GTA 6 Special Edition and GTA Online Payments May Reach $150: Insider

Take-Two Interactive, the publisher behind the iconic Grand Theft Auto series, has been at the forefront of setting a new standard with a $70 price tag for AAA video game releases. With the much-anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6), there's growing speculation about how pricing strategies might evolve. While the basic version of GTA 6 is expected to maintain the $70 price point, avoiding a jump to $80-$100, there's buzz around a potential special edition priced between $100 and $150, offering perks like early access.

According to insider Tez2, Rockstar Games and Take-Two have already ventured into selling GTA Online and Red Dead Online separately. However, GTA 6 marks a pivotal shift as it will be the first title where the online component is sold separately at launch, while the story mode is bundled into a "complete package" that includes both the online and story modes.

This new approach necessitates a careful consideration of pricing for the standalone online version and the story mode upgrade. How much of the base $70 price will be attributed to the online component? And what will be the additional cost for those who purchase the standalone GTA 6 Online to upgrade to the story mode?

By setting a lower price for the online version, Take-Two could tap into a wider audience, particularly those who might find the full $70 or $80 game out of their budget. This strategy has a dual advantage: not only does it attract players to the online experience, but it also positions them to potentially upgrade later to access the story mode. This creates a compelling opportunity for Take-Two, as some players might yearn for the story mode but struggle with the additional cost of the upgrade.

To further capitalize on this, Take-Two could introduce a subscription model akin to Game Pass, integrating GTA+. This would encourage continuous engagement from players who might otherwise save up for a one-time upgrade. By doing so, Take-Two stands to generate a steady stream of revenue from ongoing subscriptions, benefiting from players' continued investment in the game.