GTA 6 Physical Copies Feature Region Locked PS5 Codes and No Discs
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Physical copies of PS5 GTA 6 include region-locked voucher codes instead of discs, raising legal questions across European markets over digital geo-blocking.
As pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 roll out across the globe, players are taking a close look at how the biggest release of the decade is being distributed. Recent storefront listings spotted by Eurogamer reveal a major catch for anyone buying a physical PlayStation 5 version from online retailers. Instead of a traditional game disc, the physical box simply contains a single-use voucher code. Once redeemed, that code locks the game to your PlayStation Network account forever, meaning the physical package offers no resale value whatsoever.
The complications do not end with the lack of a disc. Major UK retailers including Amazon, GAME, Smyths, and ShopTo have added warning labels to their PS5 listings stating that the included codes can only be redeemed on accounts registered within the United Kingdom. Smyths has applied a similar restriction for its Republic of Ireland storefront. This regional locking raises serious legal questions under European Union regulations, which strictly prohibit the geo-blocking of digital products across European Economic Area borders. The European Commission previously handed out heavy fines to Valve and multiple publishers in 2021 for similar regional restrictions on Steam.
Adding to the confusion, other European retailers are displaying conflicting information. Stores in Germany and France show either broader regional usability across the EMEA PlayStation zone or no geo-restriction warnings at all. Meanwhile, equivalent warnings initially spotted on Xbox Series X/S listings have largely vanished, keeping in line with Microsoft's historically region-free approach to game codes. As players navigate the shifting details of digital ownership and physical packaging, you can read the full investigation over at Eurogamer.
Original Source: Eurogamer
Tags: GTA 6, PlayStation 5, Gaming News, Digital Ownership, Industry
Original article: Eurogamer