This week, Rockstar Games introduced a new price increase for its GTA+ subscription service, causing unrest among the Grand Theft Auto VI community and gamers at large. As the cost of gaming continues to climb—with AAA games now frequently tagged at £70 and subscription services like PlayStation Plus upping their fees—the latest increase from one of the industry’s giants has struck a nerve.
Rockstar, known for its massively successful Grand Theft Auto franchise, has raised the monthly fee for GTA+, which provides players with exclusive access to GTA Online perks and a selection of free games. The service’s price on both Xbox and PlayStation platforms has surged by 33 percent, from £4.99 ($5.99) to £6.99 ($7.99). Notably, this price adjustment was not accompanied by any formal announcement from Rockstar, but was instead first spotted by a Reddit user under the handle mercadess550owner.
The price hike has been poorly received within the Grand Theft Auto community. Many fans are concerned that this could be a precursor to further increases when GTA VI eventually launches. “I’m calling it, that shit is going to be $10 or more when GTA VI drops,” one Reddit user speculated.
Another fan expressed concern over the potential future monetization of GTA VI online, anticipating a model where the game might be “free to play” but heavily dependent on a subscription or battle pass system. “Worst case expectation is it won’t be free to play, but they’ll keep the subscription or battle pass. Either way, my expectations for them to do the right thing with online are basically zero,” they commented.
The community’s backlash reflects a broader sentiment among gamers who are increasingly frustrated with the rising costs associated with their hobby. While some fans acknowledge their willingness to pay more than $70 for a complete, standalone GTA VI game, there’s a growing apprehension that future content might be fragmented and hidden behind additional paywalls. This development paints a complex picture of a gaming world grappling with the balance between business profitability and consumer satisfaction.
- Reladyne Nova 1050 Engine: Starfield - April 30, 2024
- Reladyne Nova 1040 Engine: Starfield - April 30, 2024
- Reladyne Supernova 2000 Engine: Starfield - April 30, 2024
