Direct game sales are only one piece of the puzzle. Rumors of a $100 price tag stem from the game’s staggering development costs, which have accumulated over more than a decade. Modern AAA titles face immense pressure to recoup expenses, and a project of Rockstar’s scale represents the absolute peak of industry spending.
Vermeij predicts that GTA 6 will likely be the most expensive game ever produced, though he believes it may also be the last of its kind to hit such heights. “My theory is that GTA 6 will remain the most expensive production because AI will eventually handle much of the repetitive work that currently requires massive teams of artists,” he notes.
“The primary cost driver is the art team, which can account for roughly 70% of a game’s budget,” Vermeij continues. He suggests that AI and procedural generation—rules-based systems that create assets—will eventually streamline these tasks. “Whether it’s environment assets or motion capture for large crowds, there’s no reason AI couldn’t eventually take over those labor-intensive processes.”
While the implementation of generative AI remains a controversial topic within the industry, its potential to manage costs is clear. For fans, however, the most immediate takeaway is one of pragmatic optimism: you likely won’t have to pay a premium price when the next Grand Theft Auto finally hits the shelves.
Related: Former Rockstar developer doubts further GTA 6 delays, expects hype to stabilize.
Source: gamesradar.com
