The gaming community is buzzing with speculation surrounding the potential price of Rockstar Games’ highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6), slated for release in 2025. Following the industry’s shift from a $60 to a $70 standard for AAA titles, recent discussions, amplified by an analyst report, have raised the possibility of GTA 6 launching at an unprecedented $80, $90, or even $100 base price. However, insights gathered by IGN from multiple industry analysts suggest such a steep price for the standard edition is unlikely, though premium versions may well exceed that mark.
The Spark: Where Did the $100 Idea Originate?
The notion gained traction following a presentation by Epyllion CEO and analyst Matthew Ball. In his analysis of the 2025 gaming landscape, Ball noted that “some gamemakers hope GTA 6 will be priced at $80 to $100.” His rationale, as written in the report, is that this could help “re-establish packed video game prices after decades of deflation despite rampant cost growth,” effectively resetting the market upwards. Ball highlighted that despite massive development budgets, game prices haven’t kept pace with inflation in real terms. It’s crucial to note Ball reported this as a hope within parts of the industry, not a confirmed pricing strategy from Rockstar or Take-Two.
Analyst Consensus: $100 Base Price Unlikely and Unwise
Despite Ball’s observations about industry hopes, multiple analysts interviewed by IGN expressed skepticism about a $100 base price for GTA 6.
- Mat Piscatella (Circana): Argued against it, stating “There’s just no need.” He believes such a high entry point would unnecessarily narrow the potential player base (“funnel”) for such a massive launch.
- Joost van Dreunen (NYU Stern / SuperJoost): Called a potential price hike beyond the standard a “mistake.” He anticipates Rockstar will stick to the successful GTA 5 model: launch at the standard price point ($70 currently), potentially re-release on future platforms, and offer premium editions with extras at higher prices.
- Rhys Elliott (MIDiA): While acknowledging GTA 6’s immense hype could potentially bear a $100 tag, he deemed charging that much for the base game “a bridge too far.” He warned of significant player backlash and the negative impact on bringing players into the crucial online component, which drives long-term revenue.
The general sentiment across five analysts consulted was that the standard edition would likely remain at the current $70 benchmark.
The $100 Reality: Premium Editions and Early Access
Rhys Elliott pointed out a critical nuance: publishers are already charging $100 or more for games at launch, just not for the standard edition. This is achieved through “Collector’s Editions” or similar premium bundles that often include perks like early access. Elliott cited examples like WB Games (Hogwarts Legacy), Xbox (Starfield), EA (EA Sports FC 25), and Ubisoft (Star Wars: Outlaws) employing this strategy. This effectively creates a higher price tier for eager players without labeling the base game itself at $100.
The GTA Online Factor: Long-Term Engagement is Key
Analysts emphasised the monumental success and revenue generation of GTA Online, the multiplayer component of GTA 5. Attracting a massive player base to GTA 6’s online equivalent is paramount for long-term success.
- Rhys Elliott: Stressed that limiting the potential online player pool with a high entry price would be counterproductive, especially when needing to convince players to migrate from the still-popular GTA 5 Online.
- James McWhirter (Omdia): Believes Take-Two is unlikely to disrupt the successful model where GTA Online access was included with the main game purchase. He anticipates alternative pricing or business models might emerge later, potentially tied to managing the transition between the two live GTA Online services.
While the exact structure isn’t known, possibilities discussed include launching the online mode shortly after the single-player game (like GTA 5), potential separate launches, integration of future story content into the online mode, and continued use of subscriptions like GTA+ possibly supplemented by a battle pass system.
GTA: Sales Expectations
GTA 5’s enduring success (selling around 5 million copies quarterly even now) sets a high bar. However, Joost van Dreunen predicts GTA 6 could meet or exceed this, estimating potential first-year sales of 38 million copies at a $70 price point, generating roughly $2.7 billion.
In conclusion, while some within the industry may wish for GTA 6 to establish a new $80-$100 price standard, expert analysis suggests Rockstar is more likely to stick to the current $70 base price. Expect premium editions to offer pricier options, while the core strategy will focus on maximizing player reach for the all-important online component, the true engine of long-term revenue.
