GTA 6: development costs and release information

The development of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is one of the most expensive in video game history, with costs estimated between $1 billion and $1.5 billion. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two, called GTA 6 a "durable enterprise" in interviews about the project’s progress.

Cost comparison with other titles

To put GTA 6’s massive spending into perspective, it helps to look at the development budgets of other major titles from recent years. Horizon Forbidden West, for example, reportedly cost $212 million to develop over five years, with around 300 people working on the project. The Last of Us Part 2 also carried a substantial budget of $220 million with a team of roughly 200 developers. Meanwhile, Bungie’s Marathon reboot is said to have had a budget of around $200 million.

GTA 6’s estimated costs stand out sharply in comparison, highlighting just how much Rockstar and Take-Two are willing to invest in this long-awaited sequel.

GTA 6’s future price

Beyond the game’s development costs, there has also been speculation about how much Rockstar and Take-Two will charge for GTA 6. At one point, it was suggested the game could retail for around $100. During an April discussion, Zelnick said it is the company’s job to "ask for much less than the value delivered." He described the challenge of creating "the most spectacular piece of entertainment in history" as a "daunting challenge."

Release schedule

The official release date for GTA 6 is set for 19 November 2026, and the game will be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The target date has been making headlines, given the huge expectations from both players and shareholders for the next chapter in the popular series.

With the current information on GTA 6’s development costs and pricing strategy, it looks like Rockstar Games and Take-Two are preparing for one of the biggest launches in gaming.