Sony is under fire over region-locked PlayStation Network codes for physical copies of Grand Theft Auto VI, set to launch on November 19, 2026.
Physical PS5 editions of GTA 6 include a digital download voucher instead of a disc.
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These codes are tied to specific PSN account regions, blocking players in unsupported countries from activating imported copies without creating secondary accounts.
Sony supports approximately 73 official PSN regions, covering major markets like North America, Brazil, parts of Latin America, the UK, Japan, South Korea, and select Asian and EMEA nations.
Players outside these zones face significant barriers.
Xbox Versions Avoid Region Locks
Rockstar Games confirmed that physical Xbox editions of GTA 6 do not enforce regional account locks, allowing codes to work worldwide.
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This highlights a key difference between console platforms, with Xbox offering more flexibility for international players.
Additional challenges affect specific regions, such as Japan, where local regulations require physical download codes to expire 170 days after release.
Failure to redeem the voucher within that timeframe renders the purchase invalid.
Similar infrastructure issues occurred earlier in 2026 when mandatory PSN logins blocked PC players in unsupported territories from accessing Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls.
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The digital-first transition continues to create activation friction for players outside primary distribution regions.
