The rumor is growing in the world of video games: Grand Theft Auto 6 could be released without a physical edition. According to recent information relayed by the Insider Gaming site, Rockstar and its publisher Take-Two are considering a download-only release for the launch of the game, a first for the franchise.
This decision would aim to reduce the risk of leaks, a recurring problem for the publisher. Already shaken by internal leaks in recent years, the studio would like to lock down the distribution of content as much as possible before the official launch. According to the generally well-informed PPE media, a source linked to physical sales in Europe confirmed this intention.
Strategic reasons behind the abandonment of physical media
The decision not to immediately publish a physical version would not be a simple commercial whim. According to PPE, the objective is clear: to avoid elements of the scenario or gameplay being revealed before release. “This decision was to avoid leaks regarding gameplay and storyline, and that GTA 6 would be available for download on consoles first.”
This approach also reflects a fundamental trend in the video game industry: more and more major titles are now available only in digital format during their initial launch. If this strategy proves correct, Rockstar would mark a historic turning point for its flagship saga.
A physical edition postponed to 2027?
The rumor doesn’t stop there. Still according to PPE, several sources mention a significant delay for the boxed version of the game. Some estimate that it could appear “three to four weeks after the digital release”, while others expect “an arrival not before 2027”.
These contradictions fuel the vagueness around the launch schedule. However, PPE recalls that it had already accurately revealed the release date of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PlayStation 5, which gives a certain weight to its statements.
Fans divided in the face of this radical decision
The gaming community is already reacting strongly to this news. Some regret the disappearance of the physical object, a true collector’s item for fans. Others see it as a logical modernization. Rockstar, for its part, has still not confirmed or denied this information.
Another notable fact recently attracted attention around GTA 6: “Rockstar allegedly granted the wish of a fan suffering from an incurable illness: to play GTA 6 before dying.” This gesture, welcomed by many Internet users, contrasts with the studio’s ultra-secure strategy.