GTA 6 and Call of Duty on Same Console?

Yes, you can play both GTA 6 and Call of Duty on the same console, provided the console is a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or Xbox Series S. Both games are being released for these current-generation platforms, and no console manufacturer restricts which titles you can install alongside each other. The only real limitations are storage space and, in some cases, which specific version of the console you own.

Why Both Games Run on the Same Hardware

GTA 6 and Call of Duty are both developed as multi-platform titles. Rockstar Games has confirmed GTA 6 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, while Activision continues to release Call of Duty annually on the same systems. Neither company has an exclusivity deal that would prevent the other from appearing on a shared platform. In fact, both franchises have coexisted on the same consoles for years—GTA V and Call of Duty: Warzone were both playable on the PS4 and Xbox One, and that pattern continues with the current generation.

The technical reason they can coexist is that both games are designed to run on the same hardware architecture. The PS5 and Xbox Series consoles use similar AMD-based CPUs and GPUs, and game developers optimize their titles to work within the system’s memory and storage constraints. Installing one game does not interfere with another; the console simply treats them as separate applications.

Storage Requirements: The Real Bottleneck

The most common obstacle to having both games installed simultaneously is disk space. Call of Duty titles are notoriously large—the full install for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022) with all modes exceeded 150 GB, and newer entries are similar. GTA 6 is expected to be equally hefty; while Rockstar hasn’t announced an official file size, GTA V on PC already requires over 100 GB, and GTA 6’s open world is likely to push that higher.

Here’s what you’re working with:

• PS5: 825 GB internal SSD, but only about 667 GB is usable after system files.
• Xbox Series X: 1 TB internal SSD, with roughly 802 GB usable.
• Xbox Series S: 512 GB internal SSD, with about 364 GB usable.

If GTA 6 takes up 150 GB and the latest Call of Duty takes up 150 GB, that’s 300 GB combined—which fits on a PS5 or Series X, but leaves little room for other games. On a Series S, you’d likely have to uninstall something else to make both fit. You can expand storage with an official expansion card (for Xbox) or an M.2 SSD (for PS5), which solves the space problem but adds cost.

How to Install Both Without Deleting Everything

If you want both games ready to play, follow these steps:

1. Check your available storage: Go to Settings > Storage on your console and see how much free space you have.
2. Install one game first, then the other. The console will tell you if you’re short on space.
3. If you’re low on space, delete games you no longer play. You can always re-download them later, but keep in mind that re-downloading a 150 GB game takes time and bandwidth.
4. Consider using an external hard drive for older games (PS4/Xbox One titles) to free up internal SSD space for the new games. Note that PS5 and Series X|S games generally must be played from the internal SSD or the official expansion card, not a standard external drive.

Can You Play Them on the Same Console at the Same Time?

No console allows you to run two games simultaneously in a way that lets you play both at once. The PS5 and Xbox Series have a “Quick Resume� feature (Xbox) and “Activities� (PS5) that let you switch between games quickly, but you still have to close one to open the other. That’s not a limitation—it’s how all consoles work. You can, however, have both installed and switch between them in seconds, which is what most people mean when they ask this question.

Common Problems and Fixes

If you run into issues trying to install or play both games, here are the usual culprits:

• Not enough storage: The fix is to delete unused games or add expansion storage.
• Game updates: Both games receive frequent updates, sometimes 20–50 GB each. Even if you have enough space initially, a large update can push you over the limit. Always keep a buffer of at least 20 GB free.
• Disc vs. digital: If you buy a physical disc, the game still installs to the internal drive. The disc acts as a key, but the space requirement is the same.
• Cross-gen versions: If you have a PS4 or Xbox One, you cannot play GTA 6 at all—it’s not coming to those consoles. Call of Duty still releases on last-gen, but GTA 6 is current-gen only.

Cost Considerations

Buying both games at launch will cost roughly $140–$160 (if you get the standard editions). That’s a significant expense, but it’s not a technical barrier. If you’re on a budget, you can wait for sales—Call of Duty often drops in price a few months after release, and GTA 6 might too, though Rockstar titles tend to hold value longer. Alternatively, consider Game Pass or PlayStation Plus—Call of Duty is available on Game Pass (since the Activision acquisition), but GTA 6 is unlikely to appear on any subscription service at launch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a PS5 Pro or Xbox Series X to play both?

No. The base PS5 and Xbox Series X can run both games. The Xbox Series S can also run both, but with lower resolution and potentially smaller install sizes (some games allow you to omit high-resolution textures). Performance-wise, you’ll get a playable experience on all current-gen consoles, though the Series S may target 1080p/1440p instead of 4K.

Can I play GTA 6 on PS4 or Xbox One?

No. Rockstar has confirmed GTA 6 is exclusive to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. It will not be released on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. If you only have a last-gen console, you’ll need to upgrade to play it.

Will Call of Duty take up less space if I only install the multiplayer mode?

Yes. On modern Call of Duty games, you can choose which components to install (campaign, multiplayer, co-op). If you only play multiplayer, you can save a significant amount of space—sometimes 50–100 GB. GTA 6, however, is a single open-world game with no separate modes, so you can’t trim its install size.

Can I use an external hard drive to store both games?

For PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of games, you cannot play them from a standard external USB drive. You can store them there, but you’d have to move them back to the internal SSD to play. The official expansion cards (for Xbox) and internal M.2 SSDs (for PS5) work as direct expansions and allow you to play from them.

What happens if I run out of space during a game update?

The console will usually pause the update and prompt you to free up space. If you ignore it, the update may fail. Always ensure you have enough free space before a large update downloads. You can also delete and reinstall the game if the update fails repeatedly.

Is it better to buy one game physically and the other digitally?

It doesn’t affect storage—both versions install the same amount of data. The choice is about convenience: digital means you don’t need to swap discs, but physical discs can be resold. If you’re worried about disk space, neither format gives you an advantage.

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