Strauus Zelnick, the CEO of “Grand Theft Auto” developer Rockstar Games’ parent company Take-Two Interactive, has defended the company’s stance on “Grand Theft Auto VI” not getting a physical disc release.
Speaking in a Q&A with analysts via IGN, Zelnick says he believes gamers don’t care about discs – even with the large online backlash about this issue going on.
Pre-orders for the game launched on June 25th with fans vocally upset about the decision to skip a physical disc – the retail edition in physical stores will only contain a download code. Speaking on the call, Zelnick says:
“Our business is well over 90% digitally distributed. It’s already a digital business. So in certain instances, especially if it’s a big game, discs just – and note I said discs – don’t really make sense for the consumer.
Also, [in] most instances, you have to register online to play anyhow. So if you’re already connected, who cares if you download digitally? It’s all the same and it’s much more convenient.
So that’s where the world is going in our opinion and I think Sony understands that. We certainly understand that.
It doesn’t mean that we won’t have physical additions now and then, I’m sure we will in the same way that there’s still vinyl in the recorded music business. But in other instances, it just won’t make sense.”
Within a week of Take-Two’s announcement, Sony PlayStation famously revealed they will be forgoing physical discs starting in 2028, which has caused even more of a furore.
The next reveal from the game comes via Netflix, which is offering an ‘extended look’ at the game on the streamer on August 27th.
