GameStop cancels GTA 6 disc pre-orders after no-disc plan

GameStop says it has canceled pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI that were tied to physical discs after the retailer learned the publisher confirmed GTA 6 will be digital-only. The company announced the cancellations for orders placed in its stores and on its website.

The cancellations apply to customers who reserved boxed copies through GameStop’s pre-order program. GameStop said it will stop accepting new disc-based pre-orders for the title. The company has not provided a detailed public timeline for notifying affected customers or for processing refunds.

Customers with outstanding pre-orders are being asked to check their account messages and payment statements for instructions. GameStop’s customer service channels remain the primary route for questions about canceled orders, refunds, or alternative purchase options.

A digital-only release removes the need for retailers to stock boxed copies. Retailers that take physical pre-orders will need to adjust inventory and sales plans if publishers choose not to offer discs for a major release. Publishers have increased digital distribution in recent years; not releasing a disc means sales will occur through console and platform storefronts rather than through boxed retail channels.

Grand Theft Auto is developed by Rockstar Games and published by Take-Two Interactive. The Grand Theft Auto name and logos are trademarks of Take-Two Interactive. The series has previously been released in both physical and digital formats; physical editions are often sought by collectors.

The publisher has not publicly detailed how it will handle distribution on console storefronts or whether special editions or separate physical merchandise will be offered. For now, customers who want access at launch will need to use the digital storefronts associated with their platforms.

Earlier, we reported that GTA 6 pre-orders exceeded FIFA and Call of Duty combined.