Grand Theft Auto 6 Could Be $100 — and I Ain't Paying That.

When Hype Meets a potential Hundred-Dollar Price Tag

Grand Theft Auto 6 Could Be $100 — and I Ain't Paying That.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is poised to be the biggest game in the world when it drops in 2025. But unless you’re gaming on console or willing to swallow the potential price tag, well, you might be out of luck.

$70, $80, $100—whatever it ends up costing, this game better raise my kids and tell my wife I love her. And let’s be real: I’m already bracing for the inevitable online chorus of “If you’re broke, just say that” or the classic, “With inflation, GTA 6 will actually be the cheapest in the series.” Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Whether those arguments hold water or not, it all comes down to consumer choices. And honestly? At this point, I’m not sure we’re ready to make the right one.

The Price of FOMO and “that” Audience

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’m beyond excited for Grand Theft Auto 6. I want to dive in when the time is right. Rockstar knows how to deliver—a vast, engaging sandbox where the only limit is how fast you can finish the main story. I trust the process. What I don’t trust is the price tag.

Here’s the thing: I rarely see games justify their value at the $70-$100 price point. And honestly, if you can name five games beyond the traditional $60-$70 range that are worth full MSRP, congrats—you’re a whale in training.

This isn’t to say GTA 6 will be bad or subpar. If anything, it’s bound to be extraordinary. But that doesn’t stop my FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) from hitting the brakes. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the casual gamers who only dip into the occasional AAA release. If you’re one of those folks who plays Call of Duty or Fortnite once in a blue moon and happens to have disposable income? Take the hall pass and head back to class. Ignorance is bliss, and no one’s here to judge.

But then, there’s that subset of players—the ones who won’t listen to reason. You know the type:

• The ones who buy every sports game annually because they “need it.”

• The ones riding the hype train long after it’s left the station—because, why not?

• The ones who get caught up in console wars, defending their chosen ecosystem as if it’s superior… even though they pay for a subscription just to access online features.

• The ones who scoff at cozy or indie games because they’re not “real games.”

Respectfully, this group has only grown as gaming has become more universal. And while there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, I can’t help but worry that their habits, combined with Rockstar’s industry clout, will pave the way for an eye-watering price tag. A price tag that could send shockwaves through an already unstable industry.

Zooming Out: A History of Gaming Prices

Let’s zoom out for a second. Back in the ’90s, the standard price for AAA video games was $50. As a kid, that was way beyond my budget—but nothing a quick rental from Blockbuster couldn’t fix. Fast forward to the mid-2000s, and that price crept up to $60. Sure, it stung, but it became the standard for nearly 15 years.

Now, let’s add some context. In 2009, the federal minimum wage in the U.S. was $7.25 per hour—a number that hasn’t changed to THIS DAY. So, if you are working a minimum wage job now, buying a new game isn't impossible—it just ain’t the smartest long-term financial move.

Now it’s 2013, and Grand Theft Auto V entered the scene like the popular new kid on the block. The game smashed records with sales of over 32.5 million copies, not to mention the billions it raked in through re-releases and GTA Online over the next decade plus. Absolutely mind-blowing numbers, especially considering the massive appetite players had after GTA IV.

I know I’m throwing a lot of numbers and dates at you—stay with me, don’t scroll back to TikTok just yet.

By 2020, we noticed a shift. AAA games began launching at $70, justified as part of the new console generation. My wallet flinched. Hard. Meanwhile, the pandemic created a massive boom in the gaming industry, with companies hiring like never before. But that silver lining didn’t last—over 30,000 people in the industry lost their jobs shortly after the boom subsided. Again, this industry is loco.

Now we’re here in 2025, and analysts are predicting that Grand Theft Auto 6 could launch with a price tag of $80, $90, or even $100. I couldn’t tell you exactly why—but here we are.

I get it: development costs are skyrocketing, developers deserve livable wages, and maximizing revenue is part of the strategy. All of these factors impact the pricing decisions behind GTA 6 and keep the parent company, Take-Two Interactive, smiling.

But let’s be honest—it feels like a slippery slope when $70 becomes the new $100.

Not Every Developer Has the Sauce

Let’s not kid ourselves—not every developer has the sauce. And I mean that in the most blunt yet loving way possible. It’s easy to live in a bubble of delusion in the AAA space, but the last thing players need is for developers to assume GTA 6 has set a precedent for pricing. Just because Rockstar has the clout to charge $100 doesn’t mean they should and everyone else should try to copy and paste the results.

Sure, some studios know their limits—they’re aware that punching above their weight class would lead to disaster. But let’s be real: that won’t stop others from trying, only to fail and face the backlash.

From a consumer standpoint, we’re already dealing with the constant bombardment of special editions and deluxe versions that raise the barrier of entry to $100 or even $200. For some, that’s no big deal. But for players with common sense (and a backlog), our feet are firmly planted. And let’s not forget microtransactions, which continue to chip away at the online experience while reducing the grind.

Look, I’m not here to judge—just to glare in disapproval as you pay your way to the top. If you feel attacked, I’m sorry that you play sports games, but let’s be honest: you’re wasting your money.

Indies, the Price War, and the Future of Creativity

Here’s the other side of the coin: independent developers. Indie studios often rely on lower price points to attract gamers, offering smaller, creatively rich experiences that stand out in a sea of overproduced AAA titles. And honestly, who can blame them for wanting a piece of the pie?

But here’s the scary hypothetical: if AAA games climb to $100, what’s stopping indie games from inching up to $60? Suddenly, we’re in a price war that blurs the lines between AAA and indie, forcing smaller studios to fight for survival. And truth be told, I’m not sure who comes out on top—except maybe a handful of blockbuster titles and standout indie gems.

The real tragedy? We’d end up in a world where creativity is stifled, experimental games are few and far between, and the only releases generating excitement are recycled experiences engineered to minimize risk and maximize profits. Consumers and developers alike deserve better than that. Restricting both parties won’t lead to true progress—it leads to canceled projects, uninspired games, and the unfortunate closure of smaller studios.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? It’s the film industry all over again—and we all know how that’s been going in recent years.

Let’s be real: the future's not set in stone.

Grand Theft Auto 6 could potentially be delayed. The pricing might be considered “normal” by today’s standards, and players could vote with their wallets, choosing to buy the game only when it hits a price point they're comfortable with. It’s essentially a roll of the dice, and everyone’s chips will fall as they may. Pricing structures will be set, and whether we love or hate it, we have no control over the price of admission.

Based on consumer perception and the sheer anticipation for the next entry in the series, I think it’s safe to say that GTA 6 will undoubtedly make a big splash, with ripple effects felt across the industry. I wouldn’t be surprised if a significant portion of the world called out of work or scheduled PTO just to play on launch day. No judgment here—press whatever buttons you want on your set-top box.

This prediction about industry pricing leaves me with a sense of anxiety. Personally, I know I’ll get around to the game when the time feels right. I’m not preordering. I’m not investing in microtransactions. I’ll buy it when I’m ready and let my dollars do the yappin’ when I’m comfortable spending them. Part of this is because I understand the value of a dollar, having grown up with barely a penny to my name. The other part is that my backlog continues to grow, and I already have what feels like an endless ocean of games to swim in. Trust me, we’ll all be fine.

I predict GTA 6 will be priced at $70, excluding special or collector’s editions. I’m sure Rockstar and Take-Two Interactive are taking every step to maximize profits without shooting themselves in the foot. If I’m wrong, then I’ll play the waiting game. Supporting something like this feels like too much of a gamble, especially when it has the potential to impact both the industry and pricing trends in the long term. At that point, I’ll fold.

Love,

willcblogs