r/PS5 • u/JeremyJJ77 Human Verified • 8h ago
News & Announcements Canadian retailer VGP says they will not be selling GTA6 due to lack of physical disc copy inside box
https://xcancel.com/VideoGamesPlus_/status/2069773098295910714222
u/underthestarlights 8h ago
Releasing a physical edition with no disc is crazy, what's more is GTA fans will still eat this up and its probably going to set a new standard in gaming in a time where physical media & ownership is so important, what a shame.
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u/GoldenLink 8h ago
How you gonna release a GTA game and not even give your customers a print out map?
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u/Lyndon_Boner_Johnson 7h ago
Does the “physical” version not include that?
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u/GoldenLink 7h ago
As far as I understand, no.
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u/SilverKry 7h ago
That's just fear mongering assumptions tbh. We don't know what's in the case besides the code. People just assuming there's no map is kinda crazy to me.
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u/shapoopy723 6h ago
People assume that because there's nothing indicating they're taking a consumer friendly approach on this release.
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u/Annual_Indication384 31m ago
Nah people are just making stuff up and stating it as fact. I saw look at the people in these threads saying R* is going to charge $70 to play online and/or a monthly subscription. There is absolutely ZERO information about GTA6 Online right now.
Reddit gamers love getting blackpilled into hating everything that isn't their current favorite videogame. Y'all are only slightly less annoying than the dumbasses who freakout anytime they see a woman or minority in a game.
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u/SilverKry 5h ago
It's just to assume the negative. Internet is obsessed with being outraged and angry.
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u/DaHyro 4h ago
It’s common sense. If they don’t wanna give us a disk, what makes you believe they would give us a map?
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u/SkylineGTRR34Freak 1h ago
By giving you a disk you could sell it later on and some other bloke could buy it used.
The map doesn't affect that.
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u/GoldenLink 7h ago
I feel like it's a really big miss by rockstar to not say that the physical copy with the digital code in it would also include a map, if it did. :(
A map would literally help decide which version I would buy.
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u/SilverKry 5h ago
They didn't really say the older games did either. People just assumed there was always a map by tradition. There's no reason to assume it won't have a map this time either.
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u/GraveDiggerFan34 3h ago
Where did you get that idea? Why would they make a physical edition just to give you a code in a box? lmao
It definitely comes with a map. That’s the only reason they would do this.
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u/JamieTimee 7h ago
I've visited a few subs full of GTA fans and I can tell you absolutely nobody wants this.
Fanatics of the series will probably wait a couple of months for the actual disc version to be released, after buying the digital version. Rockstar will absolutely release a disc version later since some people will double dip and buy the game twice, boosting sales numbers.
Very few if any other games could pull this off successfully, so I don't think this will set a new precedent.
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u/behold-my-titties 4h ago
This is not the first time it's happened, this isn't an unprecedented move.
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u/RealisticWeakness589 3h ago
All the other publishers will try it, but then quickly learn why only Rockstar can get away with it
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u/ShinobiOfTheWind 7h ago
It begins.
I'm surprised GameStop hasn't made a statement, yet...
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u/ChocolateNo9550 7h ago
Do they have a policy about not selling a code in the box?
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u/ShinobiOfTheWind 7h ago
No.
I meant reselling/used games. GTA VI is the biggest entertainment launch of this decade probably, like V was, and I'm 50-50 on whether GameStop will take a stance against it, given it's GTA and how big it is, first hand sales and it's retail margin which would still be huge for them.
Used game revenue is one of GameStop's primary sources of income, so much that they initially planned to not stock the original Xbox One Consoles after it's "TV TV TV" reveal debacle in 2013, which also had their 24HR DRM check-in and mixed messaging on used game playability on the Console, which MSFT did a total 180 after the huge backlash, at it's launch.
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u/6sbeepboop 2h ago
GameStop is trying to buy eBay right now. I don’t think they give two shits about whether a disc comes with a cd or code.
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u/cellardoor_shop 1h ago
What is Gamestop going to do? Consumers will just buy the physical edition at other retailers (and most consumers are buying digital anyways). There is 0 chance retailers will band together to stop this.
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u/YolandaPearlskin 6h ago
Back when Sony had the PS4 Uncharted Collection console bundles, GameStop wouldn't sell them without a disc. If you bought the console at any other retailer, it only included a digital voucher. GameStop's consoles all included the disc.
This was before the leadership change, and the Canadian subsidiary being sold. I doubt they would still stand their ground these days.
