Take-Two Interactive, the publisher of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, was a key player in establishing the $70 price point for premium AAA game releases. Concerns exist that they might push pricing 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.
According to Tez2, a prominent gaming insider, Rockstar/Take-Two will sell GTA VI's online and story modes separately at launch. The story mode will be part of a "complete package" encompassing both.
This separate pricing strategy introduces complexities. The cost of the online component will influence the base price, and the price of the story mode upgrade for those purchasing the standalone online version remains undetermined.
By potentially offering a lower-priced online version, Take-Two could attract players with budget constraints, who might then upgrade to access the story mode. This creates a secondary revenue stream, as some players may desire the story mode but lack the funds for the upgrade.
Further monetization could be achieved through a subscription service similar to Xbox Game Pass, potentially leveraging GTA+. Players choosing continued gameplay over purchasing the story mode upgrade would generate ongoing revenue for Take-Two. This represents a potentially lucrative strategy for the company.
