“Crossing a significant pricing threshold”
- by Ben Kerry
Video game pricing continues to be a bit of a contentious issue, particularly in a market where the costs of nearly everything seem to only rise. Sadly, these escalating prices are resulting in soaring game budgets – and an investment analyst suggests that GTA 6 might serve as a potential “leading edge” for the rest of the industry’s pricing landscape.
In a recent presentation discussing ‘the state of gaming in 2025’, analyst Matthew Ball theorizes a potential price increase for GTA 6, and the implications this could have for other gaming companies. Ball expresses that “there is optimism” within the industry that publisher Rob-Two “will price GTA 6 at $80 or even $100”, potentially encouraging “the remainder of the market to adjust their prices upwards” as well.
Of course, Ball further emphasizes that “no gamer desires such an increase” in gaming costs, but he presents a rationale for why it might be necessitated in the future. The presentation highlights that “real-term” game prices have never been lower than they are now (considering inflation), while also noting that “budgets are at unprecedented levels” for game development.
It goes without saying that we don’t want to see game prices go up anytime soon; purchasing full-priced games upon release currently feels extremely pricey as it is. There is a delicate equilibrium to maintain, especially if fans continue to demand grand and costly experiences like what GTA 6 is shaping up to be. For now, all we can do is wait and see – and hope that Rob-Two won’t raise its prices beyond $70 for the time being.
We’re certain you have strong opinions on this matter, so please share them down below in the comments.
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Ben is a News Creator at Pure Xbox and enjoys action, racing, and straightforward shooting in any Xbox game he can get his hands on. When he’s not gripping an Xbox controller as if his life depended on it, Ben enjoys listening to music that is probably too old for him, watching football on TV, and surely dining somewhere.