Take-Two Interactive announced Wednesday that “Grand Theft Auto VI” will retail at $79.99 for the base version — pushing past the $69.99 ceiling most blockbuster games have held for years.
The industry’s most anticipated title in over a decade is locked in for a November 19 release after multiple delays.
An “Ultimate Edition” will run $99.99, adding exclusive vehicles, weapons, and apparel woven into the story of Jason and Lucia, the game’s protagonists.
Joost van Dreunen, games professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business, said the pricing won’t hurt sales.
“$80 a rounding error against the anticipation.”
Van Dreunen added the price could set a new benchmark for top-tier titles but wouldn’t apply across the board. “GTA VI doesn’t lift all prices but widens the gap between the haves and the have-nots,” he said.
Fans have waited more than a decade for “GTA VI.” Analysts expect billions in sales within days due to the franchise’s popularity and Rockstar Games’ track record.
“Grand Theft Auto V” dropped in 2013 and has sold around 230 million copies — making it one of the best-selling video games ever.
That makes “GTA VI” crucial not just for Take-Two but for the wider gaming market. The franchise typically drives console sales and PC upgrades.
Pre-orders open June 25. All pre-orders before November 20 include the Vintage Vice City Pack of retro in-game items. Digital buyers also get a free month of GTA+, a membership unlocking in-game perks and access to “GTA V” and other titles.
The game was first unveiled in late 2023 with a trailer that now has nearly 300 million views on YouTube. It features a “Bonnie and Clyde”-like duo blitzing through a fictional Miami called “Vice City.”
Take-Two shares rose nearly 3% in premarket trading following the announcement.
