3 min read
A former senior Rockstar Games director has pushed back against speculation that Grand Theft Auto 6 could launch with a $100 price tag, even as he predicts the title will become the most expensive video game ever developed.
Obbe Vermeij, a former technical director at Rockstar North and a longtime contributor to the Grand Theft Auto franchise, said there is no indication that Rockstar plans to charge a premium price for GTA 6 when it eventually releases. Speaking in a recent interview, Vermeij said the company is more likely to stick with standard pricing and rely on long term monetization to recoup its massive development costs.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is widely expected to surpass all previous games in terms of production spending. Industry rumors have placed the game’s budget as high as $2 billion, a figure driven by years of development, multiple internal delays, and the scale required to follow Grand Theft Auto 5, which became the most profitable entertainment product of all time. GTA 5 has sold more than 200 million copies and continues to generate revenue through its online component more than a decade after launch.
Despite those costs, Vermeij argued that Rockstar’s strategy has historically focused on maximizing the player base rather than raising the upfront price. He said the company would likely aim to sell GTA 6 at a regular retail price and generate revenue over time through its online ecosystem, similar to how Grand Theft Auto Online extended the lifespan and profitability of GTA 5.
Speculation about a higher launch price has circulated as the broader gaming industry grapples with rising development expenses. Some analysts have suggested that blockbuster titles like GTA 6 could push the market toward $80 or even $100 games, potentially resetting expectations for AAA releases. Vermeij, however, dismissed that idea, noting that Rockstar has not signaled any such move and would benefit more from widespread adoption than a higher entry cost.
While Rockstar has not officially confirmed an online multiplayer component for GTA 6, leaks and industry reporting have repeatedly suggested that a new online mode is in development. Vermeij said a live service element would further support keeping the base game price accessible, allowing the company to recover costs through downloadable content, updates, and long term engagement rather than a one time purchase.
Vermeij also suggested that GTA 6 may hold the title of most expensive game ever made for a long time, even as future development costs begin to stabilize. He pointed to advances in artificial intelligence as a potential factor in reducing expenses, particularly in areas like asset creation and repetitive technical tasks that currently account for a large share of game development budgets.
Still, he acknowledged that the role of AI in game development remains controversial, with resistance from both developers and players concerned about its impact on creative work. For now, GTA 6 stands as a benchmark for the scale and ambition of modern game development, combining unprecedented costs with expectations of record breaking commercial success.
