Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive Software sure set the gaming news world on fire today with word that Grand Theft Auto 6 will retail at a minimum of $80. Not only will there be the base $79.99 edition for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, but there will also be a Grand Theft Auto 6: Ultimate Edition for $99.99 that adds in exclusive content.
Right out of the gate, we are told that Grand Theft Auto 6 will be single-player only. Well, at least for launch. As some may recall, GTA Online for Grand Theft Auto 5 did not release until about a month after the base game was out on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Rockstar does say that all digital pre-orders of GTA 6 will get a month of GTA+. However, that month of GTA+ can be redeemed at any point and they only mention Grand Theft Auto V "and other classic Rockstar titles as part of the GTA+ Games Library."
The real elephant in the room is, of course, the price. The base edition of Grand Theft Auto 6 is $79.99. At this price, you get the game and a Vintage Vice City Pack if you pre-order the game digitally. This pre-order pack includes the aforementioned free month of GTA+ and an unspecified "collection of items that flash back to when the neon burned brightest."
An Ultimate Edition is also available for $99.99. This edition adds in "an exclusive collection of premium vehicles, weapons, apparel, and action threaded across all aspects of Jason and Lucia's story." Locking non-cosmetic content behind a heightened paywall is already not sitting well with fans. Items such as the exclusive vehicles and weapons do have direct impacts on gameplay.
It also isn't clear what is meant by "exclusive(...) action threaded across all aspects of Jason and Lucia's story." Does this mean that there will be exclusive missions for the $100 edition? Exclusive interactions? It's extremely vague wording, perhaps intentionally so.
From what is said in today's announcement, entire in-game shops are locked behind the extra cost. Here is a rundown of some of the added shops and items in the $100 edition.
- RIDEOUT CUSTOMS: Transform vanilla vehicles into magnificent works of art with detailed interiors, exquisite rims, and donk stylings. Only open for business with the Ultimate Edition
- SARA'S UNISEX SALON: Get signature salon styles for both Jason and Lucia, including facial hair for Jason and makeup and nails for Lucia. Only open for business with the Ultimate Edition
- STOCK 305: Style various unique and exclusive looks for Jason and Lucia at Stockyard’s premiere destination for elevated streetwear. Only open for business with the Ultimate Edition.
- ELECTRIC FANG TATTOO: Stockyard’s most iconic ink bar, with over 50 signature tattoos for both Jason and Lucia — all designed by the artist collective FAILE. Only open for business with the Ultimate Edition
- ONE-EYED WILLIE’S: This mod shop in Lake Leonida specializes in off-road modifications and hand-painted automotive artistry. Only open for business with the Ultimate Edition.
Pre-orders on the digital versions go live on June 25. Pre-loading begins on November 12, 2026 and release is on November 19, 2026. The "physical" edition will hit retailers on November 12, 2026 which will make sure you are able to use that included download code to pre-load the game ahead of its release on the 19th.
Included below are new screenshots for content included in the Ultimate Edition and the Vintage Vice City Pack.
About Grand Theft Auto VI
Vice City, USA. Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a conspiracy stretching across the state of Leonida — forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive.
Vice City, USA. Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a conspiracy stretching across the state of Leonida — forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive.
Apparently Canadian retailer PNP Games is running a petition where they'll send it to Take Two Interactive if they hit 10,000.
While I understand it's a drop in the bucket and the likelihood of Take Two giving a $#!+ is none, I do want to mention this as one of the more active ways of backlashing versus doing nothing and bending over with your pants down. It's ultimately nothing, but... I don't want Take Two Interactive proving what the game industry always wanted to do. Remedy tried to do it with Alan Wake 2, and Bethesda half @$$ed it with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
GTA VI will succeed no matter what. But I'm hoping the backlash is loud enough to make other publishers reconsider going digital only at physical MSRPs. Hoping... Not expecting. And yes I know the petition is because it affects retailers who rely on physical sales and trading games. I know it's a business decision. In this case, we have a common enemy. Killing physical games.
I know we're not part of the Canadian market, and Take Two doesn't care for the Canadian market, but I hope you'll still consider this (they do international online sales on their website), or mention other petitions that are a slight step above screaming into the void (unlike the vast majority of petitions with... 45 signatures).
Edit: Hmm... I had a feeling someone would use Change.org, but with less than 2000 signatures..........Oof, even worse than a drop in the bucket. Oh boy...