GTA 6 breaks another tradition: by not including a disc, the second-hand market disappears from day one

The decision by Rockstar has generated criticism among those who continue to bet on the traditional physical format.

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The confirmation that Grand Theft Auto VI will arrive in box format with a download code, but no disc, is sparking intense debate among players. Although stores will sell physical versions of the game, inside there will only be a download code, a decision that completely changes the way many users have bought and sold video games for decades.

For some players, the most important consequence is not the absence of the disc itself, but what it implies in the long term. If each copy is linked to an account through a digital code, the possibility of reselling the game once completed disappears completely.

GTA 6 could mark the beginning of the end for second-hand sales in major releases

Until now, even the most important titles in the market maintained a traditional physical edition that allowed for exchange, lending, or selling the game once finished. With GTA 6, that will no longer be possible from launch.

The situation is especially striking because we’re talking about one of the most anticipated video games of all time. Never before has a production of this caliber completely dispensed with the disc from day one, something that many players consider an important precedent for the future of the industry.

Criticism has been swift on social media, where numerous users lament that one of the historical advantages of physical format is disappearing precisely in such a relevant release. Others, however, consider that the move was inevitable given the growth of digital sales and the need to prevent leaks before the release.

For now, Rockstar has not announced if a disc edition will exist in the future. The only confirmed thing is that the physical copies that will arrive in stores on November 19 will include exclusively a download code, a decision that could change forever the way many players buy major releases.