GTA 6’s Rumored Launch Controversy Is A Necessary Evil

5 days ago 11

grand theft auto 6 release date physical copies controversy

Published Jan 29, 2026, 6:01 PM EST

Jared is a writer, editor, and Communications Studies graduate who loves popular nerd culture (almost anything to do with Marvel, DC, Star Wars, or The Lord of the Rings) and the interactive storytelling medium. Jared's first console was the PS1, wherein he fell for Spider-Man, Spyro the Dragon, and Crash Bandicoot.

Grand Theft Auto 6’s development has been plucked by leakers for years now. There are still remarkably few official details about the game, including what actual gameplay looks like, with rumors and leaks being all that are swirling nowadays, beyond sparse Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer releases. In all, leaks have denied Rockstar the absolute secrecy and privacy that it deserves as it continues polishing what is sure to be one of the most momentous and successful video game launches of all time.

Leaks and spoilers won’t affect how popular or revered Grand Theft Auto 6 will be. In fact, leaks may be responsible for why Grand Theft Auto 6 is so highly anticipated, whether or not they’re legitimate. The rumor that Rockstar is delaying Grand Theft Auto 6’s physical copies until after launch would certainly be controversial, if true, but Rockstar arguably has every reason to do so in order to preserve the sanctity of Grand Theft Auto 6.

Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures

grand theft auto 6 release date physical copies controversy (1)

If Rockstar’s excuse for wanting to possibly delay a physical release is to avoid further Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks and spoilers, it’d be as good as any. It’s become painfully obvious how big a target is on Grand Theft Auto 6’s back in terms of leaks, and it isn’t at all out of the realm of possibility that someone could get their hands on an early physical copy even days before the release date and maliciously exploit that privilege.

In such circumstances, Rockstar should be justified in temporarily confiscating physical release, so that there is not yet another opportunity for leaks and spoilers to spread. It’s difficult to imagine that Grand Theft Auto 6’s sales would be affected, let alone plummet, due to a divisive choice like this, either. However, it would be unfortunate to have one less way to buy the game, compounded by the fact that Grand Theft Auto 6 won’t be on PC at launch.

Rockstar Deserves To Launch GTA 6 With No Spoilers

It’s unclear how much could be spoiled for Grand Theft Auto 6 in a way that would shatter players’ potential fun with the game. Grand Theft Auto 6’s Jason and Lucia are brand-new characters, not legacy characters, and we have not yet begun bonding with them via gameplay.

That said, while these two protagonists aren’t beloved characters reprised from a previous game like John Marston was in the Red Dead Redemption franchise, Red Dead Redemption 2’s Arthur Morgan was proof that a brand-new character’s story could be equally heartbreaking and dramatic.

Spoilers about Jason and Lucia’s possible fates at the end of Grand Theft Auto 6’s story would be frustrating, to say the least. After as long as we’ve waited for Grand Theft Auto 6, it would be disastrous to have such details leaked and spoiled for the public before many gamers actually have a chance to play Grand Theft Auto 6 and experience its narrative beats themselves.