Price hikes may be coming for some of gaming's biggest upcoming titles, with pre-order listings suggesting a $79.99 standard—matching the rumored price of Grand Theft Auto 6.
The Rising Cost of AAA Gaming
A new $80 price point appears to be emerging for major AAA releases, following early pre-order listings for titles like Grand Theft Auto 6. While the current industry standard for new games sits at approximately $69.99, rising development costs are widely cited as the driving force behind this increase.
For context, GTA 6 is reportedly set at a base price of around $80, with its Ultimate Edition reaching $100.
Games Speculated to Cost $80 or More
Several highly anticipated titles are now being linked to this higher price bracket, according to reports and unconfirmed listings:
- Persona 6 – A large, occult-themed JRPG reportedly targeting a September 2027 release.
- Pokémon Winds and Waves – Unconfirmed reports list physical copies at $79.99. This 10th-generation entry is expected to feature an open world on the Switch 2.
- The Witcher 4 – Planned for a 2027 release, built in Unreal Engine 5, and expected to be larger than The Witcher 3.
- Final Fantasy 7 Revelation – The finale of the FF7 remake series, featuring a larger world, new characters, and new systems.
- Tomb Raider: Catalyst – A fully open-world title set for 2027, featuring a veteran Lara Croft and powered by Unreal Engine 5.
This potential shift signals a new standard for blockbuster game pricing, as publishers look to offset ballooning production costs in an increasingly competitive market.