GTA 6 Will Be Digital-Only, Citing Convenience as a Key Factor, Says Take-Two CEO

Rockstar’s parent company is fully embracing the digital future of game distribution. In a recent earnings call, CEO Strauss Zelnick defended the choice to forgo a physical disc for Grand Theft Auto 6, stating that discs “don’t really make sense for the consumer.”

Zelnick emphasized that a physical release of GTA 6 is illogical, noting that “our business is well over 90% digitally distributed. It’s already a digital business.” This sentiment aligns with comments from other companies about the ongoing shift away from physical releases. The topic has gained traction among gamers, especially after Sony’s announcement to cease production of game discs starting in 2028, coinciding with the upcoming PlayStation 6, which will be digital-only.

He further pointed out that most players need to register online to access games anyway, suggesting that if you’re already connected, downloading digitally is just as convenient.

Sony has learned that many players do care about physical copies, as evidenced by the backlash following its announcement. However, Zelnick and Take-Two aren’t completely abandoning physical editions. “It doesn’t mean that we won’t have physical editions now and then,” he mentioned, comparing it to the continued existence of vinyl in the music industry. Still, with Zelnick asserting that discs don’t make sense for major titles, it seems unlikely that GTA 6 will see a traditional physical release.

As the industry pushes toward a digital future, game discs might not be the only casualty. When discussing the rising costs of hardware, Zelnick acknowledged that while this trend is “not a good thing,” he anticipates significant changes in how we play games in the near future. “I think we’ll be in commercial streaming mode in three years,” he stated. Although game streaming has been around for a while, its growth has been hampered by various issues. Zelnick believes that advancements will soon resolve latency and other challenges, allowing more players to enjoy major titles from anywhere. Could we see GTA 6 available on a cloud gaming service before a physical disc ever hits the shelves?

A roadmap of Xbox’s initiative to provide physical owners with a digital option has surfaced.