GTA V Free to Game Pass Subscribers on Xbox, Plus a Fresh Batch of Console and PC Titles
Grand Theft Auto V has joined the growing lineup available for Xbox Game Pass members, with free access now rolling out to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S players. The offering includes access to the base game and its open world on console, and players can also experience cloud gaming for flexible play on supported devices. Microsoft confirms that this move is part of a broader refresh to the Game Pass catalog aimed at delivering high-profile titles to subscribers without additional purchases.
Alongside GTA V, several other games are being added to the Game Pass library across consoles and PC. Titles such as Sword and Fairy: Together Forever, McPixel 3, Common’hood, Insurgency: Sandstorm, Exoprimal, Techtonica, and The Cave will become available gradually in the period from July 5 to July 18. A subset of these games may appear first in certain regions or platforms before expanding to others. Exo One, PAW Patrol The Movie: Adventure City Calls, and Spelunky 2, on the other hand, are scheduled to depart Game Pass on July 15, marking a temporary window for players to explore them at no extra cost if they are already subscribers.
Grand Theft Auto V originally debuted in 2013 on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, opening a sprawling open-world action-adventure experience that has since expanded to PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. The game has sold well beyond initial expectations, with cumulative sales surpassing 175 million copies across all platforms, underscoring its enduring popularity and influence in the genre. Industry chatter continues to speculate about the next major installment in the series, with rumors suggesting a potential GTA VI release in the near future. Analysts and fans alike are watching closely for official announcements from Rockstar Games and its publishing partners about roadmap and platform strategy. (Source notes: company press materials and market reporting)
Beyond the GTA news, updates in the broader gaming landscape reflect ongoing shifts in how players access titles. Microsoft Game Pass continues to position itself as a convenient, all-in-one hub for a rotating catalog of games across consoles, PC, and cloud. Subscribers benefit from immediate access to new drops and permanence for certain favorites, depending on licensing terms and regional availability. This model emphasizes flexibility, offering a mix of indie gems, major releases, and evergreen classics within a single subscription. (Attribution: Microsoft official announcements)
For players, the core takeaway is simple: it is possible to dive into GTA V and a growing list of other games without purchasing each title separately, as long as they maintain an active Game Pass membership. The cloud option adds a layer of accessibility, letting gamers jump into sessions from devices that might not have the latest hardware. It remains to be seen how the lineup evolves over the coming weeks and months as publishers adjust their distribution plans and licensing terms for Game Pass. (Industry briefings and retailer notes)