€20 discount on GTA 6 pre-order price shows why end of physical games means less deals

Some GameStop employees reported slower-than-expected GTA 6 pre-order sales. Still, the code-in-box format hasn’t prevented the title from selling out at Amazon France. A €20 discount was too enticing to pass up, but similar deals may disappear with the demise of physical games.

Healthy competition

GTA Boom reported that the normally €80 Rockstar Games release was in stock for as low as €60. In France and other European countries, digital marketplaces, led by the PlayStation Store, aren’t as dominant. The continued demand for Xbox and PS5 discs drives intense competition among retailers.

Amazon’s supply of GTA 6 pre-orders vanished, but it remains discounted at stores like E.Leclerc. In the U.S., sales are common, although 25% reductions on new arrivals are rare. Regardless, buyers are more likely to see lower prices on Blu-ray versions than digital SKUs in the future.

A recent Dutch study confirmed how sales on the PS Store are often less enticing than deals on physical games. They typically don’t last as long, while discs eventually see permanent price cuts.

Deal hunters are watching closely

The decision to dramatically scale back PS5 disc production in January 2028 has produced widespread protests. It’s also prompted lawsuits, with accusations that the PlayStation Store is a monopoly. Since 2019, other retailers have been unable to sell vouchers for digital games. There are now fears that Sony will gain even tighter control over pricing.

In its unwelcome blog post, Sony hinted that new games will be available on competing storefronts. Whether vouchers are returning or it’s referring to the code-in-box solution is unclear. Aside from discounts on the GTA 6 pre-order price, brick-and-mortar locations may struggle to attract customers without Blu-rays.

When consumers buy the physical version of the Rockstar crime-epic, the only benefit is a plastic case. The digital code inside has no advantages over a PlayStation Store purchase and, once redeemed, can’t be resold. In response to complaints from collectors, some stores, like Video Games Plus, have refused to stock the title.