Insider: GTA 6 special edition and additional GTA Online payments can cost up to $150

Take-Two Interactive, the publisher of Grand Theft Auto, was a driving force behind the shift to $70 price tags for AAA game releases. Concerns are rising that this trend might continue, or even escalate, with the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI.

While the standard edition of GTA VI might remain in the $70 range, avoiding a jump to $80-$100, industry insiders suggest a premium, potentially priced at $100-$150, could be offered, possibly including early access benefits.

Tez2, a known industry leaker, further notes that, unlike previous titles, GTA VI Online will be sold separately at launch, with the story mode forming part of a "complete package" encompassing both.

This separate online component significantly impacts pricing. The question remains: how much of the base game's cost will be attributed to the online component? And what will be the upgrade price for story mode for those who initially purchased only GTA VI Online?

By offering a lower-priced online version, Take-Two could attract a wider audience, including players who might find the $70 or $80 price point prohibitive. This strategy presents a further advantage: these players could then be incentivized to upgrade to access the story mode. Conversely, some players might desire the story mode but lack the funds for the upgrade.

Take-Two could further capitalize on this by offering a subscription model similar to Xbox Game Pass, integrating GTA+. Players who opt to continue playing via subscription, rather than saving for an upgrade, would generate consistent revenue, creating another revenue stream for the publisher.