Rockstar Games has opened pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6, with prices starting at a minimum of $80, a move that has drawn criticism due to the lack of any released gameplay footage. This decision comes despite years of anticipation, leaks, and speculation surrounding the highly anticipated title.
While the $70 price point for AAA games has become more common in recent years, and some publishers like Nintendo have already introduced $80 titles, the simultaneous launch of pre-orders and an $80 minimum price for GTA 6, coupled with an "Ultimate Edition" priced at $100, has been met with disappointment by many.
To date, Rockstar has released two trailers for GTA 6. The initial trailer was a 90-second reveal, followed by a three-minute trailer focusing on protagonists Lucia and Jason. The accompanying promotional materials, including dozens of images, have largely consisted of cinematic shots, character artwork, and promotional art, rather than actual gameplay. This leaves players with no direct view of the game in action, beyond previously leaked, unverified footage.
Despite the general understanding of how Grand Theft Auto games typically play, the absence of concrete gameplay demonstrations before opening pre-orders is seen by some as a sign of arrogance from Rockstar, implying the game's immense popularity makes it impervious to such criticisms. The lack of a gameplay trailer also raises concerns for PC players, as the release date for the PC version remains unconfirmed, mirroring potential future treatment of the platform.
This situation has led to frustration among potential buyers who feel compelled to invest a significant sum without having seen the game played, drawing parallels to the in-game experiences of theft and robbery that the series is known for.