GTA 6 may not arrive in physical format on launch day to avoid leaks

A report points out that Rockstar would prioritize the digital release and delay the disc edition.

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The launch strategy for Grand Theft Auto 6 could be different from the usual approach. According to a new report from Europe, Rockstar Games and Take-Two are considering not releasing a physical version on the first day, with the goal of minimizing potential leaks before and during its release.

The information has not been officially confirmed, but it fits with the game’s recent history, which has suffered several significant leaks in recent years. If confirmed, the debut of the highly anticipated title would be exclusively digital on consoles, at least for the first few weeks.

GTA 6 prioritizes digital format to avoid leaks

The report comes from the Polish media outlet PPE.pl and cites an insider known as Graczdari, linked to the distribution of physical video games in Europe. According to this source, there are currently no plans for a physical edition at launch, although its arrival later on is almost certain.

Internal information suggests different scenarios: some point to a delay of three or four weeks compared to the digital version, while others place the physical release in 2027. In any case, the decision would be motivated by the risk of physical copies arriving at stores or players before the official release, which in the past has led to premature broadcasts and spoilers.

The context reinforces this possibility. Grand Theft Auto 6 was already a victim of a massive leak in 2022, with over an hour of development material, and in 2023 its first trailer was published prematurely on social media. This adds to other precedents within the saga itself, such as leaks of previous installments before their commercial release.

For now, the official release date remains set for November 19, 2026, after several changes to the calendar. It is expected that by mid-February, there will be more information about Rockstar and Take-Two’s definitive plans regarding formats and distribution.