REPORT: Rockstar May Launch Grand Theft Auto VI Digital Only To 'Avoid Leaks'

The digital era of gaming continues to become the new normal. This could be further cemented by the news coming out indicating that Grand Theft Auto VI is likely to launch as a digital-only game. While nothing is officially confirmed, the source of the reporting comes from Polish news site PPE. Mateusz Wrobel writes that their outlet was contacted by Graczdari, a reliable leaker who reported and confirmed the PlayStation 5 port of Microsoft Flight Simulator and the Switch 2 of Sonic Racing: Crossworlds.

This source handles the sales of physical game copies in Europe, and according to them, Take-Two Interactive appears to be set to launch GTA VI digitally on consoles, with a plan for disc copies of the game to come at a later date. When is that date? Unconfirmed. Sources speculate that could be a matter of weeks or possibly even next year.

"We're hearing more and more that the physical version won't be released simultaneously with the digital version to prevent leaks," the source indicates. "We're getting conflicting reports: some say the physical version will arrive three to four weeks after the digital release, while others say it won't happen until early 2027."

Releasing digitally to control story spoilers may prove as an effective strategy, as it can limit who has public access to the game. It is a method that may be practiced with other major AAA franchises like God of War or the Last of Us. The aforementioned The Last of Us: Part II saw its story leak prior to its launch, though there was no indicators that it affected its record-breaking sales.

GTA VI was victim of a massive data breach in 2022, which revealed work-in-progress game builds that highlighted a bank heist. Very much like Naughty Dog's sequel, there's very little chance this will impact Grand Theft Auto VI's market appeal. More likely, its alleged $100 retail price tag could play a greater factor.

Rockstar is also currently embroiled in controversy for the firing of roughly 30 to 40 employees from their UK staff. The claims were over alleged data leaks and attempts to unionize. The fired staff were supported by the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain. In January 2026, the judge refused the worker's request for interim relief while the case proceeds.

Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to launch [allegedly digitally] November 19, 2026 for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. News will follow on the state of the physical release of the game.

SOURCE: PPE.pl