GTA 6 Goes Digital-Only: Industry Backlash, PS5 Shortages & More

Rockstar Games has ignited a firestorm of controversy after confirming that Grand Theft Auto 6 will ship as a digital-only "code-in-a-box" release, forgoing a traditional physical disc entirely. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from press and players alike, with PC Gamer calling it "a terrible, anti-consumer move" that sets a dangerous precedent for the future of physical media in gaming. In a pointed counter-move, Insomniac Games' Marvel's Wolverine team was quick to confirm their upcoming PS5 title will ship with an actual disc — and won't follow GTA 6's pricing model either, signaling that not every major studio is ready to abandon physical releases.

Beyond the format debate, the hype surrounding GTA 6's fall release is already reshaping the console market. Major retailers are warning that PS5 hardware demand could "likely outstrip supply" this holiday season, driven almost entirely by the game's release window. Pre-order data reinforces the PlayStation dominance, with PS5 orders apparently outpacing Xbox by a staggering 6-to-1 ratio — a gap fueled in part by Sony's heavy marketing partnership with Rockstar. Tech experts have also weighed in to temper expectations, cautioning that the recently released GTA 6 screenshots are unlikely to represent real-time PS5 gameplay, reviving fears of "bullshot" marketing. Meanwhile, PC players remain frustrated, with outlets urging Rockstar to stop sidestepping questions about a PC release date — a platform the studio has historically kept waiting by over a year after console launches.

Sources