When I was a kid, video games cost $40. They now cost $70 and analysts are discussing a potential price of $100 for grand theft car 6. One Baldur's Gate 3 The developer says that companies expecting this are “saying the quiet part out loud.”
GTA 6 is one of the most anticipated games in history. We're all going to buy it, that's for sure, the only question left is how much we'll pay for it. The $70 standard for triple A games went into effect a few years ago, but in 2024, some of the best-selling games were around $40. Helldivers 2 and Palworld did phenomenal at those lower prices, but now analysts are wondering if GTA 6 will really make video games even more expensive.
in a report seen by VGCHe says there are “hopes” within the industry that if Take-Two charges $100 for GTA 6, other companies could do the same. VGC notes that Take-Two was one of the first publishers to adopt the $70 price point for games, so it's not out of the realm of possibility.
Larian developer Michael Douse writes in response to the news: “You're not supposed to say this out loud!!!!” Obviously, companies would love to charge us more for games: more money means more profits for them. But there is a limit to what people are willing and able to pay. Millions of people may pay $100 for GTA 6, but it's unlikely any other game would dare charge the same price.
Douse continues: “A good company raises salaries in line with inflation so their staff don't die or something, but game prices haven't increased with inflation. This is not the reason the industry is in trouble.” shit for now, but It's an inconvenient truth. On the other hand, a game developer's responsibility is to make sure the game they show lives up to that promise and the player's investment.”
You're not supposed to say this out loud!!!! https://t.co/4EABCQJaDBJanuary 19, 2025
I doubt that charging more for games will reduce the number of layoffs we've seen in the industry in recent years. Companies don't just want growth, they want exponential growth. A 5% profit this year has to be an 8% profit next year.
Hopefully, Take-Two doesn't cheat us with GTA 6 and sets a new precedent. GTA Online already makes billions of dollars through its shark cards, so assuming there is another version for this sequel – and I don't see why the company would abandon that source of income – it will be happy with the extra money it get. through that. It's also likely to sell premium versions of the game that are above the standard retail price and come with extras like more in-game currency or an early access period before the official release, as has become more common recently.
Of the ten most played games on Steam right now, only four came out last year, so people are still purchasing, clearing backlogs, or playing old live service games. Many of us wait for sales or simply play cheaper, older or already purchased games instead of shelling out money for new ones.
Hopefully, games won't get more expensive in 2025. Check out all the news video game release dates to see if there are any you would be willing to pay $100 for.