One tech analyst is making the argument that Grand Theft Auto 6's $80 price point is 'cheap' (Image: Getty)
Once Rockstar Games revealed the cost of Grand Theft Auto 6 last month during a blockbuster announcement, the debate was opened. What does the £80 price point mean now that the old £70 ceiling has really been broken? Games have been creeping up in price quite steadily over the last decade. The days when it might have been easy to grab a new AAA title for £45 on launch are long gone. But one tech analyst is suggesting that £80 isn’t steep for GTA 6 - but quite the opposite.
Analyst Ben Thompson: $80 Is 'Ridiculous'
During an interview with business and tech podcast TBPN, Stratechery founder Ben Thompson argued that in fact, the $80 price tag was “ridiculous”. Of course, that might have been a sentiment many fans agreed with, but his entire argument is not something many would be likely to get on board with.
Instead, Ben said: “Rockstar I feel is charging way too little for this game. They should be charging like $200 for this game.” He continued: “GTA 6 is like the last great game. It was mostly all made pre-AI. It is the pinnacle of AAA craftsmanship. Years and years and years of blood, sweat, and tears to the extent where you have the Twitter analysts like, counting cigarette butts outside Rockstar's offices to see how much crunch they're in right now.”
“Gamers are insane so I always tread in this water very, very carefully. I feel compelled to buy GTA 6, just in honor of it existing. Even if I don't know if I'm ever going to play it. I'd be happy to pay $200. $80 is ridiculous. They should charge more.”
Reddit Thread Echoes the Sentiment
Ben’s not alone in having this opinion, however. A recent Reddit thread entitled ‘Unpopular Opinion: GTA 6 is cheap’ claimed: “Anyone who claims that GTA 6 is too expensive is stupid.” The thread’s creator continued: “GTA V was released in the United States in 2013 at a price of $60. According to US inflation data, prices have risen by about 42% since then. Based on the inflation rates of the US Consumer Price Index, the original price of $60 would be equivalent to about $85 today. In other words: A price of $80 for GTA 6 would actually be cheaper in real terms than GTA V was at its release, when comparing US prices.”
Inflation and Production Costs
“Inflation aside, GTA 6 is THE most expensive entertainment project ever produced, with development and marketing costs estimated at around $2 billion. Given the scope, ambition, and production value expected of the game, the launch price can hardly be called unreasonable. Taking into account inflation in the US, the scale of the project, and the expected amount of content, the launch price of GTA 6 is absolutely fair.”
It sure is an interesting take, and one that actually makes a lot of sense when put into perspective. But we are, after all, still surviving through a cost of living crisis that has gripped the Western world and every penny spent on non-essentials is one that we often feel tremendous guilt for.
Only time will tell if GTA 6 earns its heftier price tag, and indeed if it sets a new precedent for other AAA titles.
