However, based on the store listing from GAME ROOM, a Lithuanian video game retailer, Expanded and Enhanced will eschew the usual AAA MSRP in the other direction, and more drastically. The listing is still up, surprisingly, and has the price for the game shown as €40. Based on how the industry doesn’t really price-match across currencies (aside of GOG), that would mean Expanded and Enhanced will be sold for $40. This is an unexpected but welcome surprise, however if you think about it, it sort of makes sense. GTA 5 Expanded & Enhanced will be the third time the same game is re-released, and players have already voiced displeasure previously about having to pay full price for a game they essentially own, again. Rockstar’s PR tactics also very likely changed after the large vocal fallout from the state in which The Trilogy: The Definitive Edition released recently. Frequent earnings calls and public revenue information also show that, consistently, GTA Online has been the biggest revenue stream for the company, as players spend on microtransactions in the game. Getting actual units moved is great and all, but a one time payment of $40 (or $60 or $70) isn’t as important as a constant stream of smaller payments that very quickly add up to more. Essentially, it is in Take-Two Interactive’s and Rockstar’s best interests to get as many people logging on as possible - this is why GTA Online is going standalone, and also why it would make sense to lower the price of GTA 5. While Online will be available separately for cheaper, you still gain access by buying Expanded and Enhanced. That said, this could also be a placeholder, and not indicative of the actual price - there has been no official word on pricing from Rockstar themselves yet, and early listings have a tendency to be inaccurate sometimes. It’s best not to make any bets until we get official confirmation - but one can always hope that this price will stick.
