” GTA 6 is one of the highly anticipated games that will launch on November 19, 2026, in digital form, while physical retail boxes will include a download code instead of a game disc.
Speaking during Take-Two's first-quarter FY2027 earnings call, Strauss Zelnick said the company's business is now "well over" 90% digitally distributed.
"It's already a digital business," he said.
"So, in certain instances, especially if it's a big game, discs don't really make sense for the consumer.
"Zelnick said the shift to digital does not mean physical editions will disappear completely.
Strauss Zelnick said the shift to digital does not mean physical editions will disappear completel
Physical editions of games will still exist: Take-Two Interactive CEO
Take-Two Interactive CEO: Disc version of GTA 6 may also come
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has defended Rockstar Games' decision to launch Grand Theft Auto 6 without a physical game disc, saying disc releases for major titles no longer “make sense for the consumer. ” GTA 6 is one of the highly anticipated games that will launch on November 19, 2026, in digital form, while physical retail boxes will include a download code instead of a game disc. Speaking during Take-Two's first-quarter FY2027 earnings call, Strauss Zelnick said the company's business is now "well over" 90% digitally distributed. "It's already a digital business," he said. "So, in certain instances, especially if it's a big game, discs don't really make sense for the consumer."He further added that most modern games already require players to connect to the internet."Also, in 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. That's where the world is going in our opinion, and I think Sony understands that. We certainly understand that."Zelnick said the shift to digital does not mean physical editions will disappear completely."It doesn't mean that we won't have physical editions now, and I'm sure that we will, in the same way that there's still vinyl in the recorded music business. But in other instances, it just won't make sense," he said. Zelnick’s comments came after a question about Sony's reported plan to stop producing physical game discs by 2028.In an interview with IGN after the earnings call, Zelnick said a disc version of Grand Theft Auto 6 could still be released later. "I wouldn't rule out anything at this stage of the game. What we've announced so far is what we're doing at the moment, but we are always open minded," he said.Zelnick also said Rockstar's decision was not driven by concerns about game leaks and that he does not expect the digital-first launch to hurt Take-Two's business.
