Grand Theft Auto 6‘s $100 Ultimate Edition is outselling its cheaper $80 counterpart ahead of launch. That’s according to Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick, who told CNBC’s Squawk Pod that pre-order demand for the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition has skewed toward the premium tier. It’s a reversal of the usual pattern, where cheaper options tend to sell in higher volume.
“Actually, it is skewing more to the premium edition,” Zelnick said when asked how the two versions compare. He linked the trend to the loyalty of longtime Rockstar Games fans. Many have followed the Grand Theft Auto series since Grand Theft Auto 5 arrived nearly 13 years ago, waiting years for a sequel.
“But that might be a reflection of the fact that the most avid consumers are the ones who are pre-ordering,” Zelnick explained. Standard Edition buyers pay $80 for the base game. The Ultimate Edition costs $100 and adds extra in-game content on top of it.
Why the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition costs more
Zelnick kept his description of the price gap simple: buyers “get additional content” with the Ultimate Edition compared with the Standard release. He did not itemize every inclusion. He did confirm the content is digital only and does not affect gameplay balance. It also does not come with physical collectibles, unlike some past special editions from other publishers that bundled steelbooks or figurines.
That framing puts the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition closer to a cosmetic and convenience bundle than a pay-to-win upgrade. Players choosing the pricier tier are not buying an advantage in missions or online modes. They are paying for additional digital extras layered on top of the same core game every Standard Edition buyer receives.
The pattern lines up with how Rockstar’s fan base has behaved before past launches. Players who have waited almost 13 years since the last mainline entry appear willing to pay more upfront, rather than wait for reviews or gameplay footage first. Zelnick’s comments suggest Take-Two reads that willingness as brand loyalty, not pricing pressure.
What happens after launch is still unclear
Zelnick did not say whether the split between the two editions will hold once GTA 6 reaches stores. He also did not address how a future PC release might change buying habits. Rockstar has confirmed console availability but has not given a release window for a PC version. Pre-order patterns for console-first launches do not always carry over once a wider platform rollout begins.
For now, the early sales figures suggest the most dedicated segment of Grand Theft Auto’s audience is also the most willing to spend on it. Take-Two will be watching whether the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition keeps outselling the Standard version once the game reaches a broader pool of buyers. Reviews and word of mouth tend to factor more heavily into purchases once the pre-order window closes.