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 they might push pricing 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 known industry leaker, Rockstar/Take-Two already sells GTA Online and Red Dead Online separately. However, GTA VI will mark a first: the online component will be sold separately at launch, while the story mode will be part of a "complete package" encompassing both.
This dual-release strategy introduces pricing complexities. The cost of the standalone online component will influence the overall price. Furthermore, the price of upgrading to the story mode for those who initially purchased only the online version remains undetermined.
A lower price point for the online version could attract players unable to afford the $70 or $80 full game. Take-Two could then capitalize on these players upgrading to access the story mode. This strategy also creates a revenue stream from players desiring the story mode but unable to afford the upgrade immediately.
Take-Two could further maximize revenue by offering a subscription-based service similar to Xbox Game Pass, potentially leveraging GTA+. Players choosing continuous gameplay over saving for an upgrade would generate consistent income. This represents another potential revenue stream for Take-Two.
