a physical gta 6 box without a disc is just expensive packaging

Rockstar says the physical version will include a download code instead of a disc. That is not a physical game to me. It is a souvenir box with extra steps. A disc is not perfect ownership either, especially when modern games need patches, but at least it contains something usable. A code can be redeemed once and then the box becomes decoration. No lending it to a friend. No used copy. No shelf copy that works after an account problem. I understand why a giant game wants preload support. I still think calling a code in a case physical is marketing language, not a product description.