Even though Rockstar and Take-Two have already said GTA 6 is a digital-only game, some have held out hope for a disc-based version. A new report says GTA 6 will not have a disc-based version at launch or months after, as some have speculated.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, “There are no plans for Grand Theft Auto VI discs to be printed–not at launch, and not months after.”
This came after a fan posted a screenshot of a conversation they said they had with a Rockstar Support agent who informed them, “You will be able to acquire a physical copy during the following months.”
This email was indeed real, THR said, but it’s being misinterpreted. The report said the “physical copy” wording was in reference to the physical copies of GTA 6 that will be sold at retailers with a code in the box, not a disc.
The line from the Rockstar Support agent about being able to get a physical copy “during the following months” was described as a “clunky” reference to months after preorders going live on June 25, not the game’s November 19 release date.
Why is GTA 6 not releasing on a disc?
There are a number of reasons, experts have said, and many of them come down to Rockstar making more money. No discs also helps mitigate the possibility of the game leaking early. The codes that come in the physical copies do not unlock until November 19 (though preloading begins November 12).
A lot of people love physical media and want to own GTA 6 on a disc, but shipping as a digital-exclusive game won’t have any impact on sales overall, experts say. Still, it’s a major bummer for people looking to own the game on a disc, even if that disc is merely provides a license that can be revoked at any time.
GTA 6 is releasing with an $80 standard edition and a $100 ultimate edition, the latter of which locks away lots of cool content behind that extra paywall.
