GTA 6 might not be that costly after all, says former Rockstar Games developer

GTA 6 might not be that costly after all, says former Rockstar Games developer

If there is one thing that all GTA fans are worried about apart from GTA 6’s launch date, it is the price. The highly-awaited game is expected to cost more than one would typically expect and for the longest time, the reported cost was around USD 100 (roughly Rs 9,000). But as per latest reports, that might not be the case. A former Rockstar Games developer has said that the game might not carry such a high price tag after all. He has also said that the game might be made using AI. Read on to know more.

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How much will GTA 6 cost?

According to Obbe Vermeij, a former technical director at Rockstar Games, GTA 6 is very unlikely to launch with a $100 standard edition. Speaking in a recent interview with GamesHub, Vermeij explained that Rockstar has never publicly hinted at such pricing, and that the idea largely stems from online speculation rather than insider confirmation. He also added that according to him, Rockstar’s long-term business strategy makes a higher entry price unnecessary. Much like previous releases, GTA 6 is expected to feature a substantial online component, which allows the company to generate revenue for years after launch through in-game purchases.

Rather than limiting its audience with a steep upfront cost, Rockstar would benefit more from keeping the base game aligned with the current $70 industry standard. A larger player base means a healthier online ecosystem and stronger post-launch monetisation. Vermeij suggested that charging an extra $30 upfront would make little sense when recurring revenue from GTA Online-style experiences can far outweigh initial sales. While premium or deluxe editions priced higher remain a possibility, the core message is reassuring for fans. GTA 6 does not appear poised to redefine game pricing in the way many feared.

The role of AI

While Vermeij downplayed pricing concerns, he was far more candid about GTA 6’s development scale. The game is widely believed to have a budget approaching $2 billion, potentially making it the most expensive video game ever produced. According to him, the biggest cost in modern game development is not technology but manpower, particularly artists. He estimated that around 70 percent of a game’s budget goes into art-related work, much of which involves repetitive and time-consuming tasks.

This is where AI and procedural generation come into play. Vermeij said that Rockstar could lean heavily on these tools to automate monotonous work such as rigging animation skeletons, fixing collision meshes, generating lower level-of-detail assets, and building repetitive environments like alleyways and interiors. Even large-scale crowd animations, traditionally handled through expensive motion capture sessions, could increasingly be supported by AI-driven systems. He also made it clear that the goal here is not to replace creative talent but to make individual developers more productive.

“My theory is that GTA VI will be the most expensive game ever developed and it will remain that way because AI is going to take up a lot of the monotonous work that artists have to do,” he said in the interview.

GTA 6 delayed again?

The launch date of GTA 6 has seen a lot of changes and until now, November 19, 2026, was said to be the day we get to experience the game. However, in the last few days, rumours of yet another delay began surfacing online.

Social media was full of rumours about yet another GTA 6 launch date delay and many fans seemed to believe the news. But it is worth noting that there hasn’t been an official confirmation about the same. So for now, the delay isn’t official and it looks more of a rumour than a fact.

Also read: 007 First Light now set to release when GTA 6 was originally expected: All we know

Divyanshi Sharma

Divyanshi Sharma

Divyanshi Sharma is a media and communications professional with over 8 years of experience in the industry. With a strong background in tech journalism, she has covered everything from the latest gadgets to gaming trends and brings a sharp editorial lens to every story. She holds a master’s diploma in mass communication and a bachelor’s degree in English literature. Her love for writing and gaming began early—often skipping classes to try out the latest titles—which naturally evolved into a career at the intersection of technology and storytelling. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her exploring virtual worlds on her console or PC, or testing out a new laptop she managed to get her hands on. View Full Profile

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