Bloody Hell, GTA+ Just Scored a Basket: Is Rockstar Building the Ultimate Game Pass Rival?
AI Gaming News Author · kotaku ·
Rockstar's GTA+ subscription just made a wild play by adding NBA 2K26, sparking speculation that it's evolving beyond a Rockstar-exclusive service into a broader Take-Two game bundle, potentially rivalling other major gaming subscriptions. This curious crossover, originally covered by Zack Zwiezen for Kotaku, signals a significant shift in strategy for the usually siloed Rockstar.
Right, so I was stirring my morning potion – mostly coffee, bit of 'what the heck is happening in gaming' – when a rather peculiar scroll popped up. Apparently, GTA+, that premium little club for Los Santos' finest, just decided to dunk on us all with... *checks notes*... NBA 2K26. Yes, mate, basketball. In your Grand Theft Auto Online subscription.
Now, I'm all for unexpected crossovers. My grandma once tried to mix a healing potion with a teleportation spell, and let's just say the results were *interesting*. But Rockstar, the notoriously self-contained digital wizards behind Grand Theft Auto, suddenly offering up a 2K sports title? That's like finding a pristine basketball court in the middle of Blaine County. A bit... out of place, wouldn't you say?
This curious development was originally brought to light by Zack Zwiezen over at Kotaku, and fair dinkum, it's a story worth digging into. On the surface, it seems like a straightforward corporate synergy move, but for us keen observers, it hints at something potentially much, much bigger for Take-Two Interactive's plans in the ever-expanding subscription universe.
For those who've been living under a rock (or, y'know, just enjoying games without dissecting every corporate manoeuvre), GTA+ launched in 2022. It started life as a VIP pass for *GTA Online*, dishing out monthly cash bonuses, extra car storage, exclusive test drives, and all sorts of little perks to keep you living that high-roller life in Los Santos. A neat little add-on, for sure, catering directly to the hardcore *GTA Online* faithful.
Then, in 2023, Rockstar, perhaps feeling a bit experimental, decided to expand the magic circle. Suddenly, GTA+ members weren't just getting *GTA Online* goodies; they were getting access to a library of classic Rockstar-developed and published games. We're talking *GTA 3*, *Vice City*, *Bully*, *LA Noire*, and even *Red Dead Redemption*. That was a significant shift, transforming it from a mere *GTA Online* booster into a mini-Rockstar Game Pass. The price even bumped up from $6 to $8 in 2024, suggesting it was doing quite well and Take-Two saw potential.
But here's where it gets properly fascinating, and why NBA 2K26 popping up is more than just a random glitch in the matrix. Rockstar Games, for all its colossal success and being part of the Take-Two Interactive family (alongside 2K, Borderlands devs Gearbox, and others), has always operated with an almost monastic independence. They're like the reclusive arch-mage of the gaming world, doing their own thing, rarely mingling with their corporate siblings. You play *GTA* or *Red Dead*, and you'd barely know 2K or *Borderlands* existed under the same massive umbrella.
Which brings us to last Thursday. The announcement dropped: from March 10 to April 20, NBA 2K26 would be chilling in the GTA+ Games Library for console members (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S). And not just the game itself, but a bonus 'content pack' with 5,000 VC, skill boosts, and other bits. If you fancy keeping it after April 20, active subscribers even get a 20% discount. Oh, and because corporate synergy demands it, there are also some basketball-themed outfits making their way to *GTA Online* for GTA+ members. Because nothing says 'street criminal' like rocking a full Lakers kit, eh?
So, what in the name of all that is digital and chaotic does this mean? Is it a one-off, a temporary alignment of the gaming planets, or are we witnessing the first true expansion of GTA+ into a full-blown Take-Two super bundle, designed to rival the likes of Xbox Game Pass, EA Play, and Ubisoft+?
My gut, which has seen a few too many 'revolutionary' marketing pushes, leans towards this being a very deliberate, very strategic test. Think about it: Take-Two owns a formidable array of IPs. Beyond Rockstar and 2K, there's the *Borderlands* franchise, *Civilization*, *BioShock*, and a whole host of others. If GTA+ proves it can successfully onboard a non-Rockstar title like NBA 2K26, especially a yearly sports title with its own dedicated audience, the floodgates could well open.
Imagine a future where GTA+ isn't just about Los Santos, but a revolving library of *Borderlands* adventures, *Civ* strategy sessions, and perhaps even a retro *BioShock* or two. Suddenly, that $8 a month looks a lot more enticing for a much broader audience than just the *GTA Online* loyalists or Rockstar classic enthusiasts. Take-Two could be positioning itself to offer a compelling, diverse subscription service built around its entire portfolio, leveraging the massive, undeniable pull of the 'GTA' brand to attract subscribers.
From a player's perspective, this could be a mixed bag. For those who already subscribe to GTA+ and also enjoy NBA 2K, it's a brilliant bonus, even if it's temporary. Free game, freebies, a discount – what's not to love? But for the dedicated *GTA Online* player who couldn't care less about basketball, it might feel a bit like unexpected clutter. Is the service still truly *for them*, or is it morphing into something else entirely? That's the tightrope Take-Two will have to walk.
This move smells of an experiment. A dip of the toe into the wider subscription waters, testing the integration, the uptake, and the overall perception. If it works, we could see a 'Take-Two Pass' disguised as GTA+, steadily adding more and more games from across their vast empire. It's a clever tactic, using the most valuable gaming IP on the planet as a Trojan horse for a wider content offering.
So, next time you're cruising through Los Santos, maybe spare a thought for those digital basketballs bouncing in the background. Rockstar, the once-reclusive wizard, might just be preparing a new, grander spell, and we're all about to see what kind of chaotic, fascinating reality it conjures up. Watch this space, mate, because the game subscription wars just got a whole lot more interesting.
*Original reporting by Zack Zwiezen for Kotaku.*
Tags: GTA+, Rockstar Games, NBA 2K26, Gaming Subscriptions, Take-Two Interactive
Original article: kotaku