'Not all games are created equal' – Original Saints Row developer says GTA 6 is 'worth' $100
Blog Andrew Joseph 16 Oct , 2025 0
due to debate over price grand theft auto 6 Outraged, one of the developers of the original Saints Row (itself heavily inspired by GTA) says he wants Rockstar to charge $100 for it, insisting it's the only game in the world he can get away with.
Strauss Zelnick, the boss of Rockstar parent company Take-Two, is often asked how much Rockstar will charge for what is expected to be the biggest entertainment launch ever. Zelnick circles around the question every time he's asked, pointing to creating value for customers.
Recently, the industry's pricing for some games has jumped from $70 to $80, further intensifying the pressure to review. If Nintendo charges $80 for a Nintendo Switch 2 game like Mario Kart World, and Microsoft jumps to $80 for its games starting next year after backdating this year, as many expected, then it will be hard to get GTA 6 priced any cheaper.
Fans are often reluctant to spend $100 on GTA 6. But according to Chris Stockman, the design director of the first Saints Row game, Grand Theft Auto 6 is “worth” $100.
during an interview Esports InsiderStockman responded to suggestions that GTA 6 would be the first $100 video game.
“They're the only ones who can get away with it,” Stockman said. “I don't think a rising tide lifts all boats. I think if everyone moved to $100, there would be a huge rally.” Not all games are created equal. I think GTA is the only game that can get away with this, and I hope they do. I really wish it was $100. I think it's worth $100.
“The scope and scale of this production is worth the price tag, but not everything is treated equally. It would be a disaster if everyone tried to match them.”
Stockman said the sheer scope of GTA 6 will be greater than any previous video game. Of course, it's rumored to have the largest development budget ever. Rockstar has shown off almost nothing about the game, so it's unclear how big and diverse the experience will be. But it seems like a safe bet that, barring the worst disaster in video game history, GTA 6 will rewrite the record books for critical and commercial acclaim.
But is the world ready to jump to $100? Earlier this year, Epyllion CEO and analyst Matthew Ball proposed a $100 GTA 6 at a conference. A lengthy introduction to the state of gaming in 2025. near End of presentationBall said, “Some game makers hope to price GTA 6 at $80 to $100 to break the $70 mark and help $50 games rise to $60, $60 to $70, $70 to $80, etc.”
“Despite historically high budgets and stagnant player growth, packaged games have never been cheaper in real terms,” Ball wrote. “GTA 6 could re-establish video game prices after decades of deflation, despite significant cost increases.”
However, other analysts poured cold water on the $100 recommendation.saying that “GTA 6” is so exciting that there is no need to limit the game's potential audience through pricing.
In fact, recently published research claims If Rockstar spent $100 for GTA 6, it would actually cost the company moneythe income “sweet spot” is still $70.
Price is just one of the many unanswered questions surrounding GTA 6. Another question is what Rockstar plans to do with GTA Online. Can the company charge more for GTA Online? Will it be a standalone free download? Can Rockstar sell subscriptions? Will Rockstar and Take-Two really make GTA Online available for free like before?
Hopefully we'll have answers soon. GTA 6 will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S on May 26, 2026.
Wesley is IGN News Director. Find him on Twitter: @wyp100. You can contact Wesley at [email protected] or privately at [email protected].