GTA 6 could come with a higher than average price

GTA 6 is already considered one of the biggest releases in the gaming world, even if it will only happen next year. Given this, Rockstar’s new title may also end up breaking some barriers, and one of them is regarding the price of new games.

It is possible that the new GTA will arrive with a price above the current average, and with that it will help other subsequent games also start to follow this trend. At least that is what some developers believe. Find out more!

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Larian Studios director defends price increases

In recent years, the debate over the price of new games has been growing more and more intense. As titles become more complex and development costs rise, many developers and executives believe that the standard $70 price tag for new releases no longer reflects the reality of the market.

Michael Douse, director of publishing at Larian Studios, is one such advocate, suggesting that game prices should rise to keep up with inflation and rising production costs.

Douse recently voiced his opinion on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter), where he discussed the price of new video games. He criticized the practice of justifying high prices with “vague promises of content” and argued that a game’s price should reflect its “quality, breadth and depth.” In his view, most games should charge more than the current $70.

Almost all games should cost more at a base level because the cost of making them (inflation, for one) is outpacing pricing trends. But I don’t think we’ll get there with DLC promises so much as quality & communication. Everyone’s just waiting for GTA6 to do it lol.

— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) August 26, 2024

According to Douse, “Almost all games should cost more at a base level because the cost of producing them (inflation, for example) is outpacing pricing trends.” He believes the industry is at an impasse, waiting for a major release to change the trend.

And this release, according to Douse, will be GTA 6.

Increase to $70 started with Take-Two

The $70 price point for new games became standard with the launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in late 2020. Take-Two was one of the first companies to adopt this price point with NBA 2K21, followed by other titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Demon’s Souls. However, many believe that $70 is just the beginning and that the market could be ready for a new high.

Lars Wingefors, CEO of Embracer Group, said it may take a big company like Rockstar to make the first move to see how consumers react to a higher price point. If GTA 6 does indeed break the $70 mark, other companies may follow suit, setting a new standard for the industry.

The impact of GTA 6 on prices

The highly anticipated GTA 6, set for release in late 2025, is seen by many in the industry as a potential game changer. Douse suggests that Rockstar Games’ new title could be the first to break the $70 price barrier, setting a new standard for AAA game pricing.

This expectation is not without foundation, considering that GTA 5 was one of the most profitable games of all time, and its sequel is already surrounded by huge anticipation.

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Rockstar parent company Take-Two Interactive, was asked about the possibility of GTA 6 costing more than $70. While Zelnick avoided a direct answer, he did mention that the company is looking to “deliver great value at any time,” suggesting that the price could indeed be adjusted to reflect the game’s perceived value.

And if there’s one game that can do that right now, it’s certainly GTA 6. Given the hype surrounding its release and the popularity of the series, it would still sell quite well even with this increase. But it could still sacrifice the chance to break sales records and even reach the goal of selling millions of copies like the other games in the series. Ultimately, it’s a balance, and Rockstar may prefer to play it safe and maintain the standard price to ensure its sales volume.

Source: gamespot