Take-Two CEO questions game discs months before GTA VI launch
Grand Theft Auto VI is set to become the biggest game launch of 2026, and comments from Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick suggest its lack of a physical disc is not an isolated decision.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has commented on the industry’s move away from physical game releases. His comments are worth paying attention to because Take-Two is only months away from releasing Grand Theft Auto VI, its largest release of the year and one of the largest game launches in years.
Rockstar has already confirmed that GTA VI will launch on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The game will cost $79.99, while the $99.99 Ultimate Edition adds extra content. More importantly, the retail version will not contain a game disc. Rockstar says boxes available through retailers will instead include a download code.
During Take-Two’s Q1 FY2027 earnings call, Zelnick was asked about physical game distribution and Sony’s plans to move away from discs. He declined to comment directly on Sony but explained that more than 90% of Take-Two’s business is already distributed digitally.
“Our business is well over 90% digitally distributed as is. It is already a digital business. […] Discs don’t really make sense for the consumer.”
— Strauss Zelnic, Take-Two CEO
GTA VI may show where Take-Two is going
Zelnick argued that discs make less sense for large games because players often need an internet connection anyway. He also described downloading games as more convenient. According to the CEO, Take-Two will still release physical editions “now and then,” but does not expect them to remain necessary for every release.
© ZMC Rockstar is effectively testing this distribution model with Take-Two’s biggest launch rather than a smaller title. The company is still selling GTA VI through physical retailers, but the package itself is only a way to distribute a digital license.
Rockstar Games is already facing criticism over its upcoming extended GTA VI gameplay showcase through Netflix. The company will give Netflix subscribers access six hours earlier than everyone else, effectively putting the showcase behind a temporary paywall.
Source: Kotaku
