Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Rockstar parent company Take-Two Interactive, has defended the decision not to offer a physical disc version of Grand Theft Auto 6, stating that for large games, discs "don’t really make sense for the consumer." He made these remarks during a Q&A session following the company’s Q1 2027 financial release.
Zelnick highlighted that Take-Two's business is predominantly digital, with "well over 90%" of sales occurring online. He believes that the world is moving towards digital distribution, a sentiment he attributes to Sony as well. "It's already a digital business," Zelnick stated. "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."
He further argued that with many games requiring online registration to play, the convenience of a digital download is largely the same as a physical disc for consumers who are already connected. "So that's where the world is going in our opinion and I think Sony understands that. We certainly understand that," he added. Zelnick did not rule out physical editions entirely, drawing a parallel to the continued existence of vinyl records in the music industry, but indicated they would be for specific instances where it makes sense.
This stance from Take-Two comes amidst ongoing community discussion and backlash surrounding Sony's decision to discontinue physical disc production for PlayStation games starting in 2028. While Sony has stated this move does not currently impact their business and they do not foresee negative future consequences, the decision has drawn criticism. Gamers have voiced concerns about video game preservation and ownership, with some calling for boycotts and petitions to urge Sony to reconsider. Organizations like the UK's Digital Entertainment and Retail Association have characterized Sony's decision as prioritizing "corporate convenience over consumer choice."