- Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick defended the company's decision not to release GTA 6 on a physical disc, stating that for big games, discs simply don't make sense for consumers.
- During Take-Two's Q1 2027 financial release, Zelnick compared physical releases to vinyl records, emphasizing that discs are not practical for large games.
- Zelnick stated that commercial streaming mode is expected to be available in about three years, which could potentially multiply the install base by ten.
- Zelnick dismissed concerns regarding a labour dispute with ex-Rockstar employees affecting the launch of GTA 6, stating he is not concerned about the issue.
- GTA 6 is anticipated to be the biggest entertainment launch of all time, scheduled to arrive on November 19.
- Take-Two's business is primarily digital, with over 90% of its distribution being digital, according to Zelnick.
- Zelnick noted that the install base for gaming consoles is expected to be similar to when GTA 5 launched, indicating no concern about a smaller audience.
- Despite the ongoing labour dispute involving Rockstar, Zelnick emphasized the company's strong labor relations and low attrition rates.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has defended the company's choice to release GTA 6 exclusively in digital format, arguing that physical discs are becoming obsolete. He stated, “Our business is well over 90% digitally distributed,” emphasizing the convenience of digital downloads over physical copies.15
During a recent Q&A following Take-Two's Q1 2027 financial report, Zelnick remarked that “discs just don’t really make sense for the consumer”, especially for major titles like GTA 6. He noted that most players are already online, making digital access more practical. “You can’t play new video games without being online,” he added, downplaying concerns about the absence of a disc version.
Zelnick also discussed the future of gaming, predicting that “commercial streaming” will be viable within three years, which he believes will significantly expand the gaming audience. He stated, “That doesn’t mean we’re going to 10x our revenue, but we do think it creates great opportunity for titles that are broadly desirable.” This shift towards streaming could potentially increase the install base of games by tenfold, according to Zelnick.37
Despite the digital-only approach, Zelnick reassured stakeholders that Take-Two remains committed to innovation, hinting at future developments in gaming technology. He concluded, “We’re not concerned about selling to a smaller audience.” GTA 6 is set to launch on November 19, 2023, and is anticipated to be the biggest entertainment release ever, following the success of its predecessor, which sold 230 million copies worldwide.4
“Zelnick says the company's business is 'well over 90% digitally distributed' and that 'everyone is online,' so discs don't make sense. He also dismissed a labour dispute with ex-Rockstar employees, noting the case is going to tribunal in the UK.”
Eurogamer.net
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