GTA 6 price tag could change gaming forever, developer warns

The pricing of modern games has been a talking point and, some would say a sticking point, for the last few years.

Ever since it was announced that games in this generation would start costing around $70, there has been a discourse on what’s best for the industry.

Rockstar, I'm begging you, give us another trailer for GTA VI, please.

If you look back to the late 90s, games still cost between $60 and $70 on the N64 and PlayStation, so we as gamers have never really seen a huge increase despite production costs going up exponentially.

This could change, however, with the release of GTA VI.

One developer, Michael Douse, the director of publishing for Baldur’s Gate 3, believes that Rockstar Games could charge much more than $70 and change the pricing trend for gaming.

As he said on Twitter, “Almost all games should cost more at a base level because the cost of making them (inflation, for one) is outpacing pricing trends.”

This statement came after his taking issue with the way many games promise future content and wrap it up in “ultimate editions” charging a premium when the content isn’t even finished.

He says, “I think a game should be priced accordingly with its quality, breadth & depth.”

So, how does this relate to GTA VI? Well, if rumours are true, the new Grand Theft Auto instalment has cost around $1 billion to produce.

Charging $70 for the game would easily make that money back, but that cost, plus the skill and talents on the team would justify a higher price point should Rockstar Games and Take-Two feel it necessary.

After saying, “All games should cost more at a base level,” Douse finishes by remarking, “I don’t think we’ll get there with DLC promises so much as quality and communication. Everyone’s just waiting for GTA VI to do it lol.”

And GTA VI could definitely do that, and if any game is going to come out at a higher price point and be accepted by gamers, it’s GTA VI.