Just yesterday, Rockstar Games revealed new details about Grand Theft Auto 6, including its price, and confirmed that the physical editions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S will not include a game disc. Instead, buyers will receive a standard game case with only a digital download code inside.
That announcement has already led to a backlash, with several game retailers officially refusing to sell GTA 6. The stores say the decision hurts physical game collecting and pushes the industry even further toward an all-digital future.
Video Games Plus (VGP), one of North America’s best-known independent retailers, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that it will not sell GTA 6. The company said its policy does not allow it to stock console games that only include a download voucher instead of a physical disc. The retailer added, “Should Rockstar one day release a physical edition containing a disc in the box, we would be pleased to carry and support that version for our customers.”
Another retailer, Loot Box Gaming, also confirmed it will not support the launch for the same reason, saying it wants to protect physical game ownership and game preservation. They said, “When we started LBG, it was out of a love for our favorite form of media, gaming, as-well as the preservation of said media. If a product can’t honor the people who pay their hard earned money to purchase it, then we have no business trying to sell it to our customers whom we value above anything else.”
While the exact reason behind this move isn’t known, one possible reason for removing the disc is to prevent early leaks. Shipping millions of discs to stores before launch has often led to copies being sold early, causing major spoilers to appear online. By using download codes instead, Rockstar Games can better control when players can access the game. For more GTA 6-related coverage, keep checking GameObserver.
