Pre-orders for the highly anticipated video game, Grand Theft Auto VI, began at midnight on Thursday, requiring gamers to make a substantial upfront payment to dive into the virtual chaos set in a fictionalized version of Florida. Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive Software are maintaining a global release date of November 19 for the open-world action-adventure crime drama on Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S consoles, following several postponements.
The standard edition of the game is priced at $109.99 Cdn ($80 US), exceeding the typical flagship game price tag of $89.99. Notably, some of Nintendo’s key releases for the Switch 2 console, like Mario Kart World, are also priced at the same level. For those seeking additional in-game content, the Ultimate Edition is available at $139.99 Cdn ($100 US), offering 1980s-themed costumes and cars, along with access to exclusive in-game shops where players can purchase extras such as outfits, hairstyles, and tattoos for the main characters Lucia and Jason. However, Rockstar has not clarified whether these shops will operate using in-game currency, real-world money, or a combination of both.
Despite the pre-order option, players will not be able to play the game before the official release date of November 19, a common practice in the gaming industry. Furthermore, physical versions of the game will not come with a disc; instead, Rockstar will provide a code for players to download the game onto their consoles.
Take-Two’s shares 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 confidence that the pricing strategy would not impact sales significantly, considering the high anticipation surrounding the game. He suggested that the pricing might establish a new standard for major titles with limited alternatives, widening the gap between top-tier and mid-tier publishers.
Grand Theft Auto V, the predecessor, released in 2013, has sold approximately 230 million copies, solidifying its position as one of the best-selling video games to date. With continuous updates to GTA Online mode, Rockstar has reportedly been generating $1 million US in revenue daily. The upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to play a crucial role not only for Take-Two but also for the broader video game market, driving console sales and PC upgrades.
Described by Rockstar as “a single-player experience,” GTA VI is anticipated to offer no online multiplayer content at launch. However, pre-orders will come with a complimentary one-month subscription to GTA+, the premium plan for GTA Online. While the actual gameplay details remain scarce, with only two trailers released since December 2023, fan speculation and unofficial content have circulated online, filling the information void.
In a separate development, Rockstar is embroiled in an employment tribunal in the U.K. following the dismissal of 34 employees in the U.K. and Canada, a move criticized as union-busting. The tribunal recently ruled against Rockstar’s attempt to dismiss claims accusing the company of blacklisting former employees.