GTA 6’s pricing catches fans off guard, sparking backlash over the Ultimate Edition.

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With the lengthy development of Grand Theft Auto 6 and its presumably hefty budget, many gamers have been anxious about the game’s price tag. Recently, Rockstar put those worries to rest by announcing that the standard edition of GTA 6 will retail for $79.99. Fans are feeling a mix of surprise and relief, though a few concerns are already surfacing.

For a while, there were fears that GTA 6 could be the first major title to launch at $100 or more. After all, GTA is not only one of the best-selling franchises ever but also a game that players often repurchase across different platforms. With the ongoing success of GTA Online, Rockstar could have easily set a higher price.

There is a $99 version of GTA 6 available, but unless you’re after specific bonuses like unique vehicles and cosmetics, you can dive into the game for the standard price when it launches on November 19. While $79.99 is a bit higher than the typical new game price of $69.99, many fans find the premium version to be within reach.

“Let’s be honest, who isn’t getting the Ultimate Edition anyway?” one fan remarked on a TikTok video.

“Don’t care, I’ll pay whatever,” another commenter added without hesitation.

One Reddit user pointed out, “Wow, that’s less than a meal at 5 Guys these days.”

While the price is lower than many anticipated, some fans are still hung up on the caveats that come with it. The so-called physical edition of GTA 6 is essentially just a code in a box.

“You will own nothing and be happy,” quipped one commenter on YouTube.

“Screw pre-ordering!” another fan expressed in a different video. “No real physical edition is a major bummer.”

The absence of a physical disc feels particularly frustrating given the rising costs of SSDs. This decision stands in stark contrast to companies like Nintendo, which has recently lowered prices for digital versions of major Switch 2 titles.

One of the biggest concerns regarding GTA 6’s Ultimate Edition is how Rockstar is justifying its price. Fans typically expect pre-orders to come with non-gameplay-affecting bonuses like outfits and decals. While in-game currency or weapons are acceptable as long as they don’t create an unfair advantage, the Ultimate Edition includes five exclusive shops. These feature a salon for character customization, a streetwear store, a tattoo shop with 50 designs, a contraband hub, and two vehicle customization shops.

Some of these extras, like weapons and vehicles, could change the gameplay experience, albeit not significantly. The shops tied to the higher price are primarily aesthetic, but as the popularity of role-playing servers shows, a significant part of GTA’s charm lies in customization. In a game as stylish as GTA 6, exclusive options are bound to spark feelings of missing out.

“After everything Rockstar did to milk GTA V, I expected some nonsense, but this honestly surpasses anything I could have imagined,” one top comment on a Reddit thread about the exclusive shops stated. “This is garbage.”

Exclusivity isn’t the only issue. The pricier pre-order option is already raising concerns about the future of the GTA franchise.

“So much important stuff could be locked behind GTA+,” another fan noted, referencing Rockstar’s subscription service that offers GTA V players exclusive cars, amenities, and clothing. It seems likely that Rockstar will continue this lucrative strategy with the new game.

However, while some fans are already frustrated with GTA 6, others are taking it in stride. After 13 long years of anticipation, GTA 6 is nearly here, and it won’t break the bank as many feared. For many, the rest is just minor details.

Rockstar’s crime simulator is a visually stunning game where even the smallest elements, like lighting and reflections, manage to impress.