GTA VI's digital-only boxes spark concerns about the fate of physical games
Rockstar announced GTA VI will cost $79.99 and that physical copies will contain only a download code, with no disc—highlighting a broader shift to digital distribution. While digital offers convenience (instant downloads, storage efficiency), it raises concerns about ownership, permanence, and the ability to resell or share games, and could set a precedent if more publishers follow suit. The piece notes rising digital sales (e.g., Capcom's 93% digital in the last year), the lack of disc drives in modern consoles, and suggests leaks and the game's large file size as possible reasons for going digital. It also cites comparable approaches like game-key cards and other digital-only or code-in-a-box releases, warning that widespread digital-only could weaken the physical market and complicate long-term preservation.
