Grand Theft Auto VI fans frustrated by the lack of a disc in early physical copies may only have to wait a few months for a proper alternative, according to a new report from a trusted leaker in the physical games industry.
The Backstory
Rockstar Games surprised many this week by confirming that the physical edition of GTA VI will not include a disc at launch — instead, it will ship as a code in a box. Buyers will still be able to pick up the physical case ahead of release to preload the game, but for collectors who wanted a true disc-based copy, the news landed as a disappointment.
What the Leaker Is Saying
According to Graczdari, a well-regarded figure in European video game distribution who has a track record of accurate reporting on physical media, a disc version of GTA VI is expected to arrive in December. The way it reportedly works: the first wave of physical copies will be code-in-a-box editions, and only after that initial run will disc-based versions become available.
That timing detail matters because it implies a hard cutoff. Once the code-in-a-box copies sell out — which, notably, they've already started doing — there may be no way to order that version again before launch. Whether Rockstar opts to produce more of these code-only copies remains to be seen.
Adding some official weight to the "limited" framing, Rockstar's own pre-order page reportedly notes that the code-in-a-box edition is available "while supplies last."
In translated comments, Graczdari summed up the situation simply: the code-based release is essentially a one-time print run, with the disc version following afterward.
Why a Discless Launch in the First Place?
This isn't the first time this topic has come up. Back in January, Graczdari had already suggested GTA VI might skip a physical disc altogether as an anti-leak measure — the idea being that keeping discs out of circulation makes it harder for the game to leak early. At the time, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick pushed back, stating there would be a physical component available at launch. As it turns out, both were sort of right: there is a physical version, just not one with a disc inside — at least not yet.
What This Means for Fans
If accurate, this report suggests anyone holding out for a "real" disc copy should keep an eye out closer to December rather than rushing to grab the current code-in-a-box pre-order. Of course, this is all based on insider/leaker information rather than an official Rockstar or Take-Two statement, so it's worth treating as likely — not confirmed — until the companies say otherwise.
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