The double standard with GTA 6: its price generates criticism, FC 27’s 160 euros do not

The different reactions of the community have opened a debate on how players perceive the value of each edition.

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The price of video games is once again at the center of the debate week after week. In recent months, we’ve seen how special editions of some of the year’s most important releases have significantly increased their cost, but not all have received the same response from players.

While the Ultimate Edition of GTA 6 has sparked numerous debates since its contents and price were announced, the recent presentation of EA Sports FC 27 Ultimate Edition Plus, with a cost of $159.99, has gone largely unnoticed. The difference in reaction has raised a question that many fans are already asking: why is this happening?

GTA 6 and FC 27 show two very different ways of understanding a special edition

One of the main explanations lies in the profile of each community. EA Sports FC players have been living with microtransactions, packs, FC Points, and additional content that is part of the usual experience for years. For many of them, paying more for an edition that includes virtual currency and advantages from day one is part of a familiar dynamic.

In contrast, GTA 6 is a game whose single-player campaign remains the main attraction of the release. Precisely because of this, part of the community considers that some of the content included in the Ultimate Edition should be part of the standard version and not linked to an additional payment.

• Among these extras are exclusive businesses, establishments accessible only to those who purchase the most expensive edition, as well as certain activities and content for the story mode. This decision has led some players to perceive the standard edition as a version with less content than expected, fueling much of the controversy.
• Adding to this is another important factor. Rockstar Games is one of the most influential companies in the industry, and many fear that if their commercial strategy works, other major studios will adopt similar models in future releases. In contrast, the EA Sports FC business model, closely tied to a game-as-a-service and recurring purchases within Ultimate Team, has been perceived for years as a more specific case and less representative of the rest of AAA productions.

The reality is that both premium editions have a high price, but the perception of players does not depend solely on the final figure. The type of content included, the expectations created around each saga, and the potential impact these decisions may have on the future of the industry explain why the $100 price tag of GTA 6 has generated a much more intense debate than the $159.99 of FC 27 Ultimate Edition Plus.