The industry’s move towards a digital system of distribution is inevitable, but Rockstar may be preparing to set the trend in motion sooner than anticipated. According to the Market Research Group Newzoo, all copies of Grand Theft Auto V will be shipped in boxes sans disc, instead containing some collectible merch and a download voucher. Should Newzoo’s report (uncovered by Industry Gamers) be accurate, the shift to an all-digital sales push by one of the games industry’s biggest brands could have a market wide effect with both AAA and indie releases.
“There are a lot of reasons why publishers are pushing towards digital distribution of triple-A games.” explained Newzoo CEO Peter Warman, “Speaking out loud might harm the relationship with retail partners, but the benefits have become too large to remain silent about the desire to go completely digital. The ultimate objective being to launch games faster, create continuous revenues on a title and simply to make more money.”
“Will retail disappear from the picture? Of course not. Retail will always remain an important channel to promote and distribute games. Retail has a strong hand to play when it comes to eyeballs and… boxes make a nice gift.” Warman continued, “Boxed games will not disappear, but what is in the box will. That is why the boxed GTA V version will contain a collectible piece of merchandise and a download code. No disc.”
(via Official Xbox Magazine)
Do you think Rockstar will push an all-digital release for Grand Theft Auto V? What effects do you think such a launch would have on the industry at large? Comment below!
GTA5 will not be a download only on all systems, but they will probably have the option to download it off the different services. PC sales most likely be downloaded and not bought in stores.
See, the thing is, GTA is too big of a title not to put on store shelves.
I hate ‘download only’ stuff unless it’s a very small game like most ‘indie games’ are, not everyone has a friggin 50mb internet speed like the average US internet, here in the UK the average is about 5 or 8MB, other countries have even less =/
So hope it’s not going to be download only even on PC.
And just personally I’ve always loved just having a real copy of a game. Main reasons are I like the things like posters or maps in games like Elder Scrolls and GTA games.
One other reason, and this might be very weird, I like the smell of the stuff inside a new unopened game =P