GTA 6 delay and Xbox’s $80 pricing move hint at premium price for Rockstar’s next hit

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 3, 2025, 01:46 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Rockstar Games delays Grand Theft Auto VI launch to May 2026. The company cites need for more development time. Microsoft increases Xbox game prices to $80. This action hints at a potential price hike for GTA 6. Rising development costs and fan expectations contribute to this trend. Fans express mixed reactions to the delay.

GTA 6 delay and Xbox’s $80 pricing move hint at premium price for Rockstar’s next hit

Source: Rockstar Games

Rockstar Games has officially pushed back the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) to May 26, 2026, citing the requirement of extra development time to fulfill fans' demands and maintain high quality. This comes at a time when industry-wide price hikes are being experienced, as Microsoft recently hiked Xbox game prices to $80. These incidents indicate that GTA 6 could be released with a price higher than the established $70 standard.

GTA 6 delay and Xbox's $80 price move suggest Rockstar's next big hit to cost premium price

Rockstar Games has officially confirmed the delay of GTA 6 from its initially scheduled Fall 2025 release to May 2026. The company appreciated the continued support of the community and apologized for the delay, reiterating that it is still their aim to exceed expectations.

At the same time, Microsoft Gaming announced on May 1, 2025, that video game prices will rise to $80 by year's end, the first big price increase since 2020. This action is creating a new industry standard and opens up the potential for Rockstar to charge GTA 6 above the old $70 ceiling.

Industry trends and fan expectations

The gaming market has experienced a trend of rising game costs, mirroring the growing development expenses and the need for expansive, high-quality gaming experiences. Microsoft's move to increase Xbox game costs to $80 supports this trend. Based on Rockstar's track record of producing expansive, high-quality games, it's likely that GTA 6 will carry a greater price tag.
Fans have reacted with mixed feelings to these developments. While some are upset at the delay, many welcome Rockstar's dedication to quality. The hype for GTA 6 continues to be high, with hopes that the game will provide a revolutionary experience that warrants its possible premium price.
The postponement of GTA 6 until May 2026, combined with Microsoft's decision to raise the price of games to $80, is an indicator of change in the gaming world's pricing paradigm. With the increasing cost of development and expectations for quality content, it's more likely that GTA 6 will come out at a premium price tag. Though this is perhaps an issue of debate for some, most fans are still looking forward to what is shaping up to be a milestone release in the gaming universe.
Also Read: GTA 6 delayed to May 2026, and Take-Two boss promises it will exceed expectations and redefine blockbusters

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article