G2A.COM survey finds GTA VI buyers still want choice, not just digital

A G2A.COM survey of more than 2,000 marketplace users finds that interest in Grand Theft Auto VI is split almost evenly between digital and physical formats, underscoring that even digital-first gamers still value flexibility, ownership and collector extras. The results suggest consumer demand is shifting toward broader choice in how games are bought, used and preserved.

Why it matters: - G2A.COM’s survey suggests digital-first gaming has not erased demand for physical media, ownership rights or collector value. - The results point to a broader consumer expectation in entertainment: buyers want flexibility in format, payment, access and price. - The findings matter for publishers and marketplaces as GTA VI approaches release and consumer demand remains unusually high.

What happened: - G2A.COM surveyed more than 2,000 marketplace users about how they would prefer to buy a major release such as Grand Theft Auto VI. - 38% chose a digital download. - 37% chose a physical disc. - 25% said they had no preference or did not plan to buy the title.

The details: - 47% of respondents said they would be less likely to buy a full-priced AAA title at launch if only one purchasing format were available. - 69% said the ability to resell, trade or lend games can influence their decision when buying full-priced titles. - 59% said physical-edition extras such as steelbooks or art books could affect their purchase. - 34% expect physical games to become mostly a niche collector proposition within five years. - 23% believe physical discs will be nearly phased out for new releases within five years. - 77% said they are concerned to some degree about long-term game preservation in a more digital market. - 58% said they are very concerned about game preservation. - 70% of respondents said they primarily play on PC, where digital distribution is already the norm.

Between the lines: - The survey challenges the idea that digital-first consumers want fewer choices. - G2A.COM’s read is that digital maturity is increasing consumer expectations around selection, control and convenience rather than replacing one format with another. - The results also show that hype around a blockbuster release does not erase pragmatic buying behavior tied to price and flexibility. - Marketplace data adds context: GTA VI-related traffic on G2A.COM rose 65-fold during a surge in June, and July accounted for 48% of all GTA VI-related traffic recorded between January and July. - GTA VI became G2A.COM’s most wishlisted game in 45 countries. - Katarzyna Jakubiec, chief business officer at G2A.COM, said the market is entering a new phase of digital maturity and that players want greater control over how they access and use content.

What's next: - G2A.COM expects the games market to keep moving toward broader access and more purchase options rather than a single dominant model. - The company argues that the future of entertainment will be shaped by multiplying choice, not limiting it. - G2A.COM’s marketplace model is positioned around offering a broad range of offers and price points so users can choose what fits their needs. - More information is available in the press kit.