GTA 6 to launch without physical discs

Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have decided that the physical version of GTA 6, set for release on November 19, 2026, will not include discs. Instead, it will come with a download code, raising questions about its commercial viability and consumer demand for traditional physical media.

Fake discs appear online

A Chinese seller appears to have capitalized on the confusion by offering fake physical versions of GTA 6. On October 17, the GTA 6 Info account shared images of these replicas, suggesting they are being sold on platforms like Etsy, though this has not been independently verified.

Replicas for display only

The fake discs are described as display items only, not playable. They include a disc with a different image and no data, and the Ultimate version, which does not exist digitally, adds a card with a likely unusable code. These items are clearly marked as collectibles, not functional game copies.

Branding linked to a Shanghai agency

The visuals associated with the fake discs are attributed to Lionheart, a branding agency based in Shanghai and London. It is unclear whether Rockstar and Take-Two view these replicas as a positive or negative development, given their potential to generate revenue from the companies' intellectual property.

Take-Two CEO leaves door open

In August, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick did not rule out the possibility of a physical disc version of GTA 6 being released at a later date, according to statements to IGN. However, Rockstar and Take-Two continue to sell physical items related to GTA 6, such as the soundtrack and a collector’s edition.

Physical merchandise available separately

Despite the lack of a physical game disc, Rockstar and Take-Two are offering physical merchandise related to GTA 6. The soundtrack, GTA VI: The Album, is available for pre-order on CD and vinyl, while a collector's edition, the Vice City Collection, is being sold for 399.99 euros, though it does not include the game itself.