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Grand Theft Auto VI is expected 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 prices for hardware could rise even further before the game's release, with some models potentially costing around 1000 dollars. This is all due to increasing 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 the current generation of equipment and plan to make a purchase only with the release of the new GTA. The problem is that console prices are continuously rising. The analyst reminds us that the base models of the PS5 are already reaching around $650 after recent price increases. If there are further price hikes for the equipment, additional accessories, and the game itself, the cost of entering the new generation could be very high for many people. Piscatella believes that some customers may be greatly surprised by the scale of expenses needed to launch GTA 6.
Consoles are increasingly becoming premium hardware
According to Circana's data, the console market has changed significantly in recent years. An increasing share of customers consists of households with an income exceeding 100,000 dollars a year. The average price of gaming equipment has risen from around 250 dollars in 2019 to over 500 dollars currently. Piscatella points out that consoles are no longer a cheap way to play, but are becoming more and more like 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 at the level of 1000-1200 dollars could significantly limit the number of users. This, in turn, would make it difficult to recoup the enormous production costs of modern AAA games.
The premiere of GTA 6 could 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 significantly limit the availability of the new generation for the average consumer.
source: wccftech
