Take-Two Interactive, the publisher of Grand Theft Auto, was a driving force behind the introduction of the "$70" price point for AAA game releases. Concerns exist that this trend might escalate with the release of 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.
Tez2, a known industry insider, notes that Take-Two already sells GTA Online and Red Dead Online separately. However, GTA VI will be the first title to launch with its online component sold separately, while the story mode will be part of a comprehensive package encompassing both.
This separate online sales model will influence the overall pricing. The cost of the standalone online component will impact the base game price, and the price of an upgrade to access the story mode for those who purchased only the online version remains to be seen.
By offering a lower-priced online version, Take-Two could attract players who can't afford the $70 or $80 full game. This strategy is advantageous because those players would likely upgrade to access the story mode. Furthermore, some players might desire the story mode but lack the funds for the upgrade, creating another revenue stream.
Take-Two could further capitalize on this by offering a subscription model similar to Xbox Game Pass, leveraging GTA+. Players who continue playing the online component instead of saving for the story mode upgrade will generate consistent revenue, ultimately benefiting Take-Two.
