Some Retailers Are Refusing to Sell GTA 6 Due to the Lack of a Disc

Video Game Plus pointed to its policy of not selling games that only offer digital codes, and as a result, it will not sell the biggest game of 2026. The retailer noted that this isn't a reflection of Rockstar Games or the game itself, but argued that it's part of their goal of preserving physical media.

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For some reason, everyone wants to just drive around and shoot people, instead of experiencing interesting stories?

What a weird take. Every single GTA game has had a story and it's pretty obvious that this one's going to have a story too. You can complain about all sorts of things to do with rockstar but that's just a weird thing to say.

Retailers should know that selling this is a poison pill. If no disc launches become the norm, then retailers will no longer serve a purpose in the industry.

They've been trying to kill the second hand market for decades and this release is the biggest threat to it yet.

Yep. Nevermind the fact that the second hand market is fantastic advertising for the companies and the quality of their games, and a surefire way to manufacture future customers.

I cant tell you how many brand new games I bought over the years, because I picked up a previous release used.

Hell, Final Fantasy is a fine example.. I got FF4 used from a garage sale.. which lead to me buying 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15.. some of those games multiple times for new platforms.

One used game, translated into additional sales of almost every game that followed.

Its such a weird thing to watch from a PC gamer perspective. The game won't release on PC for another year or longer after consoles. I'm really not feeling like I'm missing out or anything, if anything it's like I'm standing back and watching a potential train wreck from afar.

Rockstar has been hyping this game up like it's the next coming of Christ and there's just no way it lives up to that much hype. People complaining about the lack of physical media, or the confusion surrounding paid DLC. I'll just sit back and watch what happens. If it releases flawlessly with zero issues, then I'll look forward to the PC release. If it crashes and burns, well they have a year to fix it and to convince me it's worth it.

I still can’t find Ultra HD discs in the shops either - it’s easier to find low res DVDs in 2026 than 4k discs even though most TVs sold now are 4k.

I have become convinced that Sony are deliberately sabotaging their own format because Sony Pictures ran the numbers and concluded they’d make more money if everyone had to stream.

[for consoles] if it doesn't have a disc, i won't pay more than $5 for it.

unless it's stardew. then i'll buy it for every system.

"Security measure to not leak the game"

Entirely BS. How has the entire games industry existed before then?

Can we also talk about how they're locking full on content behind the ultimate edition? Not just some cosmetics, but the actual shops you'd go to in game to customize your character. In a single player game. That's fucked.

It's enough that I'm not getting the game. I can wait for PC and we'll see if they release it as a full game rather tham carve it up. This is just an excuse not to have a $100 base price so they avoid that backlash while they effectively have it for the full game.

Remember when you bought a game and it was yours?

Remember when you unlocked things in game through completion and achievement?

Remember when you bought a game you got the whole game, not 70% and access to a storefront?

Fuck AAA gaming man. I feel sorry for the devs and artists who work so hard on a game only for executives to slice it up and smear the goodwill the game had by attempting to be predatory and parasitic capitalists.

Fuck the billionaires.

It's like anything... Think about how many people ride bicycles. Now go to ANY online community where people talk about cycling; it will likely be the most insufferably pedantic assholes you can imagine.

99% of people who buy video games don't identify as "gamers", they don't read gaming media, and they certainly don't interact with gaming discussion online.

As both an industry professional (former), and a self-identified gamer, I stopped giving a shit what "core gamers" had to say 10 years ago.

They're people who followed their passions, learned the skills, and were able to join those companies and have secured an income, which we have tied to our very survival.

Can we blame them for being used by corporations when the alternative could be homelessness and societal outcast? Especially in this current fascist regime with less and less social protections? Even more so if they have families to provide for.

I'm sure they're aware. But we've yet to achieve class consciousness. They're made to believe they have no choice. Corporations union bust and threaten that you're replaceable and that there are no jobs.

Devs aren't the enemy. They're working class just like us. Executives psychologically, financially, and physically manipulate and abuse us. They're the enemy we need to focus on.

He does!

Buying only a download code is essentially a gift card.

"Ownership" should not imply the DRM you purchased it through can revoke said "ownership" whenever it becomes convenient. If you still have to ask permission to play something you "own", I don't call that ownership.

Until you can’t download it anymore.

The “retro” gaming market is going to absolutely suck in 30 years because you don’t “own” anything.