Why GTA 6 will launch without a disc - and what it means for gamers
Rockstar announced the physical edition of GTA 6 will only contain a download code, sparking debate over game ownership and the future of physical media.
When pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 went live on Wednesday, developer Rockstar revealed that the physical edition would consist of a box containing only a code for a digital download. While this is not the first time a game has launched this way, the move by one of the biggest entertainment franchises raises questions about the death of the disc and the nature of game ownership.
Ben, a 24-year-old gamer from the UK who covers GTA news under the handle 'videotech', told the BBC his initial reaction was confusion and shock. In February, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick had told Variety that a digital-only launch was not the plan. Ben noted that a key benefit of owning a disc is the ability to lend or sell the game.
Digital sales now account for the vast majority of game revenue, and Mat Piscatella, senior director at market research firm Circana, pointed out that more than half of Xbox Series consoles in the US lack a disc drive, as do over a quarter of PS5s. Canadian gaming content creator Alogirlx said the absence of a disc doesn't change anything for her, as she already downloads most games directly.
Ross Scott, founder of the consumer rights movement Stop Killing Games, argued the issue is less about the disc itself and more about the lack of trust that publishers will preserve access to purchased games. He said the industry has a poor reputation for disabling games after ending support.
Possible reasons for Rockstar's decision include past data leaks and development delays—the game has already been delayed twice. Some also see it as a way to increase profit per physical copy.
Several independent retailers have refused to stock the code-in-a-box version. VGP, an online retailer with a physical store in Toronto, said while it respects Rockstar, it is committed to preserving the value of physical game ownership. Lootbox Gaming in Delaware also declined, and PNP Games in Winnipeg launched a petition calling for a physical disc release.
The tradition of midnight launches, where gamers queue at stores for a physical copy, is also uncertain. Ben said he had planned to attend a launch event but will now settle for a digital version. He expressed hope that the box will still include a map and manual, as part of GTA's DNA.
