even if 'supplementing' their gaming experience), this will likely see Game Pass Growth long term and PC will too - even with a potential Xbox/Windows PC Hybrid Coming soon, maybe! The Xbox Console was always a 'PC optimised for Gaming in a 'locked' Console platform format' and now with handheld PC's for Console Prices available and Competing (another Game Pass Device btw) for Console Sales with Switch/Steam Deck too of course...
Point is, Respectable Sales - as 30-60m is, is 'meaningless'. Even if 100% Subscribe to Game Pass, Growth there is 'limited' compared to PC and Cloud enabled devices that are becoming cheaper and more capable at a faster rate than the Console Market can keep up with. Sony relies on 'Exclusivity' to make you buy their hardware, MS is more concerned about reach, growth and Games.
Xbox Consoles will still sell as it will be the 'best' place to play ALL those Xbox Games - many of which may release First and certainly will be on Game Pass - the ONLY console to offer that!
CoD, Elder Scrolls, Doom, Fallout, WoW, and all the other IP's owned by MS will ALL be on Xbox and in Game Pass, will all be marketed and sold as Xbox games with some 'coming' to PS too in the small print. You can 'play' on Playstation, but it will cost and if it's Online, will require a MS/Acti/Blizz/Bethesda Acct (all owned by MS)...
I'm not convinced they are even manufacturing Series consoles anymore nevermind launching a marketing campaign.
Not a bad perspective (I believe a few here called this months ago).
Actually having stock of your consoles available to buy would be a good place to start. I can only find XSX in stock at Very, all the biggest retailers including Microsoft itself are completely out of stock. We’re well clear of Christmas now, that can’t be a viable excuse anymore when Sony has no trouble keeping PlayStation in stock.
And I realise if my XSX suddenly dies for whatever reason I really might genuinely struggle to find a replacement, which is kinda insane.
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