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Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick Hints GTA 6 Will Never Get a Physical Disc

A controversial Grand Theft Auto VI launch decision has just been set in stone by Take-Two.

A man and a woman pose on a green car by the beach, with the woman sitting on the man's lap and the man holding a gun. The scene features tall buildings and palm trees in the background.
A man and a woman pose on a green car by the beach, with the woman sitting on the man's lap and the man holding a gun. The scene features tall buildings and palm trees in the background.
alexa author
By Alexandria LopezStaff Writer

  • Primary Subject: Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6)
  • Key Update: Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick defended the decision to exclude physical discs from the game's boxed versions, citing that 90% of their sales are already digital.
  • Status: Confirmed
  • Last Verified: August 7, 2026
  • Quick Answer: Take-Two confirmed that physical copies of Grand Theft Auto VI will only contain a digital download code, firmly doubling down despite ongoing fan backlash.

On August 7, Take-Two held its earnings call. There, they discussed everything about the company's products, from NBA 2K to GTA 6.

One of the topics CEO Strauss Zelnick touched on is the company's decision to forego actual discs for GTA 6's physical editions. Will they be changing their minds or continue with their goal of an all-digital release?

Let's discuss.

Take-Two CEO Speaks Up On The Future of Gaming

Back when GTA 6 announced its pre-orders, fans were shocked to discover that the physical version of the game wouldn't come with a disc. Instead, players would receive a box with a code they could use to redeem a digital version of the game.

A busy scene on the water with multiple boats, people swimming and enjoying the sun, and an American flag visible.
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Credit: Rockstar Games

The move sparked backlash, with many against the all-digital era studios and video game companies are pushing.

In the earnings call, Zelnick doubled down on their decision, stating, "Discs just, and note I said discs, don't really make sense for the consumer." It seems that the petitions and backlash won't be enough to change Rockstar's mind.

READ MORE: How Long Is the GTA 6 Extended Look? Netflix Runtime Explained

He added, "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."

A man and a woman stand back to back, both holding guns, with a vintage car behind them and a sunset in the background. The woman is wearing a sparkly red outfit, while the man is dressed in a light-colored suit with pink pants.
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Credit: Rockstar Games

While they said they aren't shutting down the chances of making discs in the future, it won't be a common occurrence.

During the call, Zelnick also touched on the rising costs of hardware, which will mean fewer people will have machines to play games on. He stated, "I think we’ll be in commercial streaming mode in three years, and by commercial I mean low latency."

The industry is shifting towards open systems, and it brings up the possibility of streaming games in the future, affirming Take-Two's stance on an all-digital era. Perhaps GTA 6 will be on cloud streaming services like Game Pass and PlayStation+ soon after launch.

Will you still be purchasing GTA 6?

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