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Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick Explains Why GTA 6 Is Not Getting a Disc Version

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick Explains Why GTA 6 Is Not Getting a Disc Version

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said that discs don't make sense for the consumer in the case of big games.

Written by Manas Mitul | Updated: 10 August 2026 18:06 IST

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick Explains Why GTA 6 Is Not Getting a Disc Version

Photo Credit: Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch on PS5 and Xbox Series S/X

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Highlights

GTA 6's physical version will include a download code in the box
The Take-Two CEO said the company's sales were over 90 percent digital
Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch on November 19, 2026

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has defended developer Rockstar Games' decision to not release a physical disc version of Grand Theft Auto 6. During the company's latest earnings call, the executive said that disc releases for major titles didn't really “make sense for the consumer.” GTA 6 is set to launch in November digitally, along with a physical version that will include a download code in the box instead of discs.

Zelnick was asked about Sony's decision to end production of physical game discs in 2028 during the Q&A section of Take-Two's first-quarter FY 2027 earnings call on Friday. The executive said Take-Two's business was “well over” 90 percent digitally distributed.

“It's already a digital business,” Zelnick said. “So, in certain instances, especially if it's a big game, discs don't really make sense for the consumer. Also, in most instances, you have to register online to play anyhow.

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“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."

However, the Take-Two boss added that physical editions for games would be released in some form.

“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.

GTA 6 Pre-Orders Had an 'Exceptional' Start, Says Take-Two

GTA 6 Could Get Disc Version at Some Point

In an interview with IGN after the earnings call, Zelnick left the door open for GTA 6 to get a disc version at some point in the future.

“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,” the Take-Two boss said.

Zelnick added that the decision to not put GTA 6 on discs was not for the fear of leaks and said that he did not expect the decision to launch the game digitally to negatively impact Take-Two's business.

Grand Theft Auto 6 will be available digitally on PlayStation and Xbox storefronts when it launches November 19, 2026. Physical copies of the game will include digital download codes that can be redeemed online.

Grand Theft Auto VI

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Genre Action-Adventure

Platform PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series S/X

Modes Single-player, Multiplayer

Series Grand Theft Auto

More Rockstar Games Games

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Further reading: GTA 6, Take Two, Strauss Zelnick, Grand Theft Auto 6, GTA 6 Disc, Take Two Earnings Call, Rockstar Games

Manas Mitul

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In his time as a journalist, Manas Mitul has written on a wide spectrum of beats including politics, culture and sports. He enjoys reading, walking around in museums and rewatching films. Talk to Manas about football and tennis, but maybe don’t bring up his video game backlog. More