Warhorse Studios co-founder Martin Klima believes that Grand Theft Auto 6 may pave the way for an industry-wide increase in game prices. Klima, whose studio is developing Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, stated in an interview that the rising costs of game development coupled with a plateauing audience have put the industry in a precarious position.
"We destroyed retail, and we took all their money," Klima told PC Gamer, referencing the shift to digital storefronts. He posited that increasing the price of games is the "last thing" developers can do to improve cash flow without resorting to microtransactions. While acknowledging that developers are hesitant to raise prices, Klima expressed hope that Rockstar Games' highly anticipated title will "blaze the trail."
Klima specifically called out Rockstar Games and its parent company Take-Two, suggesting they are in a unique position to "afford, or who can dare, to increase the price of games." He described this as "long overdue and also necessary for this business to survive," wishing them success.
In some territories, such as the US, Grand Theft Auto 6's Standard Edition is priced at $79.99, a $10 increase over many other recent blockbuster titles. The Ultimate Edition is listed at $99.99. While GTA 6 is expected to be a massive launch, the market's acceptance of an $80 price point remains uncertain. Klima recalled Xbox's attempt to launch The Outer Worlds 2 at $80, a move that was later reversed, with the game releasing at the more standard $70 price.
Despite his optimism for the economic implications, Klima admitted he does not personally understand GTA's enduring popularity. "It beats me. It's something which I just fail to understand," he said, though he acknowledged the creation of "technologically marvels."
Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19. Recent reports indicate the game may include full-on sex scenes, a first for the series, while Rockstar faces an employment tribunal in Scotland over accusations of union-busting.