Physical Media
Ongoing coverage on Physical Media.
Latest coverage
GTA 6 Physical Copies Won’t Include Discs, Just Download Codes
Rockstar Games has confirmed that physical editions of Grand Theft Auto 6 will not contain discs but will instead include a download code. This approach allows for preloading on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S starting November 12, a week before the November 19 release date. All preorders and purchases before November 20 will receive the Vintage Vice City Pack DLC.
GTA 6 physical copies will be a digital code in a box, no disc included
Rockstar Games has confirmed that physical copies of Grand Theft Auto 6 will not include a disc, but rather a digital download code. This decision means players will need to download the full game, with pre-loading available from November 12th ahead of the November 19th launch. While this aligns with the industry's shift towards digital distribution, it may disappoint consumers who prefer physical ownership and the option to resell games.
GTA 6 Physical Edition Doesn't Come with Discs, It's a Code in the Box
The physical edition of Grand Theft Auto 6 for PlayStation 5 will not include discs; instead, it will contain a digital download code. Pre-orders for both digital and physical versions will be available soon, with pre-loading starting a week before the November 19, 2026 launch date.
GTA 6 physical copies are a code in a box, as Rockstar confirms they won't come with a disk
Rockstar Games has confirmed that physical copies of Grand Theft Auto 6 will not include a disc, but rather a code for a digital download. This decision is reportedly a measure to prevent pre-launch leaks. Physical editions will be available in stores a week early, on November 12, 2026, to allow for pre-loading.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Physical Copies Won't Include a Disc, Will Just Be a Code in a Box
Rockstar Games has announced that physical copies of Grand Theft Auto 6 will not include a game disc. Instead, purchasers will receive a box containing only a digital download code for the game.
De-digitize your life with 12 retro gadgets that will send you straight back to the 90s this Prime Day
This article discusses the trend of de-digitizing life by embracing physical media and retro gadgets, particularly in the context of Prime Day sales. It highlights the appeal of physical albums, DVDs, Blu-rays, and MP3 players as an alternative to streaming services and digital downloads. The author, who covers gaming hardware for GamesRadar+, shares personal experiences and mentions relevant gaming platforms like PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.
Deku Deals now lists which Nintendo Switch 2 games are on the cartridge
The Deku Deals website now indicates which Nintendo Switch games are released on physical cartridges versus game-key cards. This feature helps consumers identify games that include the full game on the cartridge.
Amazon’s 3 4K Blu-Rays For $33 Deal Returns This Month
Amazon is running a limited-time promotion offering three 4K Blu-rays for $33, with eligible titles priced at $11 each. The sale includes a variety of films such as Dirty Harry, National Lampoon's Animal House, 1917, and Candyman. This deal is available ahead of Prime Day and automatically applies when three qualifying Blu-rays are added to the cart.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Is Another PS5 Disc That Requires a Download to Actually Play
The physical PlayStation 5 version of Halo: Campaign Evolved requires a mandatory download to be playable, a common trend that raises concerns for game preservation. This means the disc itself is insufficient to play the game, making physical copies potentially useless if online support is ever removed.
Lies of P on Nintendo Switch 2 physical includes game on cartridge
The physical release of the souls-like game Lies of P for the Nintendo Switch will include the full game on the cartridge, avoiding the use of a Game-Key Card. This practice is becoming a rarity for third-party releases. Developers Neowiz and iam8bit are being praised for this approach.
Gruv’s Latest Sale Is A Goldmine For 4K Blu-Ray And Steelbook Fans
Gruv is holding a limited-time sale on physical media, offering significant discounts on 4K Blu-rays and Steelbook editions. The promotion includes deals such as two Steelbook Blu-rays for $34 and two 4K Blu-rays for $24, with various movie and TV collections also available at reduced prices.
Morning Consolidation
Microsoft is reportedly exploring a system called Positron that could allow Xbox physical game discs to be converted into digital licenses. This technology would enable players to redeem their disc-based games digitally, potentially offering a new way to access their game libraries.
Physical Game Fans, Beware: Digital Downloads Hit an Astonishing 85% on PS5, PS4 Last Quarter
Digital game purchases accounted for 85% of sales on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 in Sony's most recent financial quarter, marking a record high for the brand. While physical media sales have decreased significantly over the past decade, they still represent a substantial market, suggesting future consoles like the PlayStation 6 may continue to offer physical options, albeit potentially without a standard disc drive.
Assassin's Creed Fans Furious as Physical Copies of Black Flag's PS5 Remake Will Require Internet
Physical copies of the upcoming PlayStation 5 remake, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced, will require an internet connection to install the game, as indicated on the box art. This decision has led to backlash from fans who are frustrated with the increasing reliance on digital requirements for physical game releases. Ubisoft has not yet provided a specific reason for this mandate.
GameStop Is Trying To Capitalize On PS5's Reported New Online Requirement
GameStop is capitalizing on reports that Sony may implement a 30-day online requirement for digital game licenses on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The retailer is offering discounts on preowned physical games, promoting ownership and offline play as an alternative to Sony's potential new policy. Sony has not officially commented on the reported requirement.
Game Manuals Were Gaming's Golden Age, and We Threw It All Away | HappyGamer
This article reflects on the lost art of physical game manuals, contrasting them with modern digital tutorials and pop-ups. It argues that these detailed booklets, filled with lore and artwork, created a deeper player connection and anticipation that is missing in today's convenient but less ceremonious gaming landscape.
FOTO: Menelusuri Lorong Waktu Tren Musik di Record Store Day Market
The Record Store Day Indonesia Market x Pop City: Music Edition featured stalls for physical media releases, album signings, live music performances, and talks. The event explored music trends through the lens of physical media and the Record Store Day initiative.
Meet the Man Making PS5 Manuals for Your Physical Games
Sandeep Rai is creating physical game manuals for modern PlayStation titles, including for the PlayStation 5, to recapture the nostalgia of older gaming eras. His efforts have led to hundreds of sales for his custom manuals, with popular titles like Bloodborne and Astro Bot being best-sellers. Rai aims to fill the gap left by publishers who have largely abandoned physical manuals in favor of digital releases.
Physical vs Digital Games: Souls Fans Spark Collection Debate
A debate has resurfaced among gamers, particularly Souls series fans, regarding the merits of physical versus digital game ownership. While digital offers convenience and instant access, physical collectors value the tangible aspect of owning games as artifacts. The article suggests a hybrid approach, where highly valued games are kept physical while others are acquired digitally, acknowledging that the core of the debate lies in control over one's game library.
Amazon’s Counterfeit Game Problem Reaches Nintendo Switch Physical Copies
Amazon is facing a significant problem with counterfeit Nintendo Switch game cartridges being sold directly through its platform, even with the "shipped and sold by Amazon" label. This issue is particularly concerning for physical game collectors due to the sophistication of the fakes and the speed at which they are appearing in circulation, raising questions about Amazon's inventory management and the future of physical game collecting.
