GTA 6: Take-Two CEO Rejects Criticism Over Digital-Only Launch and $80 Price

Few games are generating as much buzz for 2026 as Grand Theft Auto VI – and this time, the discussion isn't about gameplay, but money. During the latest earnings call for Take-Two Interactive, CEO Strauss Zelnick personally addressed two of the biggest controversies surrounding the release: the digital-only launch without a physical disc in the standard package, and the $80 price tag.

Why GTA 6 Is Launching Digital-Only

Criticism regarding the lack of a disc version has accompanied GTA 6 since the announcement of its Standard Edition. Zelnick made no secret of it during the call: according to him, over 90 percent of Take-Two's revenue already comes from digital sales, making a physical version for the mass market increasingly less economically viable. However, Zelnick says those who absolutely want a disc won't be left entirely empty-handed – he didn't categorically rule out a physical variant in the future, but made no concrete promises.

What the $80 Price Tag Really Means

The second point of contention: the price. At $80, the Standard Edition of GTA 6 exceeds the previous AAA standard of $70, which titles like Mario Kart World recently established. Zelnick refutes accusations of price gouging, calling the price an 'incredible bargain' given the scope and production costs. Take-Two is not trying to maximize profit, he says, but to offer fair value. As proof that many fans still agree with the pricing, he cites pre-order numbers: they are 'unprecedented, astonishing, astronomical.'

From our perspective, this case primarily shows one thing: the debate surrounding GTA 6 is so heated that even a company CEO is specifically addressing community criticism during an investor call – a new level of directness. At the same time, the $80 price tag falls in line with an industry-wide trend we've observed with other major titles: rising development costs are increasingly being passed on to players, while publishers simultaneously try to justify this with an exceptionally large scope. Whether GTA 6 can pull off this balancing act will only become clear after release.

For those following the context of the release: We have already reported on the criticism regarding the Netflix exclusivity of the upcoming Extended Look, as well as the planned premiere of the Extended Look on August 27th.

Source: Forbes, GamesRadar+, Consequence

What do you think about $80 for GTA 6 – a fair deal or too expensive? Let us know in the comments!