The Thursday letters page sees readers reacting strongly to the news that Grand Theft Auto 6 physical copies will contain only a download code, not a disc. Priced at £75, this move has prompted some to consider boycotting the game, while others await a possible physical edition. Meanwhile, discussion continues on the Star Fox remake and what the future might hold for the series.
Taking a Stand Against Digital-Only
One reader, freeway 77, argues that the only effective protest is to not buy the game: "The only way to make an impression is to hit them in the pocket. Companies follow the money and if the sales aren’t quite up to where they wanted or expected, then they will have no choice but to release a physical copy." They note that it will have been over 13 years since the previous GTA title by release, so waiting a few more months for a physical copy is reasonable. "I’m not much of a fan anyway so I won’t be buying it, but I suspect a lot of people will."
Pricing and Format Concerns
Bobwallett questions the value: "£75 for a game box with no disc? No manual I’d imagine too. Is this the real theft happening now?" They plan to wait for the PC version, even if it arrives two years later. Another reader, DB, is considering a boycott: "I’m not liking the fact that GTA 6 physical copies will only contain a code. I’m feeling like I might boycott the game in protest. Games should be available on disc or digital." They express hope that other companies won't follow this practice, noting that download-only games are currently a minority except for indies.
Wait-and-See Approach
Ryan 90s hero takes a more patient stance: "I suppose it was predictable that GTA 6 was going to be digital only at launch. Oh well, guess I’ll just wait on the physical edition, should they ever release such a thing." They have plenty of other games to play in the meantime.
Sonic's Place in Gaming
Vida reflects on Sonic's decline since the Mega Drive era: "Sonic has never been a contender outside of that one console. The second he moved onto the Saturn and beyond it all fell apart." They note that Sonic Frontiers, the best 3D effort, sold less than 5 million copies, and many indie games outsell it. "He might sell movies and T-shirts, but he sure doesn’t sell games."
Star Fox Remake and Future Possibilities
Marc observes a pattern with Nintendo remakes: MercurySteam's Metroid 2 remake led to Metroid Dread, and Grezzo's Link's Awakening led to Echoes of Wisdom. He expects a Star Fox remake could similarly spawn a new sequel. However, GameCentral notes: "Star Fox has never been a big seller, so the remake’s success is far from assured. But if it is a hit then, yes, we would not be surprised to see Nintendo greenlight a new game."
Modernising Star Fox
Panda suggests that if budget weren't an issue, Star Fox could adopt the cinematic set-piece approach of Naughty Dog or Sony Santa Monica games. "The obvious issues are the budgets for God Of War, Uncharted, and Spider-Man, and a likely reluctance for any sensible business to dedicate that sort of resource to a game like Star Fox."
Short and Sweet
Onibee hopes the Star Fox remake does well but worries its old-school gameplay may not appeal today: "I remember back in the N64 days even, a lot of my friends thought it was too short and simple." They wonder if a new game would have been better than an expensive remake.
Inbox Also-Rans
Xane notes the 30th anniversary of Quake passed with little fanfare, suggesting reboot rumours are unlikely. HEJ highlights that GoldenEye 007 was the second-best selling N64 game, with multiplayer that younger gamers may not fully appreciate.
