While rumors have swirled for months that Grand Theft Auto 6 could become the first $100 video game, a former Rockstar director has joined the chorus of experts dismissing the idea. Obbe Vermeij, the former Technical Director at Rockstar North, believes the studio will stick to a standard price point to maximize its player base for the game’s long-term online component.
The news comes as the game faces its second major delay, pushing the highly anticipated return to Vice City into late 2026.
The "Standard Price" Strategy
Vermeij argues that Rockstar has no incentive to "be greedy" with the upfront cost. By keeping the base game at the industry-standard $70, Rockstar ensures the widest possible audience enters the ecosystem of Leonida (the game's fictional Florida setting).
Back-end Revenue: Similar to GTA 5, the real profit is expected to come from a persistent online mode. Experts suggest this new iteration could resemble an MMORPG, featuring deeper role-playing mechanics and higher player counts.
Tiered Editions: While the base game is expected to stay at $70, analysts predict Rockstar will likely offer Deluxe or Ultimate Editions priced at $100 or more, which may include early access or exclusive content for the online mode.
The Most Expensive Game in History
Despite the predicted $70 price tag, GTA 6 is on track to become the most expensive piece of entertainment ever produced.
The $2 Billion Budget: Current estimates place the total cost (development plus marketing) between $1 billion and $2 billion. For comparison, GTA 5 cost approximately $265 million in 2013.
AI and the Future: Vermeij noted that GTA 6 might hold the title of "most expensive game" forever. He predicts that future titles, like a hypothetical GTA 7, will likely be cheaper to produce as generative AI begins to automate the labor-intensive tasks of building massive maps and rigging character models.
New Release Window: November 19, 2026
Fans will have to wait longer than expected to see if these predictions hold true. Following an earlier delay to May 2026, Rockstar officially moved the release date again on November 6, 2025.
Confirmed Date: November 19, 2026.
Reason for Delay: Rockstar cited the need for "additional polish" to meet the high expectations of the series.
Platforms: The game remains a current-gen exclusive for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with no PC release date currently announced.
With the release now nearly two years away, the industry is watching closely to see if GTA 6 will indeed "re-establish" video game pricing or if the $70 ceiling remains unbreakable even for the biggest name in gaming.
Would you like me to track any potential leaks regarding the rumored "GTA 6 Online" features to see how they might differ from the current Los Santos experience?
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