Physical editions of Grand Theft Auto 6, set to launch in November, will not contain discs. Instead, players will receive a code within the game's box that grants access to a digital download. This approach is standard for the upcoming title, but in Japan, these codes will have an expiration date.
Reports indicate that codes included in Japanese physical copies of Grand Theft Auto 6 will expire 170 days after the game's release on November 19. This means that by May 8, 2027, the codes included in copies sold in Japan at launch will no longer be valid, rendering the physical purchase effectively worthless.
This expiration is attributed to Japan's Payment Services Act. This law mandates that companies selling prepaid goods or services must deposit at least half of the value of each item sold with the Japan Legal Affairs Bureau to protect consumers. However, companies can circumvent this requirement if the prepaid code expires within six months of its issuance. The 170-day expiration period for GTA 6 codes in Japan aligns closely with this six-month window.
Rockstar Games has not officially commented on the matter, but this situation highlights a potential trend as the industry moves towards digital distribution. While physical copies are still desired by some consumers and retailers, the necessity of using codes that may expire or become obsolete presents a unique challenge. Kotaku has reached out to Rockstar Games for further information regarding this regional restriction.