Rockstar Games’ announcement of an $80 preorder price for its upcoming blockbuster did not exactly go swimmingly. Some gamers are protesting, as physical boxes of GTA 6 wouldn’t come with a disc — just a digital download code for the PS or Xbox Store. Not to mention, parts of the game are locked behind the $100 Ultimate Edition. However, relief may be on the way for physical media fans.
According to Polish media outlet PPE.pl via Google Translate, insider Graczdari said that GTA 6 copies with a download code will be replaced by a traditional, disc-based physical edition. The disc version is expected to arrive as early as December 2026; a month after the November 19 launch and just in time for the holiday shopping season.
“Generally, the code version will be a single run, and then there will be an option for a disc release,” Graczdari reportedly told the site. The insider previously claimed GTA 6‘s physical edition would only contain a download code before Rockstar officially announced it.
The rumor also gained a bit more fuel following a response from Rockstar’s customer support. In a screenshot shared online, the support message stated that the current GTA 6 digital version is only for preorders. A physical copy would be available ‘during the coming months.’ While that doesn’t explicitly confirm a disc release, considering it comes from a support chat message, it does get collectors’ huffing copium.
Meanwhile, it’s not just the gamers that aren’t thrilled about Rockstar’s current plan of releasing GTA 6 in download codes. Canadian retailer Video Games Plus and independent store Loot Box Gaming have both announced they won’t stock GTA 6 as it only contains ‘code-in-a-box.’ Both stores cited their commitment to ‘preserving physical media and game ownership’ as the reason for passing on what’s going to be the biggest release of 2026.
For now, though, take this news with a grain of salt. Rockstar has yet to officially announce whether it’ll actually release a disc-based version of GTA 6. But if it’s true, then physical collectors may only need to wait a few extra weeks before getting the real thing.
