Buckle up, folks, because the price of GTA VI may just give you whiplash.
In truth, perhaps we knew the upcoming Rockstar Games’ title would be costly, but we clung on to hope regardless.
Hope is what keeps fans hyped up over Take-Two announcements, despite logic telling them disappointment is sure to follow.
Sadly, here comes the disappointment, though not due to the lack of a second trailer (although that’s a valid reason), but because of the intended price of GTA VI.
One day we’ll have a second GTA VI trailer to watch, but today isn’t that day
Take-Two‘s CEO Strauss Zelnick believes the cost of AAA games should be worked out by “per hour value”.
With major releases already retailing at between £60 and £70, such an increase would price many players out of the community. At least as far as playing new games goes.
“In terms of pricing for any entertainment property, basically, the algorithm is the value of the expected entertainment usage,” Zelnick detailed.
“Which is to say that the per-hour value times the number of expected hours plus the terminal value that’s perceived by the customer in ownership if the title is actually owned, not, say, rented or subscribed to.
By that standard, our frontline prices are still very, very low because we offer many hours of engagement.”
While most gamers appreciate the time, money, and effort that goes into creating a stellar AAA experience, few would argue that costs are “very low” as a consumer.
This is not official confirmation that Zelnick intends to increase the price of GTA VI. However, it certainly teases at the very real possibility of the game costing more than what we’re used to paying.
Seeing how the new GTA map seemingly features over 100 locations, the value per hour model makes sense; we’re being promised plenty of gameplay.
Still, we doubt fans will be comforted by that fact if the cost exceeds expectations.