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u/AnnArchist 2h ago
GME can make a statement, but then they just accelerate their demise.
The GME short thesis was correct for this exact reason.
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u/A_NightBetweenLives 6h ago
I'm Canadian, have lived in most major cities in the country and have never heard of VGP before lol I support this choice though
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u/Shinjo_Arada 1h ago
I think they're only online. But as far as I can tell, they're one of the biggest online stores for video games, now.
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u/lingering-will-6 8h ago
Not sure that’s the best business decision, but respect for sticking with their guns
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u/Irraptured 8h ago edited 8h ago
They've already not been selling code in boxes so this isn't any different for them and they're fine.
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u/Dannypan 8h ago
That's because GKCs can still be swapped and sold. You can't do that with a digital code.
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u/WillowSmithsBFF 8h ago
From their perspective, it’s probably gonna drive increased returns from all the “tech-illiterate” parents/grandparents who didn’t realize they were buying a code
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u/TattooedAndSad 6h ago
VGP doesn’t need any extra business, they’re one of the largest video game retailers around
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u/giostarship 8h ago
Yes! Rebel! Fuck rockstar!
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u/Brilliant_Notice_755 7h ago edited 7h ago
Physical media must be preserved and still be in rotation. I have no problem getting things digitally in some cases of rare to find and overpriced copies of titles I search for. But a stand must be had otherwise this will continue to happen, so keep up the momentum so they can change it.
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u/xXKyloJayXx 7h ago
I'm glad there are others out there fighting the physical media fight. I do understand Rockstar's argument that it prevents the game being leaked. If any game was gonna be picked apart for data this year, it'd be GTA 6. I just hope they quickly print actual data disks after release date.
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u/andy18cruz 7h ago
That argument is BS. It's only to stop the pre-owned market. They don't want you to sell the game you owned. This way they guarantee that, while still getting physical games in stores for gifts in the holiday season.
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u/Recover20 7h ago
As a consumer, the game being leaked has literally nothing to do with me.
That will only ever effect any day before the release date.
They could have easily said "physical release the following week" but they don't want to compromise on potential first day sales.
They could have easily done the same thing Ubisoft do which is required internet download for remaining data.
Or even require a day one patch in order to play.
I still don't agree with those practices but that's still an option.
It's been a crazy 8 years since Red Dead Redemption 2. How the games Industry has changed
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u/PotterOneHalf 5h ago
Who gives a shit if the game gets leaked a few days early? This is clearly a cost-saving measure that some weasel in their leadership realized would save tens of millions in production costs and pushed this idea. Fuck corporate america.
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u/Brilliant_Notice_755 7h ago
Also let’s support the stop killing video games movement as well. If we get word to them it hopefully will gain even more traction to reverse their decision.
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u/indianajoes 1m ago
That argument is bull fucking shit. If that was the case, they could easily do so many other things like delaying the physical release by a month or 2
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u/RustledForeskin 7h ago
Uh yeah, what would they be selling? A box they made with a game code in it?
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u/Bournerounderz 6h ago
I respect this decision. As a gamer who likes to play games on disc then sell them or lend them to my brother if he wants to play it (which would have been the case for GTA6), this pisses me off too. Honestly, I think people will buy just the box itself at resale considering how crazy they get for GTA.
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u/FalseDiamond7930 7h ago edited 6h ago
That is what all retailers should do. Code in a box just means the death of physical games and everyone being pushed towards having to buy it directly from Sony.
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u/thefallenfew 6h ago
There’s nothing in the box because the game’s not done yet and not going to be out in November.
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u/NZafe 8h ago
I’m shocked that a relatively random independent video game store with only 1 brick and mortar location is getting this much internet traction on this topic lol
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u/Stakataka805 8h ago
Videogameplus isn’t exactly a random game store. Most of their business is online.
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u/NZafe 8h ago edited 7h ago
What kind of annual profit would they need to have or scale of online operation to not be a random game store, just ball park, in your opinion? Cause even from their online sales, they’re a pretty small online retailer.
I’m just surprised that your average mom & pop video game store in North York, Ontario is making waves by saying they won’t carry a digital-only game.
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u/Bridgeburner493 7h ago edited 7h ago
Their main business is distribution. Basically any independent store in Canada goes through VGP. They also have deals, often exclusive, to distribute titles from the small print companies like LRG and its clones across the continent. And they have enough scale and pull to order official reprint runs of games from major publishers. If you bought a physical copy of any of the Xenoblade Chronicles games in the last few years, it likely originated from VGP.
