According to a report by the Polish publication PPL, Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is set to get a more “complete” physical version later this year. While pre-orders for the game open this Thursday (25), the initial physical version hitting store shelves will only contain a digital redemption code inside the box. However, players who are willing to be a bit patient will eventually have the chance to take home an edition that actually includes a physical disc containing the game files.
The information comes from PPL, an outlet whose sources have proven to be highly reliable in the past. It claims that Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive are planned to begin distributing the disc-based physical media sometime in December of this year.
If this report proves correct, the decision to make GTA 6 strictly digital at launch may be part of a deliberate strategy to prevent early spoilers and data leaks. By releasing an actual disc version slightly later, the companies responsible aim to satisfy both game collectors and the individuals or outlets that deal in the video game resale market.
Digital foundry questions console visual fidelity
In tandem with opening pre-orders, Rockstar Games also released several screenshots of the game. A standout feature highlighted in these images is the implementation of Ray Tracing, which delivers highly realistic reflections.
While praising the showcased results, tech outlet Digital Foundry has raised questions regarding whether these graphics will actually be seen in practice during gameplay. The site notes that these visual elements might not correspond to what current-generation consoles can realistically deliver, even when taking the PS5 Pro into consideration.
“We would like to be positively surprised, of course, and we will have an answer when it launches,” Digital Foundry explained. “However, in many cases the combination of a high quality image, suggesting a native 4K rendering (or higher) and inconsistent lightings on background characters generate doubts about how much this is viable.”
Platform availability & launch schedule
Because of these limitations, Digital Foundry believes that the absolute maximum visual quality of GTA 6 will likely only be achieved on a PC version, which has not yet been officially confirmed. For this year, the title will only be available on select platforms:
Confirmed Platforms: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
