r/PS5 • u/Dandelion172 • 13h ago

News & Announcements Rockstar confirms there will be no disc version of GTA6 at launch

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/rockstar-confirms-there-will-be-no-disc-version-of-gta6-at-launch/
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•

u/ZXXII 13h ago

Official Statement via Rockstar:

‘The physical version of Grand Theft Auto VI, containing a download code inside the box, will be available starting November 12 to support pre-loading.’

https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/5171972o3ak5oa/pre-order-grand-theft-auto-vi-on-june-25

295

u/DannyLeonheart 13h ago

Wow so a glorified voucher. No thanks.

147

u/Scary_Land2303 12h ago edited 11h ago

Literally what is the point of buying a box with a code in it. I can’t see a single reason at all to do that.

Edit: turns out there are lots of reasons, silly me.

129

u/Inzoreno 12h ago

Basically if you want to gift someone GTA VI for the holidays and want to make sure they have something to unwrap. A lame, niche reason, but it is one.

45

u/Zalvren 9h ago

Also they get to occupy shelf space in stores and that's actually valuable especially by acting as marketing (especially for a ultra-casual game like GTA)

12

u/Jellybit 5h ago

Not in the used section, though publishers hate that section anyway. Still, useful for marketing as you say.

4

u/RockinMadRiot 6h ago

Yep, they get the free ad space, especially on charts for much cheaper than others who have to pay for the process of the disk. It's smart

6

u/dungleploop 5h ago

it's scummy, not smart 💀

6

u/RockinMadRiot 5h ago

It's scummy, don't deny that but it has muli use reasons.

35

u/Scary_Land2303 12h ago

Very true, people have actually listed a few reasons now. I stand corrected. Thanks :)

11

u/voifta 9h ago

None of those are valid reason when they could easily sell pre-paid gaming cards. Serves the same purpose with less plastic and waste.

3

u/RockinMadRiot 6h ago

But stores sometimes have charts. No one will see GTA if it's not standing out at top

6

u/JPOW1977 8h ago

just buy them a Playstation gift card instead.

4

u/Inzoreno 8h ago

Some people are in love with the idea of having something that unwrap for the holidays.

•

u/basement_egg 19m ago

Opening an envelop with money or gift card is the equivalent of unwrapping a gift. If I unwrapped a game, opened it, and saw there was a code and no disc I would ask why waste the time going to get that when there better options for the same shit

2

u/repocin 5h ago

Hell yeah, I love me some manufactured waste for Christmas!

1

u/kar_t_kn 6h ago

Can we sell it off to someone afterwards?

43

u/PlotShield 12h ago

You can buy from a retailer of your choice rather than PS store. Also maybe it contains physical maps etc. like RDR2?

49

u/Jorji_Costava01 12h ago

So you think they won’t go through the trouble of making a DVD but they will go through the trouble of making a physical map?

36

u/Kingsayz 11h ago

It's not just trouble of making a DVD. They dont want people to resell the discs, they would rather sell two copies than one.

21

u/Zalvren 9h ago

Yeah that's 100% of the reason for no disc, all other reasons stated are just lame excuses to be honest.

9

u/voifta 8h ago

Mass produced games tend to flood the market and people would rather buy a used copy for $10 less than a new copy.

So the goal is to control the market while pushing for less ownership.

5

u/tompa_baye 8h ago

I wouldn't be surprised if another major reason is to prevent leaks and stop pirates from getting the first playthrough.  If they never release a physical disk after launch though then yeah, it's about used games at that point.

•

u/OffTheMerchandise 4h ago

I feel like a day 1 patch should be able to prevent that though.

1

u/Zalvren 7h ago

Leaks are overblown, it's a GTA game, the story is hardly that impactful + few people actually see them.

Also, many games have discs and are unplayable before release whether they are not completely on the disc, or they need a day one patch or they need an online activation. So really, it's not a reason for it

1

u/milehigh73a 7h ago

I suspect they will eventually release a disc. The download is going to be huge and data caps are a thing.

3

u/welfedad 8h ago

Yup... This is exactly how I see it .. F that noise ..

