Pre-orders for the highly anticipated video game “Grand Theft Auto VI” began at midnight on Thursday, requiring gamers to make a significant upfront payment before delving into the virtual chaos set in a fictionalized version of Florida.
Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive Software have maintained a global release date of Nov. 19 for the open-world action adventure crime drama, available for the Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S consoles, despite several delays.
The standard edition is priced at $109.99 Cdn ($80 US), exceeding the usual flagship game price of $89.99, which has gradually increased over time. Comparable to some of Nintendo’s key releases for the Switch 2 console like “Mario Kart World,” which also retail at the same price.
An upgraded Ultimate Edition, priced at $139.99 Cdn ($100 US), offers various in-game bonuses such as 1980s-themed outfits and vehicles. This edition also grants access to exclusive in-game stores where players can purchase additional content for the main characters Lucia and Jason, including outfits, hairstyles, and tattoos. It remains unspecified whether these stores will operate using in-game currency, real-world money, or a combination of both.
Those who pre-order the game will not gain early access before Nov. 19, a common incentive for early purchasers. Additionally, physical copies of the game purchased in stores will not come with a disc but will include a download code to install the game on consoles.
Shares of Take-Two saw a nearly three percent increase in pre-market trading on Wednesday.
Joost van Dreunen, a games professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business, expressed to Reuters that the pricing is unlikely to impact sales significantly, considering it as a minor factor compared to the game’s anticipation. He mentioned that the price point may establish a new standard for top-tier titles with limited alternatives but is unlikely to affect mid-tier publishers. Van Dreunen added that “GTA VI” may not influence pricing across the industry but could widen the gap between high and low-priced games.
The previous installment, “Grand Theft Auto V,” released in 2013, has sold approximately 230 million copies, becoming one of the best-selling video games. Rockstar has consistently updated the game and its GTA Online mode, reportedly generating $1 million US in revenue per day.
The upcoming release of “GTA VI” is crucial for Take-Two and the broader video game market, as the franchise typically drives console sales and upgrades.
Rockstar has described “GTA VI” as a focused single-player experience, hinting at no multiplayer content upon launch. Pre-orders will include a complimentary one-month subscription to GTA+, their premium plan for GTA Online.
Although Rockstar has released two trailers providing insights into the game’s setting and characters since December 2023, minimal gameplay footage or details have been revealed, including maps or menus. Online fan communities and influencers have attempted to fill this void with fabricated or AI-generated videos claiming to depict leaked game footage.
Rockstar is currently embroiled in an employment tribunal in the U.K. after dismissing 34 employees in the U.K. and Canada, a move criticized as union-busting. The tribunal recently ruled against Rockstar’s request to dismiss allegations that the company blacklisted certain employees.
