Not too long ago, it seemed like the $70 price tag for a top-tier video game was pushing the limits, but now, it looks like publishers might be setting their sights even higher. Reports from industry analysts hint that GTA 6 could trigger another price hike. Gamers should brace themselves to start unlocking those Grand Theft Auto VI achievements later this year when the open-world title lands on Xbox Series X|S, ideally sticking with that $70 benchmark.
Many eyes are on Take-Two, as they might lead the charge for bumping up AAA game prices yet again. According to some sources, a few publishers are contemplating setting the price of GTA 6 between $80 and $100. The game is expected to drop on Xbox Series X|S around 2025. “Once GTA VI hits the market, it’s likely to shake up how much time and money players invest in their games,” says Mathew Ball from Epyllion. “While it could disrupt attention on other titles, there’s a push to price GTA VI at $80-$100. This would break the $70 barrier and potentially elevate $50 games to $60, $60 to $70, and so forth.”
We’ve often seen special editions priced at $100, loaded with extras. Yet, the standard edition of most AAA releases usually hovers around $70. Since the launch of Xbox Series X|S and PS5 in 2020, this $70 price has been a norm, albeit a tough one for many gamers to digest.
Now, while you might get your money’s worth with epic adventures like Baldur’s Gate 3 or Elden Ring, there’s always the risk of ending up with a less-than-stellar experience like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League or Skull and Bones. Game development costs are soaring, with developers getting increasingly ambitious. We’ve seen jaw-dropping budgets for recent Call of Duty installments. On the other hand, players are grappling with rising living costs, making steep game prices harder to justify unless the experience is truly exceptional.
GTA 6, given Rockstar’s reputation, might live up to whatever price it commands, but not all publishers have secured such trust. This uncertainty prompts players to turn to new Game Pass titles or await sales for their purchases.
With the current pricing dynamics, Microsoft has started making its Xbox exclusives available on competing platforms. Some major Xbox franchises might soon debut on PlayStation as well. Likewise, PlayStation has been extending its catalog to other platforms, focusing on PCs so far, in efforts to tap into more markets and cover the mounting costs of game production.
So, what’s your take? Would you be ready to shell out $80 to $100 for the top Xbox titles? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
