Take-Two Boss Defends No Disc Version of GTA 6, Equates Physical Releases to Vinyl Records

Strauss Zelnick, the head of Rockstar's parent company Take-Two, voiced his support for the company's decision not to include GTA 6 on a physical disc, arguing that such a move doesn't align with the preferences of consumers. During a recent Q&A session following a Q1 2027 financial report, Zelnick was asked about Sony's plan to stop producing physical discs for PlayStation games starting in 2028.

While Zelnick refrained from commenting on Sony's decision directly, he elaborated on why a physical disc version of GTA 6 was not a practical solution. "Over 90% of our business is digitally distributed, so it's already a digital business," Zelnick explained. "In many cases, especially for big games, discs simply don't make sense for the consumer.

You typically need to register online to play, so if you're already connected, why bother with a physical copy?" Furthermore, Zelnick noted that the move to digital distribution is a trend that even Sony seems to be aware of. "We certainly understand that [the shift to digital]," he said, "and while we won't discard physical media entirely, it's clear that in certain instances it just won't make sense anymore."

Zelnick also mentioned that physical releases will still exist, similar to how vinyl records coexist with digital music. "There will still be occasional physical releases, much like you still have vinyl in the music industry." Despite Sony's assertion that the decision to eliminate PlayStation discs won't affect its business, both Sony and Take-Two have acknowledged the strong opinions of gamers regarding this matter.

This has led to various forms of online backlash, including petitions and social media campaigns, with gamers expressing concerns over video game preservation and ownership. Some consumer groups, such as the UK’s Digital Entertainment and Retail Association, have criticized Sony's decision, calling it a "triumph of corporate convenience over consumer choice."