GTA VI is a worrying sign for the future of physical games

Rockstar Games has finally given Grand Theft Auto VI a price ahead of the game’s November 19th launch. But while announcing that the game would cost $79.99, Rockstar also confirmed that the physical versions of GTA VI won’t include a disc, and instead will only contain a download code inside the box . Not only is that a disappointing decision for people who like to own physical games, but given the scale of the next GTA , it also sets a bad precedent for the rest of the industry. It’s no secret that digital games have overtaken physical ones. The sales data proves it: Capcom, for example, recently announced that 93 percent of its games were sold digitally in its last fiscal year , and it expects that number to go up next fiscal year. Devices like the PlayStation Pro, Xbox Series S, and Steam Machine don’t have an included disc drive, further exacerbating the issue. There are a lot of advantages to buying digital. You can start a download from your couch. You can store multiple games on one hard drive so you don’t have to get up to play something else. Storefronts like Steam or the PlayStation Store don’t run out of inventory of the newest game you’re interested in, and you can often get games at a cheaper price thanks to frequent sales. But it’s becoming increasingly clear that digital ownership has significant disadvantages, too. …