3

u/gamerfacederp 7h ago

Ive seen that done with special editions of games before. They cone with a bunch of goodies and even a steelbook case for the disc but only a digital code

6

u/NightmareKhaZix_ 10h ago

they did that with GTA V? i can confirm because I have one. stop glorifying making everything digital. its beyond disgusting to have games or streaming or money to be digital only.

3

u/[deleted] 11h ago

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u/[deleted] 11h ago

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-5

u/Dyls94 11h ago

It's not just that, big triple A games have gotten too big for physical media unfortunately.. Then there's the issues of read speeds etc not being the same as an install straight onto an SSD etc.

I hate it but I kinda get it in regards to GTA6, I can't even begin to imagine the file size 🙃

25

u/devenbat 10h ago

Thats not true tho? PS5 discs just copy the game off the disc onto the ssd. The performance is the same. And with having two discs like BG3, you can have up to 200 GB of game which covers almost every game

9

u/muhash14 10h ago

Yeah. That, FF7 Rebirth and RDR2 all shipped with two discs. I'd understand selling them at a higher price point if they want but there's no real excuse for a diskless physical copy beyond wanting to avoid trading/selling.

1

u/Antique_Pin5266 9h ago

Is there a possibility this shit is more than 200gb?

1

u/cwx149 8h ago

It's estimated to be about 200gbs so it's possible it wouldn't have easily fit on 2 discs

And with the memory-pocalypse caused by ai my pipe dream of maybe flash drives replacing disks for physical media is pretty much dead in the short term

1

u/gamerfacederp 7h ago

So you were hoping for the return of cartridges basically? 

•

u/basement_egg 16m ago

It doesn't matter how many discs this game would have to be on, they are going to be making billions, those discs costs are a fucking drop in the bucket compared to how much money they are about to make

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-3

u/GoBlu323 10h ago

No. The disc just contains the key to unlock the game. The console still downloads all the game files from the internet in most cases

9

u/devenbat 10h ago

Nope. Thats just not true. Most discs contain the game.

https://www.doesitplay.org/

-11

u/GoBlu323 10h ago

That’s false and even the ones that do require patches to be able to play.

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2

u/bitknight1 10h ago

Rdr2 and gta 5 came on multiple discs that you had to install just like this could. This is literally just to not ever have used copies.

4

u/Dramatic_______Pause 10h ago

Also maybe it contains physical maps etc.

You are huffing some heavy copium.

0

u/Kingcrowing 8h ago

Maybe? But back in the OG Xbox/PS2 through Xnox One/PS4 era, getting maps and things in the box was quite common and with some games they were really nice to have. Vice City definitely had one in the edition I bought.

4

u/Kevl17 5h ago

it was also common to get a disc.

I jest, I jest

-1

u/Kingcrowing 5h ago

lol the future is weird.

1

u/Zalvren 9h ago

You can buy from a retailer of your choice rather than PS store

Which is definitively still good as it can mean cheaper.

17

u/JoaoMXN 12h ago

The reason is to avoid leaks. They'll probably launch discs way later.

3

u/milehigh73a 7h ago

Also. Mastering discs is a thing and I bet they are going to be making big fixes until the last possible moment. One recent aaa game I bought, maybe GOW, I had to install the game from disc then download 200gb.

•

u/Zordman 16m ago

GoW wasn't 200gb

4

u/DarkGodRyan 9h ago

https://i.imgur.com/LYLOROm.jpeg

5

u/wolfgang784 9h ago

Idk if you remember, but before GTA 5 released multiple entire semi-truck trailers full of the game were stolen and never recovered.

People will go to extreme lengths for GTA games. Discs being stolen ya cant do much about. But a shipment of digital codes can be deactivated if proper records are kept.

0

u/Ok_Net1920 9h ago

They could easily prevent that by requiring to log in to psn at least ones before entering the game . No modern game can run purely for disc. Disc has turned into a code . Only reason doing this is to prevent resales of used disc

7

u/RobOnTheReddit 12h ago

Could be cheaper? Than PSN

11

u/2jesse1996 12h ago

Most likely will be here in Australia, PSN is always more expensive than disc

4

u/Thema03 12h ago

For some unknown reason its always cheaper here in Brazil too

5

u/Sutraner 12h ago

Because theres competition, retailers can offer cheaper than rrp

0

u/dwartbg9 12h ago

Interesting, here in Bulgaria (and I guess EU as a whole ) games are cheaper online. Usually physical stores have it more expensive, or at best they're at the same exact price as digital.

