This is also informed by an awareness that scope, fidelity, and scale are differentiators for large studios and publishers, as the barrier to entry for making (albeit not necessarily making money on) smaller games keeps falling due to improved development tools and other factors.

On one hand, you could argue that the $60 or $70 price point simply isn’t practical for a single-player game of the budget and scope of GTA6. However, that also presumes that the initial purchase is the game’s only revenue stream. Although the title will launch with just single-player, it’s expected to get a robust multiplayer service with subscriptions, in-game purchases, and more, so that initial purchase is definitely not the game’s only revenue stream.

Demand for this game is so high that many players will likely be willing to pay the relatively steep launch price.

Keep in mind that this does not necessarily herald an $80 price point for all future AAA games. At least for the immediate future, other games in this category will probably still launch at $70. We’ll see how long it stays that way, though.

The industry has already been experimenting with a range of prices reflecting each game’s level of investment. For example, AA games—titles with modern 3D graphics but with a smaller scope and no ambition of pushing the envelope in a competitive way—often launch at $50.

GTA6 is scheduled to launch on current-generation PlayStation and Xbox consoles on November 19, with download preloading starting on November 12. The retail version of the game will go on sale on November 12 as well, so those who want to buy the physical box won’t have to wait for a big download on launch day. A PC version is expected, but has not yet been given a date.