Rockstar is finally kicking off the next major phase of the Grand Theft Auto VI marketing campaign: the pre-order date has been revealed, and the official cover art has also arrived. Fans will be able to reserve one of the most anticipated games of the generation starting June 25, though the biggest question of all, its price, still remains unanswered.

Players have been waiting for months for Rockstar to offer something concrete about Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders, and the first truly tangible date has now arrived. The studio had previously promised that it would ramp up the game’s marketing campaign during the summer, building anticipation ahead of the November release, and this appears to be the first official step in that plan. Anyone who has already set money aside for the new GTA should circle June 25, as that is when pre-orders will open.

The announcement was not limited to the pre-order date. Rockstar also used the moment to reveal the game’s official cover art, built in the familiar mosaic style associated with the series. The image features Lucia and Jason alongside several elements that are likely to define their journey through Leonida: luxury cars, local wildlife, weapons, and the tense, sun-drenched crime atmosphere that the game’s previous trailers have been carefully constructing.

The Price Is Still the Biggest Question

The announcement, however, did not resolve one of the biggest uncertainties surrounding Grand Theft Auto VI. Rockstar has not yet confirmed how much the game will cost, only stating that pre-orders will be available through digital stores and select retailers starting June 25. That means players will have to wait a few more days before discovering the actual price tag attached to the Leonida experience.

This has become one of the most widely discussed topics around Rockstar’s new game. GTA 6 is the most anticipated title of the entire generation, and it will very likely offer dozens of hours of content, which is why some believe Rockstar could be the first major publisher to break the $100 or €100 barrier for a standard launch title. A recent survey involving 2,000 players suggested that more people than expected would be willing to pay that amount for the new Grand Theft Auto.

That does not mean everyone would be happy with such a price, of course. A large part of the audience is hoping GTA VI will remain in line with what the industry has already normalized over the past few years, especially since big-budget games have already become noticeably more expensive in the current generation. The answer should finally arrive when pre-orders go live, as digital storefronts and retailers begin listing the game’s different editions.

The Summer Could Belong to GTA 6

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two, previously promised that promotion for Grand Theft Auto VI would move into a higher gear during the summer, and this first major step has now arrived. The pre-order date and official cover art are probably only the beginning: more details, images, and possibly new promotional materials are expected over the coming months, with many fans naturally waiting most eagerly for Trailer 3. Such a trailer could show Leonida, Vice City, and new pieces of Lucia and Jason’s story from fresh perspectives.

It is already clear that whenever Rockstar moves, the entire video game industry has to pay attention. Fear of GTA 6 has already caused a serious traffic jam in the release calendar, as several publishers and developers would rather not launch directly next to Rockstar’s giant. A new announcement, trailer, or pre-order update can dominate professional and fan attention for days, so there may be several points this summer where every other industry story is pushed into the background.

Grand Theft Auto VI has now reached another major milestone: the cover art is here, the pre-order date is set, and players may soon have to take their wallets seriously. The price, however, remains the unresolved question hanging over the entire launch. On June 25, we may finally find out whether Rockstar stays within the industry’s current pricing framework, or whether GTA 6 truly opens a new era for full-price releases.

Source: 3DJuegos