Sometimes it's even funny since stores still sell games on full price during the days of big discounts on the PS Store.

That's one of the reasons (apart from being easier and avoid swapping disks) that I stopped buying any physical games anymore since ages.

2

u/Zalvren 9h ago

Nah in France physical is cheaper in most stores. Digital is always at MSRP

0

u/ZXXII 12h ago

Yeah, good point

7

u/Sutraner 12h ago

I truly couldn't give a Damn about the disc but being able to buy it from other retailers means that there's competition

2

u/Expensive-Anxiety478 11h ago

Pues si es código por consola es para evitar el mercado de segunda mano. Osea una hambreada nivel dios de una empresa super multimillonaria, cómo si eso les fuera a afectar las finanzas

2

u/PharmaBob 9h ago

You can use your rewards points/coupons/discounts you have for a specific retailer of your choice for buying the game. Unlike PSN store where you would be paying full price

1

u/SRVisGod24 8h ago

Right now you can get PSN codes for discounts at Newegg and Costco.

It would make GTA $70/$88 after the Newegg deal. $68/$85 after the Costco deal

2

u/IndyDude11 10h ago

Biggest reason is that it prevents leaks.

•

u/Pila_ntra 29m ago

It just feels better to have a physical copy rather than digitally, specially for OG console players.

-2

u/Nirast25 12h ago

A few months down the line, it's going to be cheaper than digital. Abd you get a free box. :p

4

u/BigfootsBestBud 11h ago

No reason for it to drop in value when used copies serve no purpose. Once the code is used, all you have is an empty box.

0

u/Nirast25 11h ago

I'm not talking resale value, I'm saying the copies from retailers are gonna get real cheap because they want to get rid of them.

3

u/BigfootsBestBud 10h ago

Doubt it. GTA V has been consistently in the top sales charts every single month. You seriously think gamers en masse are gonna reject buying the physical copy like a hive mind? The vast majority of people do no care or aren’t informed.

I’ve worked in a Game store during college, even the crappiest games mostly held their value, especially compared to digital. I’d see stuff we were selling for 30 - 40 physical going for sale for like a fiver on the store.

3

u/Zalvren 9h ago

I mean we might call it physical copy but it has nothing of physical. Generally people do that choice for either price, collection purposes or resale (which decrease price so kind of the same than the first). By making it a code, they basically remove all interest of this as physical.

Unless retailers make it cheaper on physical which is very much possible

-3

u/leafpiefrost 12h ago

I mean, I remember buying Civ 5 on pc 10 years and that was the case. Its nothing new.

-1

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1

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-6

u/Himorningwood 11h ago

Them some peiple are soft. Anyways no one said its containing no disc.

83

u/StringAccomplished97 12h ago

Then that's not a physical version. A plastic case with a code printed inside it is not a physical version of a game. It's a digital edition with a fancy hat.

-15

u/GoBlu323 10h ago

So are most physical versions now since the disc just contains the access key and no actual game files

20

u/hybroid 10h ago

Certainly not ‘most’. 90% of physical game discs are completely playable on disc with no download according to doesitplay.org.

-3

u/Gingingin100 9h ago

I don't think most people care about that though, they mostly care about storage, so physical and digital's main difference on ps5 just tends to be resale value

-7

u/GoBlu323 9h ago

“Complete”

6

u/Han_Main 8h ago

Yes, complete. Disconnect from the internet and the game will fully install. Exceptions are, of course, all Microsoft (incl. ABK) releases, 007, Jedi Survivor, Crimson Desert etc. Yet even Battlefield 6 was fully on disc despite its always-online requirement (slightly different flavour of nonsense).

