Take-Two CEO Defends GTA 6's Digital-Only Release, Compares Physical Copies to Vinyl Records

Strauss Zelnick, the head of Rockstar's parent company Take-Two, has come out in defense of the company's choice to skip a physical disc release for GTA 6, arguing that for major titles, discs "don't really make sense for the consumer."

During a Q&A session with analysts following the company's Q1 2027 financial results, Zelnick avoided commenting directly on Sony's controversial plan to stop producing physical discs for PlayStation games starting in 2028. However, he did state that for GTA 6, a disc version is simply not a logical option.

"Our business is well over 90% digitally distributed," Zelnick said. "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 cases, you have to register online to play anyway. 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."

Last week, Sony finally addressed its decision to phase out PlayStation discs, saying it is not affecting its business now and that it doesn't foresee any negative impact in the future. Executives have insisted Sony will not reverse course, while acknowledging the "strong views" held by the gaming community.

The online backlash has led gamers to continue urging Sony to reconsider, signing online petitions and flooding PlayStation's social media with concerns about game preservation and ownership. This has even overshadowed the release of new games unrelated to Sony's situation. Meanwhile, physical media advocates have called for a week-long PlayStation boycott in August to send a clear message that Sony's decision to eliminate discs by 2028 is unacceptable.

Complaints have also come from other organizations. The UK's Digital Entertainment and Retail Association (ERA), for example, labeled Sony's decision "a triumph of corporate convenience over consumer choice."