GTA 6 More Expensive
Gamers in Mexico may be facing a higher price tag for one of the most anticipated releases of all time. A new economic policy proposed by the Mexican government includes a special tax on video games deemed to have violent content, a category that will almost certainly include the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI.
The tax is part of the 2026 Economic Package, which aims to discourage the consumption of products considered harmful to public health. The proposal groups violent video games alongside online gambling, sugary drinks, and tobacco, applying an 8% special tax increase to their sale price.
The government’s justification, as stated in the General Economic Policy Criteria, cites “recent studies” that have “found a link between violent video game use and higher levels of aggression among adolescents, as well as negative social and psychological effects such as isolation and anxiety.”
The gaming community has reacted with significant criticism and skepticism. On forums like Reddit, users have pointed out the lack of cited specific studies and the problematic nature of equating video games with substances like tobacco. One user, a self-described former bartender who struggled with alcoholism, expressed frustration, stating, “It pi**es me off… to see video games lumped in with actual drugs and gambling.”
The debate also extends to the vague definition of “violent” content. Users are questioning what criteria will be used to classify games. Would a game like Fortnite or Minecraft be taxed at the same rate as Grand Theft Auto? The lack of clarity has created uncertainty and concern among consumers.
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While some acknowledge that predatory monetization in games (like loot boxes) shares similarities with gambling, they argue that broadly taxing violent content is a misguided approach. For Mexican residents, this policy means that the already significant cost of a new AAA game like GTA VI will be even higher upon its release in May 2026.