Rhys Elliott, a researcher at Alinea Analytics, believes that only a few highly anticipated titles like GTA 6 can support an $80 price point, but this price will not become the new standard for all AAA games. The game is set to launch on November 19, with the base edition priced at least at $80.
This price is $20 higher than Grand Theft Auto V, which launched at $60 in 2013, and $10 higher than many contemporary major AAA games. Elliott judges that demand for GTA 6 is highly inelastic; if its $80 base edition and $100 premium version achieve massive success, some publishers might interpret this as a signal that the market accepts price hikes.
However, he believes that the unique appeal of GTA 6 could lead the industry to draw incorrect conclusions. After spending $100 on one game, players will have less budget for other products. He suggests that the next major God of War title, Naughty Dog.exe's Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, future Forza titles, new releases from FromSoftware, and Hogwarts Legacy 2 have the potential to try an $80 price point, but this is merely an analyst's opinion.
Mid-sized AAA projects, smaller titles, and remasters may continue to be priced between $40 and $60. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered are priced at $50, while Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is priced at $60; lower prices can also help expand the audience. Inflation, stagnant wage growth, cost of living, and console prices will also affect players' ability to absorb game price increases.