Wondering why GTA 6 is a code in a box? Take-Two CEO says it’s because gaming is now ‘well over 90% digital’

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has explained why physical copies of Grand Theft Auto 6 come with a code in a box Zelnick said the company's business is "well over 90% digital" He adds that Rockstar priced the Standard and Ultimate Editions well and that "the pre-orders have been exceptional" Take-Two

<![CDATA[ <article> <ul><li><strong>Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has explained why physical copies of </strong><em><strong>Grand Theft Auto 6</strong></em><strong> come with a code in a box</strong></li><li><strong>Zelnick said the company's business is "well over 90% digital"</strong></li><li><strong>He adds that Rockstar priced the Standard and Ultimate Editions well and that "the pre-orders have been exceptional"</strong></li></ul><p>Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has defended the publisher's decision to release physical editions of <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/gta-6"><em>Grand Theft Auto 6</em></a> with just a digital download code in the box rather than a game disc.</p><p>During an investor Q&A session, Zelnick was asked to comment on Sony's plan to end production of game discs in January 2028. While the CEO didn't directly address the matter, he did suggest that a physical edition of <em>GTA 6</em> won't matter because its business is over 90% digital (via <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/jasonschreier.bsky.social/post/3msilkyu2ic2q" target="_blank">Jason Schreier</a>).</p><p>"Our business is well over 90% digitally distributed," Zelnick said. "It's already a digital business."</p><p>When Rockstar Games finally announced the price of <em>GTA 6</em>, it also confirmed that <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/gta-6-physical-copies-have-a-download-code-in-the-box-and-fans-arent-happy-the-biggest-game-to-ever-launch-and-thats-all-the-effort-youre-putting-in-for-physical">physical copies won't come with a disc</a>, but a code instead which stirred up a bit of controversy. </p><p>Until now, Take-Two hasn't addressed the situation, but it seems that the publisher's decision to forgo discs is down to digital sales being more lucrative for the company.</p><p>Speaking separately with <a href="https://www.thegamebusiness.com/p/could-no-physical-disc-and-a-trade?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=4150086&post_id=210227940&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=3lsrf5&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email" target="_blank">The Game Business</a> about the same matter, the outlet mentioned that retail has been a key marketing channel for games such as <em>GTA</em>, which Zelnick said was "a good point" and "is why we offer code-in-a-box," and once again mentioned that its business "is well over 90% digital."</p><p>Take-Two also revealed (via <a href="https://variety.com/2026/gaming/news/gta-6-preorder-sales-take-two-earnings-1236829396/" target="_blank">Variety</a>) that it <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/the-level-of-pre-orders-is-unprecedented-take-two-reportedly-made-usd1-39-billion-in-sales-during-gta-6s-pre-order-period">earned $1.39 billion from <em>GTA 6</em> pre-orders </a>in just five days with what Zelnick called "unprecedented and astonishing" sales.</p><p>Players have the option to choose between <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/the-gta-6-editions-arent-what-we-expected-heres-whats-included-in-the-standard-and-ultimate">a $79.99 / £69.99 Standard Edition and a $99.99 / £89.99 Ultimate Edition</a>, the latter of which comes with an exclusive collection of additional content, which has also rubbed some fans the wrong way.</p><p>But according to Zelnick, Rockstar priced the editions just right.</p><p>"I think that Rockstar got it right in terms of the pricing of this standard edition and the pricing of the deluxe edition [Ultimate Edition], and I think there’s no doubt that consumers are really excited about both,” Zelnick said.</p><p>"And I think depending on your own ability to pay and how avid a consumer you are, you can choose between them. But the pre-orders have been exceptional, and we’re happy with the mix as well."</p><p><em>GTA 6</em> launches on November 19 for <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/ps5">PS5</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/xbox-series-x">Xbox Series X</a>, and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/xbox-series-s-1tb-review">Series S</a>. A new look at the game, titled <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/we-could-finally-get-next-gta-6-trailer-as-rockstar-announces-special-extended-look-that-will-premiere-on-netflix">'Grand Theft Auto 6: An Extended Look,'</a> will premiere on Netflix on August 27.</p> </article> ]]>