Analyst says the games industry "hopes" GTA VI will cost up to $100, raising average prices

GTA VI may cost $100, pushing average game prices up and breaking price records.

: Gaming analyst Matthew Ball suggests GTA VI could be priced between $80 and $100, possibly setting a new standard for AAA titles pricing. The game, potentially the most expensive to develop, may influence other companies to raise their prices to offset development costs. The gaming industry has seen previous price hikes, with $70 becoming normal since NBA 2K21. Ball argues that these prices are cheaper in real terms, despite gamers likely disagreeing.

Matthew Ball of Epyllion's State of Video Gaming in 2025 predicts that GTA VI could cost between $80 and $100, driven by high development costs potentially reaching up to $2 billion. This pricing strategy might encourage other companies to increase game prices to offset the skyrocketing costs.

Ball mentions that the $70 price point, first breached by NBA 2K21, marked a departure from the $60 norm established during the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 era. He also argues that, when adjusted for inflation, the $70 price tag for GTA VI is actually cheaper than previous installments.

Despite industry trends, many gamers will likely oppose such price increases, as they currently view game prices as at an all-time low in real terms. Ball emphasizes that development budgets are now at unprecedented levels, contributing to the push for higher game prices.

gamingGTA VIPricing