Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is now available for pre-order worldwide, but yesterday's announcements dampened the enthusiasm of many by confirming that the retail version of the game for both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S systems will not include the game's disc, but only a download code. However, it seems like a proper physical release will be released the following month.
Polish publication PPL, who provided correct information multiple times in the past regarding video game releases on consoles, revealed that only launch copies will include a download code, and will be followed by a proper retail release with the game disc as soon as December 2026.
As PPL's sources previously said Grand Theft Auto 6 wouldn't receive a physical edition at all, which was ultimately proven to be not exactly the case, we have to take this information with a huge grain of salt. However, if Rockstar Games' only worry were preventing leaks and spoilers as much as possible before launch, and not preventing the resale of used copies, a proper physical release launching a few weeks after the game's official debut wouldn't be entirely impossible.
GTA 6 Shows Impressive Ray Tracing, But Consoles May Not Be Able To Handle It
Besides providing some additional details on the now open pre-orders, Rockstar Games also shared a new batch of screenshots yesterday. The tech experts at Digital Foundry took an early look at them, highlighting how they are a "real showcase for the game's ray-traced reflections."
"In almost every case, ray-traced reflections are put front and centre to the camera as a clear point of pride for the studio," Digital Foundry's Thomas Morgan said. "Whether it's the polished steel of Jason's gun, the wet flooring beneath cars, or even the waxed leathering on seats - it's a constant theme. The result is a highly consistent, logical presentation of reflections across a huge range of surfaces. A benefit of this taxing ray tracing approach is that it avoids the issues of screen-space reflections (SSR) - a cheaper method common to many games today that, on its own, struggles to mirror details beyond the player's view." Although SSR will likely be used in some cases, it's evident how Rockstar Games wants ray-traced reflections front and center.
The new screenshots have a few stand out examples, such as puddles used to show the lower parts of vehicles using only a ray tracing technique, and fountains and pools doing the same, reflecting building scenery located outside of the frame. However, the high quality of ray-traced reflections, the highly detailed character models for Jason and Lucia and volumetrics, and 4K or possibly even higher resolution suggest these screenshots may not be representative of the game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, or even PlayStation 5 Pro. As such, there's a very good chance this high level of visual fidelity will only be possible for the PC version, which is launching on a yet to be confirmed release date.
Still, even if the image quality on consoles will not be on par with that seen on these screenshots, it's undeniable how GTA 6 is shaping up to be one of the most impressive open-world games ever released. Hopefully it won't be much longer until we get the first proper gameplay showcase.
About the author: Francesco De Meo has been covering video games and technology since 2012, starting his career at small outlets like Gamersyndrome and GeekSnack. After joining Wccftech gaming section in 2015, he quickly expanded his video gaming coverage with in-depth reporting, interviews with iconic industry figures such as Grasshopper Manufacture founder and No More Heroes creator Goichi "Suda51" Suda, Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami, Team NINJA's president and Nioh series director Fumihiko Yasuda, and Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama, reviews and on-the-ground coverage of major industry events such as Gamescom and E3. When he's not reporting or reviewing, Francesco can be found playing the genres he loves most, spending time with his six cats, reading, writing music, playing guitar and drumming for his progressive rock band.
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