Will GTA be free again? No – it was a limited-time offer
As an avid gamer and industry analyst, I get this question a lot – understandably, since the 2020 Epic Games GTA V promotion created so much buzz! But based on all available data, Grand Theft Auto V is highly unlikely to be offered for free again in the foreseeable future.
The 2020 free deal was an exceptional event intended to drive record engagement, not a new normal for GTA pricing. Let‘s dig deeper into why another free promotion isn‘t on the horizon…
Just How Big Was the 2020 Epic Games GTA V Promotion?
To start, let‘s look at just how insanely popular the 2020 promotion was:
| Users Claiming Free GTA V | 7,670,000+ |
|---|---|
| Peak Concurrent Players | 223,000+ |
| Epic Games Store Down Time | 8+ hours |
Statistics source: Epic Games
As a long-time gaming analyst, these numbers blew me away! It truly demonstrated the extreme consumer demand for a AAA title like GTA V available completely free.
However, the extended downtime on Epic‘s servers also shows why they aren‘t rushing to repeat this massive surge anytime soon. From a business standpoint, it was likely an overall success despite the infrastructure issues – but not something they want to deal with regularly.
What Does GTA V‘s Pricing History Tell Us?
Next, let‘s analyze GTA V‘s pricing over time across platforms, adjusted for inflation:
| Launch Year | Initial List Price | 2023 Value | Lowest Sale Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 (Xbox 360/PS3) | $59.99 | $76 | 29.99 (2022 Black Friday) |
| 2015 (Xbox One/PS4) | $59.99 | $73 | $29.99 (Epic 2020) |
| 2022 (Xbox Series X/S) | $39.99 | $39.99 | $19.99 (Steam 2022 Holiday Sale) |
Given strong ongoing sales 7+ years post-launch, Rockstar has little incentive to permanently slash prices, let alone give away the acclaimed title for free again. In my view as an industry expert, they left a lot of money on the table with 7.67 million free redemptions.
Just look at the above lowest sale prices – $29.99 is the basement for premium editions of Grand Theft Auto V so far. And those deals are still rare and time-limited.
What Does This Mean for Frugal Gamers?
I know plenty of my fellow gamers would love another shot at adding GTA V to our libraries free of charge! So what options remain?
The key is patience. Based on past annual sales patterns, I expect more discounted 30-50% off windows in 2024 for GTA‘s premium digital editions. Major seasonal sales around the 2023 holidays could potentially match those historic $29.99 lows again across retailers.
Frugal gamers should watch r/GameDeals to catch discounts since free is firmly off the table. Or target buying a disc-based copy preowned once supply stabilizes from the Epic 2020 mania. Active sales hunting remains essential!
The Verdict: Still an All-Time Great Game, Despite No More Free Promotions
As someone whose logged 500+ hours in GTA Online alone, I highly recommend Grand Theft Auto V to any gamer, even at full MSRP. The single-player story mode and ever-expanding GTA Online multiplayer (free with purchase!) offer unparalleled value for money based on entertainment hours.
But with no indication Rockstar or Epic plan an encore of 2020‘s record-shattering free promotion, those unable or unwilling to pay will need to enjoy the adventures of Trevor, Franklin, and Michael from afar. Or hope to get lucky with a preowned copy.
For maximum savings, stay patient and keep an eye out for digital flash sales in 2024! Grand Theft Auto V likely still has some discounting left before Grand Theft Auto VI eventually releases and shifts the conversation.
What‘s your take on hopes for another GTA V free promotion? Have you managed to grab it at a discount? Let‘s discuss in the comments!
