Some Retailers Are Refusing to Sell GTA 6 Due to the Lack of a Disc
Rockstar Games has confirmed that the physical version of Grand Theft Auto 6 will not include a game disc. Instead, buyers will receive a box containing only a digital download code. The physical release is scheduled for November 12, one week before the game’s official launch, allowing players to pre-download the title.
This decision has prompted at least two major retailers to refuse selling the game. Video Games Plus, a Canadian retailer operating for nearly 40 years, and independent gaming retailer Loot Box Gaming have both stated they will not stock GTA 6, citing longstanding policies against selling code-in-box physical products.
Industry analysts, however, suggest the controversy will have limited practical impact on the game’s commercial success. The decision primarily benefits Rockstar Games through reduced physical distribution costs, while consumers are expected to largely accept the digital code format. The development highlights an ongoing industry shift toward digital distribution, even for major physical releases, while tensions persist between publishers and traditional retail partners who specialize in physical media.