Experts are confident that Grand Theft Auto VI is capable of completely changing players’ perceptions of video game prices.
According to analytical forecasts, the starting cost of the basic version of GTA VI may be $100, almost a third higher than the current prices for top AAA projects. If the predictions come true, the game risks becoming the most expensive mass-market novelty in the history of the industry.
Such a move could radically shake up the market. For gamers, this will mean a new “entry level”, and for developers, a revision of the usual monetization models and audience expectations. It is possible that the industry will enter a new stage where premium content will be evaluated in a completely different way.
GTA VI price and sales prospects: what is known by 2025
Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Packer makes strong arguments in favor of such a pricing strategy. According to his calculations, the development and marketing costs will exceed a whopping $1.5 billion. But the total revenue for the entire life cycle of the project may exceed an impressive $ 10 billion. Separately, he notes that GTA Online alone brings in about $500 million annually, which once again confirms the high profitability of the franchise.
However, not all experts are so optimistic. Matt Piscatella from Circana draws attention to the growing resistance of players to price increases. According to him, even $80 becomes a serious psychological barrier for many. Rockstar Games has not yet made official statements about the final cost, but experts believe that the company may choose a differentiated approach. The standard version is likely to cost between $70 and $80, while the expanded editions can go up to $100 and above. This “multi-level” option will allow you to reach different audience segments and simultaneously increase revenue.
The official release of Grand Theft Auto VI on PlayStation and Xbox is scheduled for May 26, 2026. Initially, the publisher of Take-Two Interactive planned to release the game in late 2025, but after the release of the second trailer, the date was postponed. The developers decided to take extra time to polish the project so that the game fully meets the expectations of fans.
