Pre-orders for the highly anticipated video game, Grand Theft Auto VI, began at midnight on Thursday, requiring gamers to make a substantial payment before immersing themselves in the virtual chaos set in a fictionalized version of Florida. Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive Software are maintaining a global release date of November 19 for the action-packed crime drama, which will be available on Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S consoles.
The standard edition is priced at $109.99 Canadian ($80 US), exceeding the typical cost of flagship games at $89.99, with some top Nintendo Switch 2 titles like Mario Kart World also retailing at the same price. For those looking for more in-game content, the Ultimate Edition is priced at $139.99 Canadian ($100 US), offering additional features like 1980s-themed outfits and vehicles.
Players opting for the Ultimate Edition will have access to exclusive in-game shops where they can purchase extra content such as outfits, hairstyles, and tattoos for the main characters Lucia and Jason. However, Rockstar has not specified whether these shops will operate using in-game currency, real-world money, or a combination of both.
Despite pre-ordering the game, players will not be able to start playing before the official release date of November 19, a departure from the common practice of granting early access to pre-order customers. Additionally, physical versions of the game will not include a disc; instead, Rockstar will provide a code for players to download the game onto their consoles.
Following the pre-orders, shares of Take-Two saw a nearly three percent increase in pre-market trading. Joost van Dreunen, a games professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business, expressed confidence that the pricing strategy would not significantly impact sales, considering the high anticipation for the game.
Grand Theft Auto V, the previous installment in the series released in 2013, has sold approximately 230 million copies, establishing itself as one of the best-selling video games. Rockstar has continued to update the game and its online mode, GTA Online, which reportedly generates $1 million US in revenue daily.
The upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI is described by Rockstar as a single-player experience, indicating no multiplayer content at launch. However, pre-orders will include a complimentary one-month subscription to GTA+, their premium plan for GTA Online.
Fans have been provided with limited glimpses of the game through two trailers released by Rockstar since December 2023. There is a lack of promotional material showcasing actual gameplay, maps, or menus. Online fan and influencer accounts have attempted to fill this gap by circulating fake or AI-generated videos claiming to depict leaked game footage.
Rockstar is currently embroiled in an employment tribunal in the U.K. after terminating 34 employees in the U.K. and Canada, a move criticized as union-busting. The tribunal recently rejected Rockstar’s request to dismiss claims of employee blacklisting.
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