GTA 6's console-only launch reminds me of how much I despise console exclusivity - is it worth waiting years for PC ports?

Image of GTA 6 protagonists and PS5
(Image credit: Rockstar Games/Sony)

We're edging closer to finally welcoming the arrival of arguably the most anticipated game of all time, Grand Theft Auto 6, which will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S sometime in late 2025, but there's one big problem I have.

Just like many other big AAA titles, it won't be making its way to PC at launch - and probably won't for quite a while, reminding me once again of just how much I dislike console exclusivity as a PC gamer.

I made it clear in a previous article that waiting for a title like GTA 6 with PC as my primary platform is painful. I do indeed have the opportunity to buy it on my PS5 first and play on PC later down the line, but it's not an easy choice when the PC port will more than likely be the superior product - it also doesn't help that there are discussions that the game will cost more than the already egregious $70 / £70 / around AU$110 industry-standard asking price (don't even get me started on that).

Now, I must highlight a key difference - exclusivity for first-party Sony games (while still very annoying) is a bit more reasonable, especially since many of them have made their way to PC recently and will continue to do so. However, timed exclusivity - particularly in this case, since Rockstar Games is not owned by a console manufacturer like Sony or Microsoft - is downright infuriating.

PC ports may need extra time to be optimized, but that's not always the case...

A screenshot of the male main character from the first Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

PC ports of console games do need extra time to optimize, and while I'm fully aware of that (especially with all the dreadful recent ports), there are multiple games that launch on both PC and console on the same date and are well-optimized.

A prime example of this is the recent launch of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 from Warhorse Studios - now before I am hunted down for using this as a reference, I am very cognizant that Rockstar Games' standard when it comes to open-world games is far above most other developers in terms of scale, so it will take extra time for attention to detail. But Warhorse's title has launched on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC simultaneously, and is currently being lauded for its immersive open-world experience, along with great optimization and hardly any performance issues.

By this metric, games like GTA 6 should only launch once it's ready for all platforms instead of consoles alone - yes, that means even if it has to be delayed for optimization sake, but I beg to differ that this is the reason why it won't come to PC day one.

I fully believe that Rockstar's blockbuster titles could be released on consoles and PC on the same date if its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, sanctioned it - but a staggered release will tempt PC players like myself to buy the game on console from fear of missing out, and then potentially wait more than a year to buy it again on the desired platform.

This is the strategy Take-Two Interactive has adopted for years, dating back to GTA 4's PC launch several months after consoles - it's obvious that this will boost sales, and it reiterates the reasons of why I hate console exclusivity (I'm looking at you Sony).

Timed exclusives need to be eliminated, for good

Living room with Microsoft Xbox Series X (L) and Sony PlayStation 5 home video game consoles alongside a television and soundbar, taken on November 3, 2020.

(Image credit: Phil Barker/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Microsoft's new approach is that gamers should be able to play all games regardless of the platform - we've seen Xbox games announced for PS5 recently (with a large majority already on PC), but the same can't be said on Sony's end.

Sony may not be obliged to follow the same sentiment as its rival (regarding first-party exclusives) which is fair, but not so much so for its timed exclusives. Final Fantasy 16 from Square Enix (who also isn't owned by Sony), released on PS5 in 2023 and launched on PC a year later. Resident Evil 4 (remake) VR Mode is still exclusive to Sony's PSVR2, despite Capcom being a third-party partner. Death Stranding released on PS4 in 2019, and launched on PC in 2020. Do you see where I'm going with this?

In my opinion, it's completely unfair and unjust for third-party games to be held as an exclusive to one platform - there may indeed be cases where titles need more time in the oven for PC, but I certainly don't think it's always the case.

PC (and even in some cases Xbox) owners should not have to wait years for a port due to timed exclusivity - and in this case regarding GTA 6, there will be PC gamers (who don't own any consoles) that may feel forced to buy a PS5 or Xbox Series X to avoid spoilers and dive into the highly anticipated game right away.

It's unlikely that this will change any time soon: my biggest compromise has always been cross-saves being a prerequisite for timed exclusives, as this will at least give gamers a guarantee of picking up where they left off on another platform. Will this happen though? Honestly, I doubt it - and that is why change must start soon.

You may also like...

Isaiah Williams
Staff Writer, Computing

Isaiah is a Staff Writer for the Computing channel at TechRadar. He's spent over two years writing about all things tech, specifically games on PC, consoles, and handhelds. He started off at GameRant in 2022 after graduating from Birmingham City University in the same year, before writing at PC Guide which included work on deals articles, reviews, and news on PC products such as GPUs, CPUs, monitors, and more. He spends most of his time finding out about the exciting new features of upcoming GPUs, and is passionate about new game releases on PC, hoping that the ports aren't a complete mess.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Image of Grand Theft Auto 6 promotional art and Corsair's PC cases
GTA 6 could reach PCs in early 2026 according to Corsair – but I'm already sick of waiting
GTA 6
You might not have to wait long for GTA 6 on PC as Take-Two CEO teases port
Grand Theft Auto 6
Grand Theft Auto 6's release could mean an uptick in PS5 and Xbox Series X sales, according to Take Two boss
Two characters with face covers walking through a store
Grand Theft Auto 6 will reportedly run at 30FPS on PS5 and Xbox Series X
Grand Theft Auto 6
The GTA 6 release date may have leaked, and it could be an important franchise anniversary
Lucia and her partner sat on the bonnet of a car in the GTA 6 key art
GTA 6 - everything we know so far
Latest in PC Gaming
Image of Naoe in AC Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows is hands-down one of the most beautiful PC ports I've ever seen
Image of AC Shadows cover art & Steam Deck
It's not perfect, but Assassin's Creed Shadows' performance is impressive - it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally
Asus ROG Ally using Steam
I think Asus could be the perfect partner for an Xbox handheld – but I have questions
Playing games on the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma without an external display.
The Razer Handheld Dock Chroma offers Steam Deck owners a premium design and, of course, plenty of RGB
Image of GTA 6 protagonists and PS5
GTA 6's console-only launch reminds me of how much I despise console exclusivity - is it worth waiting years for PC ports?
Image of Grand Theft Auto 6 promotional art and Corsair's PC cases
GTA 6 could reach PCs in early 2026 according to Corsair – but I'm already sick of waiting
Latest in Features
The Claude, ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Perplexity logos, clockwise from top left
The ultimate AI search face-off - I pitted Claude's new search tool against ChatGPT Search, Perplexity, and Gemini, the results might surprise you
The home screen on an iPhone 16e smartphone
I think the iPhone 16e is too expensive – and as it turns out, so does nearly everybody else
Helly R and Mark S look shocked in Severance season 2
5 questions Severance season 3 needs to answer when the Apple TV+ hit returns
Neon artwork of a stylised SSD against a brick wall.
The dawn of PCIe 7.0 could mean faster SSDs for everyone - but not just yet
Resident Evil 4 Remake Ashley
Forget the Steam Spring Sale that's just ended, these are the six best deals that are still available and I've got in my basket right now
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in Paris in front of the Louvre pyramid
5 things I want from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7