Rockstar Games has officially opened pre-orders for "Grand Theft Auto VI," setting the standard edition's price at $80—a $10 increase over the typical $70 for AAA console titles. The Ultimate Edition, which includes exclusive missions, store content, and more, is priced at $100.
In response to player criticism over the price hike, Strauss Zelnick, CEO of parent company Take-Two, recently stressed that Rockstar's pricing is determined by the value offered, not by a desire to charge the highest possible price.
In an interview with IGN, Zelnick stated, "Our goal has always been to deliver value that far exceeds what consumers pay, and we believe we're certainly doing that with this price."
"Of course, for those who want more, we have a higher-end choice. And even with that version, we believe we're pricing it in a way that will deliver value that far exceeds what consumers pay," he added.
Zelnick also clarified that the $80 price point does not mean all future Take-Two titles will follow suit, noting that pricing will remain on a "title-by-title basis." As an example, he pointed to the upcoming "Mafia: The Old Country" from 2K, which will sell for $50.
During a Q&A session on a Take-Two earnings call, Zelnick further defended the price of "GTA 6." He argued, "The truth is, if you think about the real cost, the price of a frontline video game for a consumer is much, much lower than it was 20 years ago. The price of games has not caught up with inflation."
"To say that 'Grand Theft Auto VI' will be an extraordinary bargain as an entertainment experience would be a wild understatement, because Rockstar Games is known for delivering more than consumers expect," he emphasized.
"Our goal is not to price-maximize," Zelnick concluded. "So in this instance, I think we've made a decision that is very reasonable in light of the experience that we're actually delivering to consumers."
via： IGN