Some Grand Theft Auto 6 fans have criticized a surprisingly expensive candle that recently appeared on the Rockstar Store. Marketed as capturing the scent of Vice City, the product sparked negative reactions that underline broader concerns about how Rockstar plans to monetize the hype surrounding GTA 6.
GTA 6 has most recently been delayed to November 19, 2026. Although its launch is still nearly a year away, Rockstar already appears to be moving ahead with official merchandise. An early December 2025 update to the company’s online store introduced the first such product: the “Vice Candle.”
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Rockstar Launches $60 Vice City-Scented Candle
Branded in frosted glass and made in collaboration with Joya Studio, the Vice Candle is priced at $59.99. Its official description lists notes ranging from lemon California and yerba mate to tuberose and smoked patchouli, with a burn time of roughly 65 hours. While the listing doesn’t mention GTA 6 by name, it clearly markets the product as capturing the scent of Vice City. A conceptually similar and equally priced “Liberty Candle” also appeared on the Rockstar Store as part of the platform’s latest catalog refresh, alluding to the scent of Liberty City. The two were added to the store alongside a slew of new apparel and accessories.
All New Rockstar Store Scented Candles
GTA 6 Fans Criticize Vice Candle
The $60 price point of the Vice Candle quickly became a talking point on the r/GTA subreddit, where dozens of vocal fans criticized it as being too expensive at best and completely out of touch at worst. “All their merch is so overpriced,” wrote one user, while another rhetorically asked, “What level of greed is this!?” Others argued the candle strengthens broader concerns about GTA 6 pricing. “If that’s what they’re charging for a candle, I can’t even imagine what they’ll charge for the game lol,” wrote Reddit user brlowkey.
Rockstar’s Vice Candle Is Expensive Even Compared to Luxury Candles
For added context, Rockstar’s newly launched Vice City-scented candle is expensive even compared to boutique items. According to some recent insights from Candle Culture, the average price of an 8-ounce (226.8g) luxury candle—excluding ultra-premium outliers priced in the hundreds—was approximately $64.96 as of late January 2025. However, Rockstar’s Vice Candle weighs just 6.5 oz (184.3g), and candles in that weight range averaged around $52 at the time.
If that’s what they’re charging for a candle, I can’t even imagine what they’ll charge for the game.
While Joya Studio positions itself as a boutique candlemaker, even its own products start well below the $60 mark Rockstar is asking for its Joya-made Vice and Liberty Candles. For instance, the Katz’s Deli candle—a 6.9 oz offering with a similar 60-hour burn time—is priced at $28, less than half the cost. Granted, this hand-poured “chocolate egg cream” candle is not officially tied to one of the most famous video game franchises of all time. Looking at something that is, there’s the Red Dead Redemption 2 candle that’s also made by Joya, which Rockstar has been selling since 2018 for $49.99, a price that still compares favorably to the Vice Candle.
Candles Aside, GTA 6 Base Game May Not Be Overpriced
While it’s not unusual for a bizarre luxury item launch to raise fan concerns about Rockstar’s broader pricing strategy, drawing a direct link between the cost of a niche item like a scented candle and the price of an upcoming game is a stretch at best. According to a recent study by MIDiA Research, Rockstar would be leaving money on the table if it priced the base edition of GTA 6 above $69.99, the current standard for new AAA titles. While the company is all but certain to release higher-tier editions aimed at its most hardcore fans (the kind that may also buy a Vice City-scented candle), MIDiA’s findings suggest the much-anticipated game is unlikely to challenge established norms in base pricing.
- Released
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November, 2026
- ESRB
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Rating Pending – Likely Mature 17+
Source: Rockstar Store
