Xbox's X-BITE puts a Series X in an alligator before GTA 6

On November 3, Xbox unveiled the Xbox Series X-BITE: a working Xbox Series X built into a life-size replica alligator, staged as if the reptile had eaten the console. Only one exists, according to Polygon, and Voxel reports that Microsoft won't sell it. Instead, it is the prize in a US-only sweepstakes that closes at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on November 10, IGN says.

The announcement never names Grand Theft Auto 6. Kotaku notes that Xbox's blog post leaves out "Grand Theft Auto 6," "Rockstar Games" and "Vice City" altogether, offering only: "This November, Xbox is heading to Florida." The coverage still reads it the same way. Game Rant points to the police lights and synth-pop in the reveal trailer, while HobbyConsolas also spotted weapons on the set. HobbyConsolas treats Microsoft's line about being "ready to play some of the biggest games of the year," as Kotaku quotes it, as one more hint. IGN's explanation is simpler: the game is set in a fictional Florida, and alligators come with the territory.

Sony's GTA 6 marketing deal

According to Kotaku, Sony appears to have an exclusive marketing deal with Rockstar for GTA 6. Kotaku says it doesn't know the terms and sees the alligator as an Xbox marketer's way around them. HobbyConsolas agrees: in its reading, Microsoft can't market the game, so it built its own campaign without saying the name. Voxel reports that the X-BITE is not a partnership with Rockstar, whose official campaign pitches the PS5, and the PS5 Pro in particular, as the best place to play.

Giant Bomb cofounder Jeff Gerstmann compared the stunt on Bluesky to brands that say "The Big Game" because they haven't paid to use the Super Bowl name, joking about playing "Big Florida Crime 6" on a gator, Kotaku reports. Kotaku also expects the game to play the same on Series X as on PS5, as most multiplatform games have this generation. That is the outlet's expectation, not a Rockstar statement.

Inside the Xbox Series X-BITE

Polygon, Kotaku and Voxel pass along Microsoft's description. The reptile is more than five feet (about 1.52 metres) from snout to tail. The console shows through a lit-up Xbox Nexus on its body, a custom controller covered in bite marks sits in its jaws, and the eyes have Xbox-green irises with Nexus-inspired pupils. Xbox calls the result "part-Xbox Series X, part-creature fabrication." IGN says an Xbox button on the gator's back turns it on, and HobbyConsolas says it comes on its own stand.

John Nolan Studio, whose past work includes The Witcher, Jurassic World Dominion and HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series, built it using 3D modeling, sculpting and fabrication, according to Polygon. Microsoft recommends treating it as a display piece and says no real alligators were harmed. The outlets don't agree on the species: English-language coverage says alligator, Spanish-language outlets such as IGN España say caiman, and Vandal's headline calls it a crocodile.

How the X-BITE sweepstakes works

• Follow @Xbox on X, Instagram or TikTok, and keep your profile public.
• Repost the official sweepstakes post and add #XbiteSweepstakes yourself.
• Be a legal resident of the 50 US states or Washington, D.C., aged 18 or older. Polygon says no purchase is necessary.
• Enter by 11:59 p.m. PT on November 10 (3:59 a.m. Brasília time on November 11, per Voxel).
• The potential winner has 48 hours to claim the prize. Otherwise, IGN says, the gator will "make a clean getaway."

GTA 6 pre-load and launch on Xbox

GTA 6 launches on November 19 on PS5, PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X|S, according to IGN and Voxel. The sources differ on pre-loading: IGN and IGN España say dates of November 9 and 10 were confirmed on November 3, while Voxel and HobbyConsolas put the start of console pre-loading on November 10. HobbyConsolas adds that physical copies, which have a code in the box, reach stores on November 12, though nobody can play before November 19. The install is 212 GB, per IGN, and Rockstar's official site tells players to make "ample space to begin pre-loading as soon as possible." Our pre-load article has the details. Voxel also says Xbox players should be able to get in early thanks to the New Zealand time zone, which our guide explains.