A new report claims Rockstar Games has no plans to reverse its controversial digital-only GTA 6 release, either at launch or in the months after.
Physical collectors and anyone wanting to actually own the games they spend money on were irked this past Wednesday when Rockstar Games announced that GTA 6's release would be digital only. The developer is selling a physical box, but that simply comes with a digital download code instead of a disc containing the game - so, no reselling or lending it out to a friend.
A widely-circulated email then gave fans false hope. Rockstar Support replied to one worried player by saying, "You will be able to acquire a physical copy during the following months" - a response many misinterpreted as confirmation that a proper physical release would follow GTA 6's November 19 release date.
The Hollywood Reporter has now squashed that false hope and explained Rockstar was referring to the code-in-a-box case when it mentioned a "physical copy" that players could buy in the months leading up to launch, not in the months post-launch. THR claims the internet simply misread the support email and Rockstar Games doesn't have any plans to print discs of GTA 6, citing an anonymous source familiar with the company's plans.
There you have it, then. The most-anticipated game of all time may very well stay digital-only forever - a worrying sign for physical media and anyone concerned about game preservation.
Multiple retailers have said they aren't going to stock the game come November due to its physical edition not actually containing a physical copy, but games analyst Mat Piscatella recently said he doesn't think the lack of disc will hurt GTA 6's sales at all.
