According to a financial analyst, President Donald Trump’s global tariffs could potentially influence the pricing of the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI. On Friday (May 2), Rockstar Games confirmed the game’s release will be postponed to next year, amid ongoing fan speculations.
“Grand Theft Auto VI is now set to release on May 26, 2026,” Rockstar Games announced on Instagram.
“We are very sorry that this is later than you expected. The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team. We want to thank you for your support and your patience as we work to finish the game.
“With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.
“We look forward to sharing more information with you soon. Sincerely, Rockstar.”
Fans expressed disappointment at the delay, while others hoped the extended development time would enhance the game’s quality. Despite the release date confirmation, the game’s pricing remains unknown.
When GTA V launched in September 2013, it was priced at $59.99 for the standard edition on most platforms, $79.99 for a Special Edition, and $150 for an exclusive GameStop edition. It achieved an impressive $800 million in revenue on its first day, as reported by Variety. The game reached $1 billion in revenue in just three days.
Current political developments in the US have led to questions about whether they could affect the upcoming release’s price. Trump’s changing tariff policies could potentially impact electronics, imports, and associated production and distribution costs.
Higher tariffs might lead to increased costs for consumers.
Rachel Harris, accountant and financial expert, spoke to UNILAD: “While it might sound far-fetched that Trump-era tariffs could influence the price of GTA VI, there is some logic behind the speculation.
“Tariffs on Chinese electronics and components, many of which are used in gaming consoles and accessories can lead to higher production and distribution costs globally.
“If hardware costs go up, game publishers may adjust pricing models to protect their profit margins.”
One analyst theorizes that GTA VI might cost as much as $100. Michael Pachter, managing director of equity research at Wedbush Securities, stated: “We think the company has plans to sell the game at a previously unheard of price point, and suspect that management can offer consumers an incentive to pay $100 or more per unit by rewarding them with a large amount of in-game currency to be spent in GTA Online.”
Additionally, a leaked listing from a Swiss retailer set the pre-order price at $112, though it was later removed.