Take-Two Interactive has openly addressed the future of physical games. According to CEO Strauss Zelnick, physical discs no longer make much sense for major modern releases, as the vast majority of the company’s business has moved to digital distribution. The statement is particularly notable as Take-Two prepares for the release of Grand Theft Auto VI without a traditional game disc.
More Than 90% of Take-Two’s Business Is Digital
During a financial briefing, Zelnick said that more than 90% of Take-Two’s business now comes from digital distribution. As a result, the company sees little reason to maintain physical discs as the standard format for major releases.
Zelnick’s main argument is convenience. Modern games often require an internet connection, account registration, and substantial downloads regardless of whether players purchase a physical copy or a digital version. From the publisher’s perspective, simply downloading the game is therefore the easier option.
However, Take-Two does not expect physical editions to disappear overnight. Zelnick compared their future to vinyl records: they may survive as a niche product for collectors and enthusiasts, but they are unlikely to remain the standard way people purchase games.
GTA VI Is a Clear Example of the New Approach
Grand Theft Auto VI is perhaps the clearest example of this strategy. The game is scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, but its physical edition will not contain a traditional game disc. Instead, the box will include a digital code.
For Take-Two, this is about more than convenience. Moving away from discs gives publishers greater control over sales. A physical game can be resold, traded, or purchased on the second-hand market, while a digital code is effectively tied to the original purchase.
Digital distribution also gives publishers more control over pricing and promotions. The absence of a disc can additionally reduce the risk of physical copies reaching players well before a game’s official launch.
Physical Games Are Not Disappearing Yet
Despite Take-Two’s position, it is too early to say that physical games are about to disappear completely. Physical releases still have a dedicated audience, particularly among collectors and players who want to own something tangible.
The difference is that physical games are increasingly becoming an alternative rather than the default. For publishers, digital distribution means lower manufacturing and distribution costs, while updates, patches and additional content can be delivered directly to players.
For gamers, however, the issue is more complicated. A physical copy can be resold, lent to someone else, displayed in a collection and, in some cases, used without depending entirely on a digital storefront. That makes the decline of physical discs more than a simple technological change — it also affects how players perceive ownership.
Take-Two appears to have already chosen its direction. Physical discs are unlikely to vanish overnight, but for the biggest game releases they are gradually shifting from a standard product into a niche option for collectors and enthusiasts.
