Redakcja Choose TV
Grand Theft Auto VI is set to be one of the biggest releases in the history of the industry, but according to analysts, many players may experience quite a shock when purchasing a console. Matt Piscatella from Circana warns that by the time the game is released, hardware prices may rise even further, with some models possibly costing around 1000 dollars. This is all due to rising production costs, memory issues, and the changing economic situation.
GTA 6 may force many players to purchase a very expensive console
The release of GTA 6 is scheduled for 19 November for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles. According to Piscatella, a huge number of more casual gamers still do not own current generation hardware and are planning to purchase it only at the time of the new GTA's release. However, the problem is that console prices are continually rising. The analyst points out that basic PS5 models have reached around $650 after recent price hikes. If there are further price increases for hardware, additional accessories, and the game itself, the cost of entering the new generation may be very high for many people. Piscatella believes that some customers may be quite shocked by the scale of the expenses needed to run GTA 6.
Consoles are increasingly becoming premium devices
According to Circana data, the console market has changed significantly in recent years. An increasing portion of customers are households with an income above $100,000 a year. The average price of gaming equipment has risen from around $250 in 2019 to over $500 currently. Piscatella points out that consoles are no longer a cheap way to play, and are increasingly resembling premium devices aimed at wealthier users. This could be particularly dangerous for future generations of consoles, such as the PS6 or the new Xbox, as potential prices in the range of $1,000-$1,200 could significantly limit the number of users. This, in turn, would make it difficult to recoup the massive production costs of modern AAA games.
The premiere of GTA 6 may turn out to be not only a major event for gamers but also a moment that highlights how much gaming equipment has become more expensive. Analysts warn that further price increases for consoles could severely limit the availability of the new generation for the average consumer.
source: wccftech
