Grand Theft Auto 6 fans are pre-ordering the Ultimate Edition for $100 more than the standard edition of the game. In an interview with CNBC, Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Rockstar’s parent company Take-Two Interactive, revealed that people are buying the Ultimate Edition of GTA 6 more than the cheaper standard edition. However, he noted that it may be partly a result of die-hard fans pre-ordering the game at this time. “It’s actually leaning more toward the premium edition,” Zelnick said when the interviewer suggested that pre-order numbers may be the same for both editions. “That could be a reflection of the fact that the most avid consumers are those who are pre-ordering now.” Zelnick was also asked about Christmas discounts, as GTA 6 will be released just before Black Friday and Christmas. While he couldn’t offer any guarantees, as retailers can make their own decisions about holiday sales, he noted that GTA 5 prices have remained firm for years. As a result, fans probably shouldn’t expect huge discounts on the game for the foreseeable future. “We obviously set our prices and the stores can do whatever they want,” he said. “We don’t have any ability to control that. So if they reduce their price, they reduce their sales margin. There are situations where certain retailers lower the price to drive demand for other things that they will sell. I can’t tell you what will happen. I will tell you that we held our prices on Grand Theft Auto 5 for a long time, much longer than a standard release of an entertainment property.” GTA 6 pricing has been a hot topic since pre-orders opened in June. The standard edition of the game costs $80, $10 more than other games typically charge. For those who want everything the game has to offer, you can pay a $100 premium for the Ultimate Edition, which includes exclusive digital content. Zelnick told IGN last week that he believes the game’s price reflects its value, going so far as to call the price a “bargain” since Rockstar Games is known for its over-delivery. Zelnick also addressed the controversy surrounding the game’s lack of an actual puck, noting that a true physical release after release is not entirely out of the question. However, he doesn’t see the lack of a disc as something that could hurt the game’s sales. Grand Theft Auto 6 will have its first “extended appearance” later this month on Netflix, followed by a staggered release on YouTube and social media platforms. Zelnick himself has touted the release as something fans will want to tune in to, but has declined to give even a shred of details about what it might entail. Some fans are frustrated that the deep dive will initially be paid for, but as noted, it will be available to everyone on YouTube six hours later on August 27. Cade Onder is a freelancer on IGN’s news team. Covers everything related to entertainment including games, movies and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.
