Rockstar Gets Its Way: Most GTA VI Pre-Orders Are for the $100 Edition Despite Criticism and Boycotts

Despite pushback from the community over Rockstar’s controversial marketing decisions, the reality remains that GTA VI is a cultural entertainment phenomenon that transcends gaming that is practically guaranteed to succeed commercially.

This upcoming launch also offers data of current consumer spending habits, and the data does not bode well for those who had hoped that criticism and boycotts would have an effect.

Take-Two Interactive’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, recently disclosed that pre-order figures have surpassed internal expectations and have also shown a clear preference for the pricier edition of the game.

Players Prefer the $100 Edition of GTA VI

With only a few months remaining until the release of GTA VI, widely regarded as the most anticipated video game in history, public interest has extended well beyond gaming.

In the weeks leading up to launch, Zelnick has become one of the most closely watched executives in the entertainment industry. During a recent interview with CNBC, he offered interesting info about the game.

According to Zelnick, GTA VI pre-orders have significantly exceeded Take-Two and Rockstar’s initial projections. No figures were given, but he emphasized that the demand has been stronger than anticipated.

He also confirmed that the majority of pre-orders are for the Ultimate Edition, which carries a $100 price tag. However, he noted that this is probably due to the most excited players, rather than a change in consumer behavior.

Zelnick also stated that the company has no current plans to offer a holiday discount, reaffirming Take-Two’s intention to maintain the game’s launch price for an extended period.

Pre-Orders Show Players Prefer Ultimate Edition Despite Zelnick Downplaying the Phenomenon

Although Zelnick has downplayed the significance of the $100 edition’s popularity, insisting it does not reflect the average consumer’s spending habits, other market indicators suggest otherwise.

Earlier this month, TweakTown journalist Derek Strickland published a ranking of the most pre-ordered games across nine major markets on the PlayStation Store.

In the majority of those regions, GTA VI Ultimate Edition secured the top spot. Notably, the same pattern emerged for premium versions of other high-profile titles, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, NBA 2K27, EA Sports FC 27, NHL 27, as well as upcoming releases like Marvel’s Wolverine and Halo: Campaign Evolved.

Strickland observed that this trend points to a growing acceptance among players of prices that would have sparked significant outrage just a few years ago.