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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 by the time the game is released, hardware prices may rise even further, with some models potentially 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 November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles. According to Piscatella, a huge number of more casual players still do not own current generation hardware and plan to buy it only with the release of the new GTA. The problem is that console prices are continually rising. The analyst points out that the basic PS5 models, after recent price hikes, are already reaching around $650. If there are further hardware price increases, 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 greatly surprised by the scale of expenditures needed to run GTA 6.
Consoles are increasingly becoming premium equipment
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 per 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 game, and are increasingly resembling premium devices aimed at wealthier users. This could be particularly dangerous for future console generations, 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 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 showcasing 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
