Most GTA VI pre-orders are for the $100 edition, Take-Two CEO confirms
The $100 price tag for GTA VI isn't putting people off — it's actually the more popular choice. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed in a CNBC interview that the majority of players pre-ordering Grand Theft Auto VI are selecting the $99.99 Ultimate Edition over the $79.99 standard version. That's a $20 premium, and most buyers are taking it without hesitation.
The data backs up the broader picture. According to TechRadar, Newzoo tracking shows GTA VI generated $180 million in digital sales in its first week of pre-orders across the US and five major European markets — the strongest opening pre-order campaign ever recorded for any game.
The editions
The Standard Edition runs $79.99 in the US (£69.99 in the UK). The Ultimate Edition costs $99.99 ($89.99 in the UK) and adds exclusive vehicles, weapons, and tattoo parlor content not available in the base game. Every pre-order — at either price — also includes the Vintage Vice City Pack, a bundle of 1980s-themed items inspired by the original Vice City, as long as you buy before November 20.
One practical note: physical retail boxes at launch contain download codes only, not a disc. Pre-load begins November 12.
The claim in context
Zelnick was careful not to pop the champagne early. He acknowledged that pre-orders can still be cancelled and that the company won't celebrate until the game is in players' hands. His exact framing: "We never declare victory before it happens." Rockstar, he said, understands that no amount of hype removes the obligation to actually deliver.
The skepticism was warranted before pre-orders opened. Industry watchers had floated prices as high as $120 or even $200 for GTA VI. The confirmed $80 standard price landed well within normal AAA territory — comparable to Borderlands 4 and Doom: The Dark Ages — and the fear of an industry-wide price spiral hasn't materialized. Per GamesRadar, UK retailer EE is already bundling PS5 hardware with the game for savings of up to £51.98.
What's next
GTA VI launches November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. A detailed first look at gameplay is scheduled for August 27 on Netflix. No PC release date has been announced.
