Grand Theft Auto 6 download codes will expire in Japan on May 8, 2027.
According to Rockstar’s support page, download codes will no longer work 170 days after the game’s November 19 launch due to “regional regulations”.
These regulations refer to Japan’s Payment Services Act, enforced by the Financial Services Agency of Japan (JFSA).
IGN reports that the regulation requires digital code sellers to reserve funds in case a company ceases operations. This rule does not apply to products expiring in less than six months.
In June, Rockstar announced that physical copies of GTA 6 will include a download code rather than a disc.
This announcement preceded Sony’s decision to discontinue physical disc production for new PlayStation games starting January 2028.
Sony said the decision was made “in response to shifting trends in consumer preference and the broader entertainment industry” as it moves from physical to digital formats.
Sony later clarified to developers and publishers that they can reorder existing PlayStation discs after the production end date.
Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser shared his opinion on the ongoing debate, noting that “if people want that, I think companies should provide it.”
“I also think that, as critical as people are of digital releases, the ability to update and fix problems in games has been really useful for the quality of games.”