Mexico’s Proposed Tax on Violent Games Could Push GTA 6’s Price Even Higher

Grand Theft Auto VI is already surrounded by speculation about its price, with some analysts suggesting the standard edition could cost as much as $100 when it launches next year. But for players in Mexico, the final price tag could climb even higher thanks to a newly proposed tax targeting violent video games.

Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies proposes an 8% tax on violent video games, meaning GTA 6 could see a major price hike in the region.

Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies recently approved a financial reform package that includes an 8% excise tax on games classified as violent. The levy would apply to both physical and digital releases, and while free-to-play titles would avoid the upfront cost, the tax would still extend to in-game purchases.

The tax would specifically affect games rated C (18+) or D (Adults Only) under Mexico’s classification system, which is similar to the ESRB in the U.S. That means titles with strong violence, explicit language, or mature content, like GTA 6, would almost certainly fall under the new rule.

In fact, previous Rockstar releases such as Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 already fall under this rating, making it clear that GTA 6 would be subject to the same classification and, therefore, the proposed tax.

Lawmakers backing the measure argue that violent games contribute to aggression and negative psychological effects among adolescents, citing a 2012 study as evidence. However, the link between violent video games and real-world violence has never been definitively proven, and the debate has resurfaced many times in global politics.

For Mexican players, though, the academic debate may matter less than the practical outcome: higher prices at checkout. With standard AAA games already climbing from $60 to $70 in recent years and GTA 6 rumored to test the $100 mark, an additional 8% tax could make it one of the most expensive mainstream titles ever sold in the country.

For now, the bill is not yet law. The proposal has already cleared Mexico’s lower house of Congress and is now headed to the Senate for further debate.