Analysts: $80 for AAA Games Will Become the New Market Standard

S&P Global Market Intelligence analyst Neil Barbour believes that $80 for GTA VI could be a starting point for price increases in other major AAA series, including Call of Duty, NBA 2K, and EA sports games.

According to him, game development is becoming increasingly expensive, and publishers are gradually raising the cost of major releases. Nintendo was the first to move to $80 with Mario Kart, and GTA VI will receive a similar price. Barbour believes this paves the way for further changes in the market.

Other experts are more cautious. Joost van Dreunen noted that $80 would only be the price for top-tier quality games.

According to him, only companies like Rockstar, Nintendo, and EA will be able to maintain a premium price tag in an oversaturated market.

So far, no major publisher has officially announced a move to $80.