‘People will accept it’: Industry analysts say GTA VI having no disc version ‘won’t make much difference’

June 25, 2026 - 04:36

Industry analysts are largely shrugging off the possibility that Grand Theft Auto VI could launch without a physical disc version, arguing that the shift to digital has already been accepted by the vast majority of players. While the rumor has sparked debate among collectors and physical media enthusiasts, experts suggest the move would have little impact on sales or consumer behavior.

"The audience for GTA VI is so massive and diverse that a digital-only release would still break every record," one analyst noted. "People will accept it because they want to play the game. Convenience has already won." They pointed to the growing dominance of digital storefronts and the decline of brick-and-mortar game sales over the last decade as evidence that the market has already moved on.

However, the analysts are split on what this means for physical game retailers like GameStop. Some believe the loss of a major new release on disc would be a severe blow, potentially accelerating the chain's decline. Others argue that retailers have already adapted by focusing on collectibles, merchandise, and pre-owned hardware, and that GTA VI going digital is just another step in an inevitable transition. One analyst summed it up bluntly: "For the core audience, it won't make much difference. For the stores, it's another nail, but the coffin was already built."