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Rockstar Games has reignited a debate among Grand Theft Auto fans after announcing a physical soundtrack for Grand Theft Auto 6, despite the highly anticipated video game itself being planned as a digital only release.
The company announced a 34 track soundtrack compilation that will be released on CD and vinyl alongside the game. The collection is expected to feature music from a wide range of artists, including rapper Travis Scott, country star Morgan Wallen and British singer PinkPantheress.
The announcement has attracted attention because of the contrast between the physical soundtrack and Rockstar's decision not to release the game itself on disc. Some fans have described the situation as ironic, questioning why physical media is being embraced for the music while the game will reportedly be distributed digitally.
Music has traditionally played an important role in the Grand Theft Auto series. Players can listen to different radio stations while driving through the game's fictional cities, with stations typically organised around particular musical genres. The games have become known for introducing players to both established and emerging artists.
The sixth instalment is expected to continue that tradition while expanding the role of music. Rockstar has described the upcoming title as featuring a dynamic score and an evolution of its in game radio system.
For musicians, appearing in a Grand Theft Auto title can provide significant exposure. Previous games have demonstrated the ability of the franchise to introduce older songs to younger audiences and generate renewed interest in artists.
Tom Petty's "Love is a Long Road", which featured in the first trailer for GTA 6, reportedly experienced an enormous increase in Spotify streams after the trailer was released. The Pointer Sisters' "Hot Together" similarly gained renewed attention after appearing in the game's second trailer.
Music publication MusicEXP also reported substantial streaming increases for several songs featured in promotional material. Captain & Tennille's 1980 track "But I Think It's a Dream", for example, reportedly rose from just 70 Spotify streams in one week to more than 80,000.
Other songs have also benefited. Cliff Richard's "Devil Woman" reportedly surpassed one million streams, while Prefab Sprout's "Cars and Girls" experienced a notable increase in weekly listeners. Shazam activity around several songs also rose following the release of promotional footage.
However, not every artist has welcomed the association. Martyn Ware of synth pop group Heaven 17 previously criticised Rockstar over negotiations concerning the use of the band's 1983 hit "Temptation", describing the proposed payment as inadequate.
The soundtrack announcement highlights the unusual relationship between gaming and the music industry. For Rockstar, music is not simply background entertainment. It has become an important part of the identity of the Grand Theft Auto franchise and a powerful platform capable of reshaping the fortunes of songs decades after their original release.