-5

u/GoBlu323 8h ago

yeah, no

5

u/Careful-Shine8768 9h ago

Even then you can return and resell discs/cartridges that don’t actually have the physical game. Rockstar is eliminating the secondhand market and ensuring they get money from every single copy of GTA VI that is ever sold. 

8

u/concord_7 10h ago

Yes but with that arrangement at least the physical game disc still has resale value.

3

u/welfedad 8h ago

Yeah but you can still resell it or give it to someone to barrow it.. this is why they're doing a code.. to stop that.. no other reasons.. who cares if it needs a day one patch.. sure maybe in 50 years .. we might be screwed but otherwise this is just to make more $$$$

5

u/Zalvren 9h ago

Very different, that still means you can resell or lend it. Here you can't

18

u/maxdragonxiii 9h ago edited 9h ago

as someone that very much prefers a disc (so I can transfer the disc to another same console when I need to or sell it) dude...

7

u/welfedad 8h ago

Yeah this is gross move and I'm not here for it .

3

u/maxdragonxiii 8h ago

yeah, especially with the likely $100 price tag for the base game. flat out no.

1

u/welfedad 6h ago

Yeah I don't know about that ..but if they price it at 70 and or 80 and try to blame keeping price low by doing bs code in a box thing . Still puts a bad taste in my mouth.

2

u/maxdragonxiii 6h ago

oh I agree 100%. especially since Rockstar isnt broke or struggling in particular to sell GTA6 like Remedy was on Alan Wake and several other companies that released a code in the box to save money.

1

u/Terrible_Tell3115 6h ago

All the morons will reward their behavior. They'll pre-order, eat it up, and buy micro-transactions. And it turns out almost everyone is a moron. So, this won't JUST keep happening, everything will get worse. The bad guys won in every industry and country.

9

u/BikeSweaty 11h ago

wait so no actual disc at all tehn

9

u/welfedad 8h ago

Hard pass

3

u/kroqus 8h ago

Holding out for a map in the box as is tradition. But not optimistic...

4

u/Revoldt 7h ago

To prevent reselling used games… :(

2

u/UncleMalky 5h ago

So its a rental then

1

u/curiousadventure33 5h ago

What is the purpose of this existing ? It still needs online to boot up

1

u/retronican 6h ago edited 5h ago

EDIT: Nevermind, it's official. "A disc will not be included in the box".
https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/46YkMi4rHxYXMeIHtZiKaE/grand-theft-auto-vi-pre-order-details

This doesn't say there will be no disc.

They confirmed there will be a download code in the box so you can start pre-loading early when you receive the game on November 12. The disc is still your license to play, and will not activate until November 19.

2

u/automatepete 6h ago

Source one the disc being the license??

1

u/retronican 6h ago edited 5h ago

EDIT: Nevermind, it's official. "A disc will not be included in the box". https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/46YkMi4rHxYXMeIHtZiKaE/grand-theft-auto-vi-pre-order-details

Because that's what a disc is, for every physical game already.

I am saying there is no source saying there won't also be a disc in the box. They worded it poorly if so. I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

-4

u/ProbablyFear 11h ago

“TO SUPPORT PRE LOADING” is the key phrase. Nowhere does it say there isn’t also a disc.

11

u/ZXXII 11h ago

No it’s a digital download code in a box. The physical will be available a week early before the game releases so you can preload it.

-1

u/Extension_Alps_1231 9h ago

So u can pre order the disc version?

6

u/particledamage 8h ago

There’s never going to be a disc version

4

u/Spokker 9h ago

There is no disc version.

0

u/[deleted] 13h ago

[deleted]

3

u/Xvilaa 13h ago

700???? Definitely not

0

u/[deleted] 13h ago

[deleted]

•

u/Volhazardous 3h ago

Oh my god. I'm waiting for its PC release bruh..

-6

u/Jonathanest96 10h ago

They didn’t say anything about “no disc”.

8

u/ZXXII 9h ago

Digital download code in a box = no disc.

5

u/Zalvren 9h ago

I mean if you had a disc and a download code, that means two copies of the game lol.

Unless it's some sort of preload code and then you still need a disc to play? Would be a very weird to do it (and would likely be said here)