Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to eventually arrive on PC, though Rockstar Games may prioritize console releases first, a strategy that could lead to a significant delay for PC players. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick indicated in a Bloomberg interview that Rockstar aims to focus on its core audience on consoles before bringing titles to PC. This approach mirrors the staggered releases of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2, which launched on PC years after their console debuts. Zelnick acknowledged that PC versions can now account for roughly 50% of a game's sales, suggesting a potential reduction in the wait time for future PC ports.
Scalability and Performance on PC
Modern Rockstar PC ports have a history of improving in scalability. While Grand Theft Auto 4 faced issues, including performance problems with Games For Windows Live, subsequent titles have demonstrated greater adaptability to a wide range of hardware. Red Dead Redemption 2, despite lacking strict graphics presets, offers extensive graphics options allowing players to tune the game for lower-end systems. This scalability was highlighted when a user managed to run Red Dead Redemption 2 on an 11th-gen Core i3 mobile chip at approximately 20-30 frames per second.
Digital Foundry's analysis of GTA 6 trailers suggests the game will target 30 fps on base consoles, largely due to the CPU demands of its open world and Rockstar's focus on visual quality. The PC version, however, is expected to offer more granular control over graphics and performance. For instance, the Steam Machine, a compact gaming PC, can achieve a solid 65 fps in Red Dead Redemption 2 at 4K with FSR set to Performance and mixed graphics settings, albeit with visuals slightly below the PS5 version. Grand Theft Auto V's Enhanced Edition also performs well on the Steam Machine, nearing 60-70 fps with ray tracing enabled.
SteamOS and Online Play Challenges
Despite its potential to run graphically demanding titles, the Steam Machine faces an anticipated hurdle with Grand Theft Auto 6: anti-cheat software. Grand Theft Auto V is currently unsupported on SteamOS, the Linux-based operating system used by the Steam Machine and Steam Deck, primarily due to BattlEye Anti-Cheat. This system requires kernel access, which is not compatible with SteamOS. While Rockstar possesses the resources to potentially develop a workaround, their stated focus on console players suggests they may not prioritize SteamOS compatibility for GTA Online. Linux constitutes a small fraction of Steam's user base, making it less likely to influence Rockstar's decisions regarding anti-cheat services.
Consequently, it is anticipated that the Steam Machine will likely only be capable of running Grand Theft Auto 6's single-player campaign. Performance in this mode may also require graphics settings compromises, potentially resulting in a visual experience that trails behind its console counterparts. The full functionality, especially online, may remain exclusive to Windows-based PCs.