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Will GTA 6’s Ultimate Edition be worth the extra cost? Here’s what it’ll come with
Grand Theft Auto VI's pricier $99.99 Ultimate Edition has attracted the vast majority of pre-orders so far, despite offering mostly cosmetic extras over the $79.99 Standard Edition. Engadget argues the extra $20 isn't worth rushing for, since the bonus content is minor and players can upgrade to the Ultimate Edition at any point after launch without missing out on early access, unlike past premium editions from other publishers.
The Ultimate Edition includes five exclusive shops, two extra side missions, three unique vehicles, weapon skins and outfit packs, though Rockstar says these are unlocked gradually through the story rather than available from day one. Sensor Tower data shows 88.5% of PlayStation and 90% of Xbox pre-orders are for the Ultimate Edition, a far higher share than the usual 10-20% for premium editions, though analysts expect this to even out closer to the November launch. Take-Two has not released official figures, but CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed pre-orders are "skewing more to the premium edition."
In short
- Nearly 90% of GTA 6 pre-orders are for the pricier Ultimate Edition
- Extras are mostly cosmetic shops, vehicles and side missions
- Players can upgrade to Ultimate Edition anytime after launch, no rush needed
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The Ultimate Edition may be worth the extra $20 to players who expect to spend a great deal of time in the game and value its exclusive shops, missions, vehicles and cosmetic items. Strong early demand suggests many buyers see those extras as part of a fuller launch experience, and paying more now may feel preferable to deciding later.
The case against
The Standard Edition offers the main game for less, while the Ultimate Edition’s additions are largely optional extras that unlock gradually rather than providing an immediate advantage. Since players can upgrade after launch, there appears to be little need to pay more in advance unless those specific bonuses matter to them.
Explained simply
Grand Theft Auto VI is the next instalment in Rockstar Games’ open-world crime series, in which players explore a fictional setting and follow a story through missions. Rockstar is part of Take-Two Interactive, whose chief executive is Strauss Zelnick.
The game is being sold in Standard and Ultimate editions at different prices. The Ultimate Edition adds shops, side missions, vehicles and cosmetic items, which are unlocked as players progress through the story.
The editions and their prices matter to people deciding when and what to buy, while the split in pre-orders offers an early indication of demand. Pre-order figures cited for PlayStation and Xbox come from Sensor Tower, rather than official totals released by Take-Two.
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