Take-Two Interactive, the publisher of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, spearheaded the movement towards a $70 price point for AAA game releases. Concerns exist that this pricing strategy might escalate with the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI.
While a standard edition of GTA VI might remain in the $70 range, avoiding a price hike to $80-$100, industry insiders suggest a premium edition priced between $100 and $150 could be offered, potentially including early access.
According to Tez2, a prominent industry leaker, Rockstar/Take-Two will deviate from previous practices. Unlike GTA Online and Red Dead Online, which were sold separately after launch, GTA VI Online will be sold separately at launch. The story mode will be bundled as part of a "complete package" encompassing both.
This separate online component significantly impacts pricing. The question arises: how much will the online portion contribute to the base game's price? And what will be the cost of the story mode upgrade for those purchasing the standalone online version?
By offering a lower-priced online version, Take-Two could attract players unable to afford the $70 or $80 full game. This strategy is advantageous, as these players would likely upgrade to access the story mode. Furthermore, some players might desire the story mode but lack the funds for the upgrade, creating another revenue stream.
Take-Two could further capitalize on this by offering a subscription service similar to Xbox Game Pass, potentially leveraging GTA+. Players opting for continuous gameplay via subscription, rather than saving for an upgrade, would generate consistent revenue, ultimately benefiting Take-Two.