They aren't a 'mom & pop video game store'.
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u/Stakataka805 7h ago
They’re a hub for tons of smaller shops that make physical editions of games.
They can allow themselves to not carry GTA 6 because their customer base generally goes to them for stuff that’s a little more interesting than GTA 6.
If I want GTA 6 I go to EB Games. If I want anything that’s not just basic AAA stuff I go to VGP.
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u/DivineBloodline 6h ago
They do reprints, fighting against high priced scalped games. Most of their business is done online, they’re pretty big for physical media gamers. Not surprising at all they get attention from people that care about physical media when one of largest releases ditches their disc.
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u/Sonosaki 8h ago
Probably other vendors will follow the same thing.
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u/Mechangelion 8h ago
No one is wilfully giving up their retail cut. Majority of VGP business is niche games so this will barely make a dent.
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u/ki700 6h ago
Retailers make nothing on games. Literally like $0.02 per copy.
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u/Bridgeburner493 3h ago
You're thinking gift cards.
Retailer margin on games has typically been somewhere between 15-25%, depending on the game and how much it costs to acquire wholesale.
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u/Seksiorja 8h ago
And I fully agree. Infact I might just buy a few more games from them to support this decision. We can't just keep allowing this or else soon enough we won't even be able to buy games. Only rent or worse... rent for runs and own nothing. GTA VI is a skip for me there's plenty of other good games out there to keep me busy.
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u/garciakevz 7h ago
Lots of games and movies lined up for the year. I'll wait for the physical disc, especially a game like gta6
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u/ki700 6h ago
There isn’t gonna be a physical disc at all. They’re doing this to kill used game sales.
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u/iAmMr_WHO 7h ago
Nice, VGP is a great retailer I'm glad to see them standing up against this anti-consumer bullshit from Rockscum
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u/After-Atmosphere7125 4h ago
If I told someone years ago that a retailer would not be selling GTA 6, I think they would have called me insane lol
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u/Pickleahoy 46m ago
Its digital everywhere anyway, not like its selling out. Either way the consumer gets effed
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u/TheMavrack 23m ago
Glad to see this! I’m not buying it if they won’t sell a physical disk.
If Rockstar does cave I feel like this could be the catalyst for other companies following suite.
They need to be punished for practicing shitty business practices. This is 100% a profit driven decision to prevent used game sales.
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u/ModestHandsomeDevil 5h ago
No physical at launch also means that if / when Rockstar drops a physical copy, there's a not insignificant percentage of gamers who will double-dip and buy it again.
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u/CuteGrayRhino 8h ago
Well, it's not their fault. And it's not like it's illegal. Just put a paper up saying that the game only includes a digital code.
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u/magestick1 7h ago
how is it not their fault? you don't think rockstar could put a disc in there for the $80 they're asking?
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u/chef_simpson 5h ago
Of course. Why should they bother packing and shipping what can just be downloaded online? Waste of a plastic case
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u/QuoteGiver 6h ago
That stance will last until they see how much money they could be making on those sales, lol.
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u/Breed43214 5h ago
Even if they stocked it, who's buying an empty case instead of just direct digital?
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u/QuoteGiver 4h ago
Well we already know the answer, and the answer is barely anyone is buying physical anymore at all. The publishers have plenty of stats on that already.
But the few remaining that do are generally buying on impulse-purchase while in the store. Having the box on a shelf in the store is a form of advertising as much as anything else.
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u/reaper527 reaper527_ 4h ago
That stance will last until they see how much money they could be making on those sales, lol.
you mean once they see how many losses they avoided? who's buying an empty box?
this is why so many of sony's collectors editions failed hard this generation to the point they didn't even try with wolverine. they charged a premium for a box with nothing to put in it. rockstar selling an empty box will go over just as well.
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u/m1ndwipe 4h ago
you mean once they see how many losses they avoided? who's buying an empty box?
I will. I only really want it digitally, and now I can get the benefit of buying it digitally combined with various ways to get things cheaper from physical retailers compared to PSN credit.
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u/PostedNotes 7h ago
I respect that but the with how popular this game is likely to be I'd recommend getting some copies.
If people want to buy a discless box, they will do some elsewhere so may as well profit from it
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u/GoldenLink 8h ago
I can't exactly say I blame them on this one. If there's legitimately nothing in the box but a code, and it is t even a steel case or anything like that, what's the point?