GTA 6 avoids boycott after 'deeply regrettable' PlayStation reveal

Grand Theft Auto VI has managed to avoid a boycott on PlayStation 5 despite many gamers threatening to abandon the console due to Sony’s newly announced commitment to an all-digital future.

Rockstar Games’ next release isn’t innocent within all of this, also opting for a digital-only release; physical copies will be available as a ‘code in a box’ which isn’t a true physical copy at all.

Even still, it’s one thing for individual games to abandon physical media; it’s another for an industry behemoth to pack it in altogether.

Sony recently confirmed that it’ll cease offering disc copies from January 2028 onwards - and that includes third-party games as well as first-party.

GTA VI went on sale a couple of weeks ahead of Sony’s announcement and shifted plenty of pre-orders during that time.

It’s not yet known precisely how many copies have sold so far. Any information floating around on that front is not credible.

Since then, however, a boycott has come into effect. PlayStation users are encouraging each other to cancel their PlayStation Plus subscriptions and stop purchasing digital games.

It’s very, very unlikely that PlayStation will reverse its decision due to negative chatter. It’ll simply ride out the storm.

Don’t miss our guide to pre-ordering GTA VI: GTA 6 Pre-Orders: Editions, Price, And Where To Buy On PS5 And Xbox

If users are going to make an impact, they’ll need to protest with their wallets.

There are plenty of calls to action online. “Sony will deeply regret and possibly backtrack this terrible anti-consumer decision,” wrote Reddit user Revo94.

“Please cancel your 12-month PS Plus subs,” posted basixuser. “You gain power without losing access till it's too late for Sony/PS.”

“I canceled mine as soon as I found out. But I actually fully intend to leave PlayStation if they stick with this plan. I’ll go to Nintendo, PC or Xbox if they get it together,” replied rebelweezeralliance.

READ MORE: 9 Potential GTA 6 Features That Should Secure Its Game Of The Year Status

And yet, GTA VI sales aren’t slowing down .. but that’s not a total surprise

A quick trip over to GTA VI’s subreddit, though, and you’ll see that fervour for the game hasn’t wavered amid all of this backlash to what’s being dubbest as the “best” platform to play GTA VI on.

“After working extremely hard and looking forward to this moment, it finally happened,” posted gr3yc4t26, showing proof of their pre-order on the PlayStation Store.

“Regardless of whatever is going on right now over the whole physical vs digital stuff, I have been working really hard these past months for this and this is an extremely emotional moment for me as I do not make big purchases like this often,” they continued.

“If there are some out there that are bothered by it because of the physical debate then I'm sorry, nothing will affect a moment like this and I will forever cherish it. Will be seeing all of you in November, take care and stay safe!”

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Despite the all-digital controversy, you cannot at all blame people for being hyped for GTA VI’s launch, regardless of how it arrives come release day.

“Congrats, I will be getting a PS5 this week too, I can't wait!,” replied raw1469, while Deluxe_24_ added, “Congrats brother, this game is gonna be sick.”

GTA VI hasn’t totally escaped controversy. Certain US retailers have refused to stock its ‘code in a box’ physical copies which may slightly knock sales.

Even still, it feels like the game is well on track to become one of the best-selling of all-time - especially when it's bolstered by the inevitable eventual PC port further down the line.