Breaking Into Stores, Faking IDs, and Flying Drones: How Far Is Too Far for an Early Grand Theft Auto VI

Grand Theft Auto VI hype is entering the phase where demand for information can become just as intense as demand for the game itself. Even with multiple delays cooling some of the early momentum, the pressure curve is rising again as the reported November 19 launch approaches, and the appetite for early footage, early impressions, and any shred of new detail is getting louder by the day.

That craving has reignited a long running industry anxiety: leaks that come from physical supply chains. On X, Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly, a creator known for conversations with former Rockstar Games employees, floated the idea that Take Two could choose to avoid a traditional retail disc launch specifically to reduce early leaks and physical theft risk. In his words, Grand Theft Auto VI is so large that physical copies would be a magnet for early exposure, and he framed a retail presence as a major vulnerability in an era where the game’s information value is almost as high as its commercial value.

The rumor of GTA 6 not having a physical launch I 100% believe. GTA 6 is going to be the biggest launch in entertainment history and by a wide margin, nothing will ever come close to it. I have said this before but no studio is going to be able to match what GTA 6 will do for… pic.twitter.com/s1fiEP1WJk

— Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly (@kiwitalkz) January 28, 2026

Kiwi Talkz also escalated the conversation beyond ordinary leak fears. He claimed there are “crazy Rockstar fans” who would attempt illegal behavior to obtain discs early, and added that he has heard stories from developers over the years involving extreme attempts to gather information, including faking IDs and flying drones near windows. The point is not that these acts are common, but that even a small number of people acting irrationally can create outsized risk when the target is the biggest entertainment launch on the calendar.

Another X user, reinforced the broader pattern by pointing to how hype driven scarcity can trigger criminal behavior in other collector markets, specifically referencing break ins related to Pokémon cards. The parallel is straightforward: when the perceived resale value, clout value, or attention value spikes, some people stop acting like fans and start acting like opportunists. 

This is where the conversation gets uncomfortable but necessary. The question is not whether digital first is convenient. The question is whether physical retail, for a title this high profile, becomes a net negative when you factor in operational risk, employee safety, and the reality that one early disc in the wrong hands can detonate story spoilers across the entire internet within hours. A digital first approach would not eliminate leaks completely, but it can collapse the number of physical touch points where theft, coercion, insider access, or supply chain diversion can happen.

There is also a bigger industry implication hiding inside this debate. If Take Two leans into a digital first posture for Grand Theft Auto VI, it is not just about one game. It could set a new baseline for how publishers treat launch security for blockbuster titles. The business logic is simple: retail presence offers visibility and tradition, but it also expands the attack surface. In a world where every second of spoiler footage becomes a viral commodity, the risk profile changes.

At the same time, it is worth calling out the line clearly. Breaking into stores, manufacturing facilities, or attempting to access restricted spaces through deception is not fan behavior. It is criminal behavior, and it puts workers and the broader community at risk. The industry can harden its processes, but the cultural message needs to be just as strong: wanting an early look does not justify harming people, violating privacy, or committing crimes.

If Take Two does go digital first, it would be a major strategic pivot and a signal that leak risk and real world safety concerns now outweigh the upside of a traditional physical launch day footprint. Whether that becomes the norm may depend on what the rest of the industry learns from the Grand Theft Auto VI launch cycle.

How do you feel about a digital first launch for Grand Theft Auto VI, is it a smart security move, or does it cross a line by sidelining retail and collectors?