Just weeks before its official launch, the sixth installment of Grand Theft Auto is showing numbers that analysts are calling unprecedented for the gaming industry. According to available data, the number of digital preorders for GTA 6 has approached five million copies — even before players gained access to the full version of the game. Notably, the overwhelming majority of buyers are not settling for the base edition at $79.99 but are opting for the expanded Ultimate Edition at $99.99: the premium version accounts for around 90 percent of all pre-purchases.
The Premium Edition Dominates, and the Disc Disappears
A key feature of the current sales cycle is that the Ultimate Edition is available exclusively in digital form — with no physical media. This decision by Rockstar Games underscores the company's strategic shift toward digital distribution and a premium monetization package. It is precisely this version that has become a "magnet" for the audience: the $20 difference between the base and expanded editions, it seems, did not deter players but rather stimulated demand for the more expensive option.
What Exactly Is Included in the Ultimate Edition
The expanded edition supplements the core content with a range of exclusive elements. These include five unique locations on the map: the Rideout Customs and One-Eyed Willie's auto shops, Sara's Unisex Salon, the Stock 305 clothing store, and the Electric Fang Tattoo Parlor with more than 50 designs. A separate block consists of additional story missions — the clearing of the PTT Youngin$ Compound base and a series of tasks to restore classic cars in the Classic Car Collection from fixer Waymon. The package also includes unique vehicles (the '95 Grotti Cheetah classic sports car, the Shitzu Squalo jet ski, and the '67 Vapid Dominator buggy), as well as weapons and cosmetics — the Hawk&Little Morgan revolvers, weapon skin sets, and the themed Vice City Styles and Goodtime Gear clothing packs.
Why 90% Is an Anomaly, and What Insiders Are Saying
According to Karl Conitus, Vice President at analytics firm Sensor Tower, expanded editions typically account for only 10–20 percent of total sales, so he calls the 90 percent figure unprecedented. The shift in demand toward the premium version was also confirmed by Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick. Rockstar Games, however, clarifies an important nuance: the bonus content is not granted from the first minute of the game — it is woven into the storyline and unlocked gradually as new chapters are completed. Moreover, unlike major releases such as Starfield or Diablo IV, the Ultimate Edition does not grant early access: all players will receive the game at the same time.
Is It Worth Paying Extra on Launch Day
For those who are hesitant, an upgrade option is available: buyers of the base edition can at any time after the official launch pay the $20 difference to add the Ultimate Edition content. Given that a significant portion of the game's vehicles, clothing, and weapons can be unlocked or purchased directly during gameplay, there is essentially no need to rush into paying extra for the expanded edition on launch day. Nevertheless, the record-breaking audience response already makes GTA 6 one of the most anticipated and commercially successful launches in the history of the gaming industry.
