GTA 6 release marks biggest change to PlayStation in decades with beloved feature removed forever

The hype for Grand Theft Auto 6 is reaching feverpitch, but it looks like it will herald a sad change for PlayStation players.

With pre-orders finally going live last week, millions of eager gamers have already secured their copy of GTA 6 ahead of its November 19 release date.

Developers Rockstar have reportedly already made billions on the game and that's without a proper gameplay trailer even being released, let alone the game itself.

Fans have rushed to buy it five months early as those with pre-orders will be able to download the game a week before release to ensure it's ready and raring to go on their console the second it finally comes out.

However, there has been one ominous cloud to all the silver linings, as a lot of GTA fans have been left gutted that a physical disc of the game won't be released.

Even if you buy an actual box from a shop, it will only contain a download code.

Game development has often followed the direction of pioneers Rockstar, and now PlayStation are abandoning discs, too.

PlayStation plan on getting rid of game discs

A screenshot of GTA 6. (Rockstar)

In a bombshell statement on Wednesday, July 1, Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications senior director, Sid Shuman, revealed the company will be discontinuing the production of discs.

It's not just for their own in-house published games, either, and instead includes 'all new games' releasing on PlayStation consoles.

Discs will be stopped from January 2028, it said, with games only available on the PlayStation Store and in digital formats from shops.

The statement called the decision a 'natural' one and pointed towards 'consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs' as the reasoning.

Though it's said that the transition will not affect games already released or ones that will be released before 2028, it has sparked fears over backwards compatibility and potential lost media for future generations of consoles, as well as concerns of higher prices of digital games compared to physical ones and over media ownership.

The new GTA 6 box art

The news comes days after Sony announced it will be removing 551 films and TV shows from the PlayStation store in the UK on September 1, 2026, which means even people who have previously bought the media will no longer be able to access it.

The official UK X account for Domino's were among those criticising the decision, as they posted: "Makes about as much sense as us changing to digital pizzas."

One angry social media user replied to PlayStation's announcement, writing: "You are killing ownership. You are killing legal preservation. You are killing discoverability. You are killing publishers. You are killing developers. This is a move that might slightly improve bottom lines, but tear down every other aspect of this medium. Well done!"

Another user added: "Then stop selling digital games for the same price as physical ones too. You're removing the printing, box, and shipping prices from the equation completely so I shouldn't be paying $70 for digital games any more."

A PlayStation fan account added: "I have no words, final nail in the coffin of the company I once loved."

LADbible Group has approached PlayStation for comment.

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GTA 6 releases in November (Rockstar)

Sony's full statement on stopping discs

The full statement from PlayStation said: "As consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry continue to shift away from physical discs to digital, physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting January 2028. Following this date, new games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only.

"This transition has no impact on games that already released, or will be releasing, prior to January 2028 in disc format.

"This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs.

"This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today.

"We’ll continue to prioritise our resources to drive innovation in how players can access games and provide choices as to where players prefer to purchase new games, whether that’s at retailers or PlayStation Store.

"We remain committed to delivering a world-class gaming experience to our fans and we thank you for your continued support."