Grand Theft Auto VI is reportedly smaller in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand than in other regions, raising concerns that Rockstar Games may have removed certain content to meet local regulations. The differences emerged after GTA 6 preloads began on November 10, ahead of its November 19 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
According to Game*Spark, the Japanese version requires approximately 208.725 GB on PS5, compared with 209.913 GB in most other regions. Xbox players have reported a similar difference, with the Japanese version measuring 208.74 GB against 209.86 GB globally.
Why GTA 6’s Smaller File Size Is Raising Concerns
The difference is particularly noticeable in Japan, where the game is approximately 1.2 GB smaller. According to Automaton, Japan’s CERO Z rating includes warnings for violence and crime but does not display a sexual content warning.
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Meanwhile, European and American ratings explicitly mention strong sexual content, leading some players to suspect that the Japanese release contains modified scenes.
Australia and New Zealand show a much smaller difference. As Video Games Chronicle reports, dataminer Tex2 discovered that their versions lack a file named core_restofworld001, measuring approximately 704 KB.
Another file, core_restofworld, measures roughly 1.28 GB and has raised questions about region-specific content.
However, the exact purpose of these files remains unknown.
Has Rockstar Confirmed GTA 6 Censorship?
Rockstar Games has not confirmed whether GTA 6 contains censored content in either region. Differences in download sizes can also result from regional assets, localization files, or packaging changes.
The company has previously discussed the game’s protagonists, including how Jason and Lucia’s relationship changes through player choices.
For now, players will need to wait until launch or an official explanation to determine whether these regional differences affect gameplay, missions, or adult content.
Rockstar’s official support page confirms that GTA VI launches on November 19, 2026, with preloading already available on supported consoles.
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