physical is dead weight if the disc is just a download key

I'm planning our crew's launch day like a heist. Comms, roles, payout efficiency. The physical vs digital debate is a loadout question now. If the disc is just a license check and you still need a 100GB day-one patch, what's the point?

1. Pre-load. Digital unlocks the second servers go live. No driving to a store, no waiting for a delivery that might be late. You're in the lobby while physical buyers are still copying data.
2. No disc swap. I don't want to hear a drive spin up during a stakeout. It's a liability. Digital is silent, always ready.
3. Ultimate Edition. The $99.99 version with the Vintage Vice City Pack is a digital pre-order. You want those bonuses for roleplay and early cash, you go digital. No disc version of that pack exists.

Physical is a plastic coaster if the game isn't on it. I'm not paying $79.99 for a download key in a box. My crew's comms are tight, our loadouts are optimized, and our game delivery will be too. Are any of you still buying the disc just for the shelf, or is everyone going digital this time?

Call it a plastic coaster if you want. At least a disc doesn't need Rockstar's permission to boot on launch night.

At least a disc doesn't need Rockstar's permission to boot on launch night.

Server-side authentication is standard procedure now. Disc or digital, you're checking in at launch. I'm going digital for zero deploy time. No disc swaps during a hot pursuit. Silent loadouts matter. Physical media is a liability in the field.