Gamers might not get to experience Grand Theft Auto VI until 2026, according to industry experts, but there’s more to be anxious about. The buzz around GTA VI (GTA 6) is so significant that Take-Two/Rockstar could decide to raise the game’s base price to $100. Even more troubling is the risk of other major game titles following this trend.
Pricing Predictions
Matthew Ball, an analyst from Epyllion, presented his thoughts on how GTA 6 could affect game pricing in his State of Video Gaming in 2025 talk. He pointed out that over the last 44 years, the prices for packaged video games have decreased in real dollar value. In contrast, other entertainment industries, like movies, concerts, and streaming services such as Netflix, have seen their prices rise over time.
Impact on the Industry
This situation paints a grim picture for the gaming sector, regardless of the size of the studio. AAA games that used to cost around $50 million to develop 15 years ago are now racking up expenses between $200 million to $500 million or even higher. Minecraft and GTA V still hold the record for being the two best-selling packaged games ever based on unit sales.
The gaming community anticipates GTA VI will surpass the unofficial $70 price threshold, with Take-Two’s prominent title expected to sell between $80-$100, according to developers’ hopes. While a $70 price tag would be the least expensive for a GTA game, Ball forecasts that the average price for the title could reach $91.
Price Increases Across the Board
If this trend continues, we could see a minimum price hike of $10 across the board, meaning $50 games may jump to $60, $60 games could rise to $70, and $70 titles might go up to $80, and so forth.
Gamers, especially those who favor AAA titles, may need to prepare their budgets if these predictions come true. It’s worth noting that these figures refer to base prices, suggesting that Deluxe and Premium editions may end up costing even more.
Trends in Gaming
The analyst also explores the roles of generative and agentic AI in gaming, along with how the success of devices like the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck has revived interest in handheld AA/AAA gaming.
Interestingly, while gamers on PC and consoles are increasingly turning to other entertainment options, Ball reveals that PC gaming has actually seen a 20% growth, while console gaming has plateaued since 2021.
This growth is linked to several advantages of the PC platform, including a vast and ever-growing game library with nearly complete backwards compatibility, the ability to multitask, the availability of PlayStation exclusives on PC (though delayed), premium Roblox games, and the emergence of Windows-based gaming handhelds.
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