Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has not ruled out the possibility of Grand Theft Auto VI eventually receiving a physical disc release, despite the company's current decision to launch the highly anticipated title digitally only. The executive stated that while discs "don’t really make sense for the consumer" in the current market, Take-Two remains open-minded about future options.
Zelnick elaborated on the company's strategy, noting that over 90% of Take-Two's sales are already digital. He emphasized that connectivity is essential for modern gaming, making digital distribution the most efficient method for delivering titles to players. "In order to play video games, you need to be connected today," Zelnick told IGN. "So everyone's connected. So it's just a matter of the most efficient way to get the title into people's hands."
When pressed on whether a disc version of GTA 6 could ever be released, Zelnick responded, "I wouldn't rule out anything at this stage of the game. What we've announced so far is what we're doing at the moment, but we are always open minded."
Rockstar Games' decision to forgo a disc launch for GTA 6 has drawn some speculation, with some suggesting it could be a measure to prevent leaks. Analyst Rhys Elliot previously noted that a lack of physical discs would aid Rockstar's "near-pathological secrecy" and prevent early data leaks from copies mishandled before launch. However, Zelnick directly denied that security concerns influenced the decision, stating, "No," when asked if leaks factored into the company's thinking.
The move away from physical media has sparked broader debate, particularly following Sony's announcement to discontinue PlayStation disc production from 2028. This has led to significant backlash from gamers concerned about preservation and ownership, with online petitions and social media campaigns urging Sony to reconsider. Some physical media advocates have even called for boycotts.
Sony has maintained that its decision reflects shifting consumer preferences, with its latest financials indicating an 82% digital download ratio for full game software across PS4 and PS5. Senior Director of Video Game Industry Advisor at Circana, Mat Piscatella, recently highlighted that only a handful of PlayStation games have sold over 100,000 physical units in the US this year, and significantly fewer have sold over 10,000 in a single week.
Zelnick echoed the sentiment that physical discs may eventually fade away, drawing a parallel to the continued, albeit limited, existence of vinyl records in the music industry. "I certainly hope there will be no negative impact and I don't expect that there will be one," he said regarding potential financial repercussions from the digital-only launch, and added, "I really wouldn't be able to guess" a timeframe for physical media's complete disappearance.
He also sought to distance Take-Two's decision from Sony's broader strategy, asserting, "We wanted to do what was right for the project."