Two video game retailers have announced they will not stock the physical edition of Grand Theft Auto VI after Rockstar Games confirmed that boxed copies will contain a digital download code instead of a game disc.
The move comes after Rockstar revealed on June 24 that physical versions of the highly anticipated title would require players to download the game digitally using a code included in the box. GTA 6 is scheduled for release on November 19 and will retail for $79.99.
Canadian retailer Video Games Plus (VGP), a company that has operated for nearly four decades, said the release does not align with its current business policy.
“Our company policy is that we do not carry physical products for video game consoles that contain only a digital download code,” VGP said in a statement shared on social media platform X.
The retailer added that while it has “tremendous respect for Rockstar Games,” it would not offer the game either online or in stores unless a disc-based version becomes available.
US-based retailer Loot Box Gaming has taken a similar position, stating that it would not stock GTA 6 if the reports regarding the code-in-box format prove accurate.
“When we started LBG, it was out of a love for our favorite form of media,” the company wrote. It added that selling products that do not properly serve customers would conflict with its core values.
Responding to a social media user who suggested the decision would have little impact on Rockstar’s overall sales, Loot Box Gaming said, “We hope GTA 6 has immense success, but we can’t go against our business practices in the process either.”
While neither retailer represents a major share of the game’s expected global sales, their stance highlights growing concerns among physical game collectors and consumers who prefer traditional disc-based ownership.
Prior to Rockstar’s announcement, some industry observers speculated that the company might skip a physical release altogether to minimise leaks before launch. Instead, Rockstar appears to have opted for a code-in-box format, a decision that has generated mixed reactions across the gaming community.
The debate reflects a broader industry shift toward digital distribution, with publishers increasingly moving away from physical media.
Grand Theft Auto VI remains on track for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
