Rockstar Reveals $400 GTA 6 Merch Box (But It Doesn't Include The Game)

Following the announcement of a "Grand Theft Auto 6" soundtrack that comes on both CD and vinyl, Rockstar has now revealed even more physical merch for a video game that doesn't have a true physical version. This time, it's a box containing a hat, sunglasses, pins, stickers, a paper map, and more — all for the not-so-low cost of $399.99. Which wouldn't be so bad if it at least included the game itself as well, but no dice. That 400 bucks doesn't even get you so much as the standard $80 digital version of "GTA 6," let alone the $100 Ultimate Edition.

The inclusion of the paper map in the set seems to suggest that, for the first time in the history of the franchise, a mainline "GTA" game isn't going to come with a physical map. That means that the "physical version" of "GTA 6" that is available to buy through various retailers really is going to be nothing more than a case, the cover art, and a download code. So if you've been collecting official "GTA" maps up to this point, you're going to have to come up with $400 if you don't want an incomplete set once "GTA 6" comes out.

Rather than just being a set of general "GTA 6" merch, "The Goodtime State: Vice City Collection," as the set is called, is focused specifically on "Macca the Gator." We already know that "Macca the Gator" is a fictional TV show within the world of "GTA 6" that stars the titular anthropomorphic pink reptile. It is presumed that episodes of the show will be watchable on televisions within the game, as Rockstar has done with various fake programming — sometimes including cameos from real celebrities — in previous "GTA" games. Beyond that, we don't yet know all the ways that Vice City's love for the show and character will fully manifest in the game.

That's what makes it odd that Rockstar is asking people to plunk down 400 bucks for a bunch of merch featuring a fictional IP that they know almost nothing about. To be fair, a lot of it has a distinctive "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" look and aesthetic to it, which will definitely be appealing to fans of that game. But for all anyone knows, Macca the Gator will be an annoying character that nobody actually likes, or will be little more than something you see from time to time on a passing TV set or billboard. So it involves a pretty big — and mighty costly — leap of faith for anyone to think they'll want $400 in Macca merch at this point. Merch that, let's stress this again, does not come with access to the game.