Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two, has defended the publishers decision to release a Grand Theft Auto VI as a digital-only title at launch, suggesting physical game discs simply “don’t make sense for the consumer.”
In case you weren’t aware, even the boxed released of GTA VI won’t have a disc, but a download code, which has prompted backlash from physical game collectors. Speaking during a Q&A following Take-Two’s latest financial report, Zelnick noted that over 90% of the publisher’s sales are generated by digital content, describing it as “already a digital business.”
Our business is well over 90% digitally distributed. It’s already a digital business. So in certain instances, especially if it’s a big game, discs just — and note I said discs — don’t really make sense for the consumer. Also, most instances you have to register online to play anyhow. So if you’re already connected, who cares if you download digitally? It’s all the same and it’s much more convenient.
So that’s where the world is going in our opinion and I think Sony understands that. We certainly understand that. It doesn’t mean that we won’t have physical additions now and then, I’m sure we will in the same way that there’s still vinyl in the recorded music business. But in other instances, it just won’t make sense.
Sony announced earlier this summer that it will be ending production of game discs on PlayStation in January 2028, though anything released prior to the can still receive a physical release. The announcement has resulted in widespread criticism online, and while the format holder recently stated that it acknowledges the ‘strong views’ shared by its consumers, the company is proceeding with its plans. Sony is reportedly now putting warnings on PS5 game boxes about its impending switch to digital-only content.
Grand Theft Auto VI is pencilled in for release on November 19, 2026 for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
[Source – IGN]