Take-Two Interactive, the publisher of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, was a driving force behind the introduction of the "$70" price point for major game releases. Concerns exist that this pricing strategy might escalate 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 benefits.
Adding to the speculation, Tez2 notes that Take-Two has previously sold GTA Online and Red Dead Online separately. However, GTA VI will mark a departure, with online functionality sold separately at launch, while the story mode will be bundled as part of a "complete package" encompassing both.
This separate online component will undoubtedly influence the overall pricing. Questions remain regarding the cost of the online portion and the price of a story mode upgrade for those purchasing the standalone GTA VI Online.
A lower price point for the online version could attract players unable to afford the $70 or $80 full game, giving Take-Two a strategic advantage. These players could then be incentivized to upgrade to access the story mode. This dual-pronged approach also creates an opportunity to generate additional revenue from players who desire the story mode but cannot afford the upgrade immediately.
Further monetization could be achieved through a subscription model similar to Xbox Game Pass, leveraging GTA+. Players opting for continuous gameplay via subscription, rather than saving for an upgrade, would generate consistent revenue for Take-Two. This represents another potential win for the publisher.
