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GTA 6 Codes for Physical Editions Will Expire 170 Days After Launch in Japan
IGN • • technology
Key Points:
- Rockstar's physical copies of Grand Theft Auto 6 in Japan will not include a disc but instead provide a digital download code that expires 170 days after launch due to regional regulations.
- The expiration policy stems from Japan's Payment Services Act, which requires sellers of digital codes to reserve funds to protect consumers if companies fail, with a loophole allowing codes to expire within six months to avoid this requirement.
- This decision has sparked frustration among gamers, who worry about the inconvenience of expiring codes and the broader shift away from physical media toward an all-digital future.
- The move follows Sony's announcement to cease printing game discs by January 2028, fueling debates about digital ownership and consumer rights in the gaming industry.
- Some players are organizing protests against Sony's digital-only direction, including calls for a service blackout to express dissatisfaction with the transition away from physical game copies.
