- Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick defended the decision not to release GTA 6 on a physical disc, stating that discs 'don't really make sense for the consumer.'
- During a Q&A following the company's Q1 2027 financial release, Zelnick noted that over 90% of their business is digitally distributed.
- Zelnick compared physical releases to vinyl records, suggesting that while they may still produce physical editions occasionally, they won't make sense in many cases.
- GTA 6 pre-orders launched on June 25th, with Zelnick describing the volume as 'unprecedented and astonishing.'
- Sony's announcement to phase out physical disc production for PlayStation games by 2028 has sparked significant backlash from gamers.
- Zelnick's comments came in the context of Sony's decision, which has been met with criticism, yet he emphasized that digitalization is the future of gaming.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has dismissed backlash over the digital-only release of GTA 6, arguing that physical discs are becoming obsolete. During a Q&A after the company’s Q1 2027 financial results, he stated, “Our business is well over 90% digitally distributed.”125
Zelnick emphasized that for major titles, “discs just... don’t really make sense for the consumer.” He noted that most players must register online to access games, making digital downloads equally convenient. “Who cares if you download digitally? It’s all the same,” he added, suggesting that the industry is evolving towards a digital future.
Despite concerns from gamers, pre-orders for GTA 6 have been described as “unprecedented and astonishing,” with the standard edition priced at $79.99 and the Ultimate Edition at $99.99. Zelnick acknowledged that while there may be occasional physical editions, the trend is clearly moving towards digital.
The UK’s Digital Entertainment and Retail Association criticized Sony’s decision to phase out physical discs, calling it “a triumph of corporate convenience over consumer choice.” However, Zelnick believes that both Take-Two and Sony are aligned in their understanding of the market's direction. He stated, “It doesn’t mean that we won’t have physical additions now and then... but in other instances, it just won’t make sense.”
As the gaming industry shifts, Zelnick's comments reflect a broader trend towards digitalization, with both Take-Two and Sony pushing to adapt to changing consumer preferences.6
“Zelnick noted Take-Two's business is over 90% digitally distributed, and GTA 6 pre-orders have been 'unprecedented and astonishing' despite the controversy. Sony's decision to phase out PlayStation discs from 2028 drew criticism from the UK's ERA, calling it 'a triumph of corporate convenience over consumer choice.'”
consequence.net
Forbes
