Could Trump-era tariffs make GTA 6 the costliest game ever? New reports suggest so

#Tech Desk
GTA VI | Photo: X/Rockstar Games
GTA VI | Photo: X/Rockstar Games

The GTA community has been riding a wave of excitement over Grand Theft Auto VI, but lately, the chatter has shifted gears. Instead of talking about gameplay or storylines, fans are now worried about the price. Rumours about how much the game might cost have sparked concern across forums and social media. And with whispers of a higher-than-usual price tag, some players are starting to wonder if trade tariffs from Donald Trump’s presidency could be partly to blame.

Speculation intensified after a leaked listing from a Swiss retailer pegged the game's pre-order price at $112 USD, roughly ₹9,600. This figure is notably higher than the usual $70 asking price for next-generation games. Although the listing was swiftly taken down, screenshots made their way to online forums, fuelling widespread debate among the gaming community.

The question on many fans' minds is what could justify such a sharp increase in cost. One theory making the rounds points to tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump. These trade policies, which impacted various goods including electronics and imports, may have led to increased production and distribution expenses for game developers. If publishers decide to pass these costs onto consumers, GTA 6 could be one of the first blockbuster titles to reflect those financial pressures.

Further leaked listings have hinted at a variety of regional price points for the upcoming title. These include $114.99 in the United States, £99.99 in the United Kingdom, and €104.99 across Europe. Each of these figures represents a substantial rise compared to what players paid for GTA 5 when it launched.

Rockstar Games has not confirmed any official pricing details as of now. However, the circulating leaks have left fans concerned that a price hike could be imminent.