Take-Two Interactive, the publisher of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, was a driving force behind the introduction of the $70 price point for AAA game releases. Concerns exist that this pricing strategy might extend even further with the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI.
While a standard edition of GTA VI might remain in the $70 range, avoiding a price tag of $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 games industry leaker, Rockstar/Take-Two will adopt a unique sales model for GTA VI. Unlike previous titles, GTA VI Online will be sold separately at launch, while the story mode will be bundled as part of a "complete package" encompassing both online and offline components.
This dual-release strategy necessitates a careful consideration of pricing. The cost of the standalone online component will influence the overall price, and the price of upgrading to the full story mode for those who purchased only the online version remains to be seen.
A lower price point for the online version could attract players unable to afford the full $70 or potentially $80 game. Take-Two could capitalize on this by offering a story mode upgrade, creating an additional revenue stream. Players who opt against purchasing the upgrade could then be targeted with a subscription service similar to Xbox Game Pass, namely GTA+, ensuring continued revenue generation. This multi-pronged approach positions Take-Two to maximize profits regardless of individual player purchasing decisions.
