With one week to go before "Grand Theft Auto VI" officially launches, some European players have already received boxed copies, with unboxing videos now circulating online. Although Rockstar Games previously confirmed that the packaging would not include physical discs, fans still had plenty to say after opening the case and finding an empty disc tray with its center hub intact.
According to multiple reports, the PS5 boxed edition of "GTA VI" contains no physical discs. Instead, the case includes a digital download code, download instructions and a double-sided A3 poster featuring the game’s cover art on one side and its cover girl artwork on the other. It also comes with details on upgrading to "Grand Theft Auto VI: Ultimate Edition."
▼ The Xbox version of "GTA VI" reportedly includes a smaller poster than the PS5 edition
After receiving her preorder, editor Caroline Fuller of German gaming outlet "MeinMMO" documented the delivery wait and unboxing in a live report. Fuller said opening the case left her with mixed emotions. The missing disc was especially frustrating because the case still had a hub designed to hold one, though she admitted that owning the box and poster gave her a welcome sense of nostalgia.
Many players voiced similar disappointment over the absence of physical discs in the comments section of UK gaming outlet "Push Square".
One commenter argued that putting a download code in a box was cynical enough without adding paper extras to pad out the package, insisting that players wanted a round plastic disc rather than a rectangular sheet of paper. Another questioned why Rockstar Games went to the trouble of printing a double-sided poster without using either side for the game’s map. Past entries in the "Grand Theft Auto" series frequently included physical maps, and Rockstar Games’ decision to sell the new one separately through its official store has frustrated some longtime fans.
Not everyone is disappointed with the package, however. Some fans noted that the boxed edition costs £5 less than the digital version on the PlayStation Store and includes a poster that could be displayed in a gaming room. Others argued that the lower price still makes the case and poster worthwhile collectibles, even without physical discs.