If you’re a follower of video game news it’s hard to escape discussions around physical games at the moment. The primary driver for which has been PlayStation’s stunning announcement that they will cease to produce physical PlayStation games from January 1, 2028. The ‘no disc, no buy’ movement from an angry PlayStation physical game community just won’t go away.
The PlayStation news didn’t arrive long after Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI announced its pre-order details and plans for a physical release. The physical release of Grand Theft Auto VI for both PlayStation 5 and XBOX Series X|S will be a ‘code in a box’, allowing you to redeem it at the respective store for a copy of the game. Rockstar have since shut down the discussion that the game would release on a disc at a later date.
Whilst many are left wanting for a physical disc version of the biggest game release of all time, there is another development for the Japanese ‘physical’ version of the game. According to a Rockstar Games support article, PlayStation 5 codes for the game will have to be used within a few months from launch: “Product codes in Japan will expire 170 days after the issuance date, which is the launch date (November 19, 2026) due to regional regulations.”
Rockstar encourage PlayStation gamers to secure a ‘physical’ copy of GTA VI from their home region, since PlayStation codes are region specific. XBOX Series X|S copies of the game will be unaffected as XBOX codes aren’t region locked.
Although many are, understandably, upset GTA VI won’t have a disc copy, there is some solace that the ‘physical’ version of the game will be delivered a week early. with pre-installing enabled from November 12. Often physical owners have struggled to download and install games ahead of release.
One hundred and fifteen days until the cultural event of the year, and the gaming event of the generation, Grand Theft Auto VI launches on November 19, 2026.
Are you picking up GTA VI digitally or the ‘physical’ version? Or is it, ‘no disc, no buy’?? Let us know in the comments below or join the friendly and active Gamer Social Club Discord to chat about GTA VI and all your favourite games.
