Pre-orders for the highly anticipated video game, Grand Theft Auto VI, commenced at midnight on Thursday, requiring gamers to make a substantial upfront payment before immersing themselves in the virtual chaos set in a fictionalized version of Florida. Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive Software have confirmed a global release date of Nov. 19 for the open-world action adventure crime drama on Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S consoles, following several delays.
The standard edition is priced at $109.99 Cdn ($80 US), surpassing the typical flagship game price of $89.99, a trend that has gradually escalated over the years. Notably, some of Nintendo’s key releases for the Switch 2 console, such as Mario Kart World, are also priced at the same level. An upgraded Ultimate Edition, priced at $139.99 Cdn ($100 US), offers various in-game bonuses, including 1980s-themed costumes and cars.
Moreover, this edition provides exclusive access to select in-game stores where players can purchase additional content like outfits, hairstyles, and tattoos for the main characters Lucia and Jason. However, Rockstar has not clarified whether these stores will operate using in-game currency, real-world money transactions, or a combination of both.
Contrary to common practice, pre-ordering the game does not grant early access before Nov. 19. Additionally, physical copies purchased in-store will not contain a physical disc but will include a code for downloading the game onto consoles, as confirmed by Rockstar.
Take-Two’s shares experienced a nearly three percent increase in pre-market trading on Wednesday. Joost van Dreunen, a gaming professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business, expressed confidence that the pricing strategy would not hinder sales, considering it as a minor factor compared to the high anticipation surrounding the game.
Grand Theft Auto V, the preceding installment released in 2013, has sold approximately 230 million copies, establishing itself as one of the best-selling video games. As Rockstar continues to update the game and its online mode, GTA Online, with substantial revenue generation, the upcoming GTA VI is pivotal not only for Take-Two but also for the broader video game industry, as the franchise traditionally drives console sales and prompts PC upgrades.
Rockstar has described GTA VI as a “single-player experience,” indicating the absence of online multiplayer content at launch. However, pre-orders will include a complimentary one-month subscription to GTA+, their premium plan for GTA Online.
Despite minimal gameplay details revealed thus far, with only two trailers released since December 2023, gamers eagerly await more insights on the game’s mechanics, settings, and characters. Online fan communities and influencers have attempted to fill this gap by circulating fabricated or AI-generated videos claiming to showcase leaked game footage.
Meanwhile, Rockstar remains embroiled in a U.K. employment tribunal following the termination of 34 employees in the U.K. and Canada, a move criticized as union-busting. The tribunal recently ruled against Rockstar’s plea to dismiss allegations of employee blacklisting.
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