GTA 6 Physical Copies Hit by Missing Code and Flashlight Claims

Polygon reported on Saturday that some code-in-box physical copies of Grand Theft Auto 6 have arrived without a usable redemption code, days before the game's Nov. 19 launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Online posters separately claim a flashlight angled through the side of a sealed box can make the download code visible from outside, an idea covered by RockstarINTEL and Shattered.

According to Polygon, the affected copies include a redemption leaflet with a grey strip that looks like scratch paper but cannot be scratched off. The strip has the look but not the texture for scratching, so the code cannot be revealed. Retailers began distributing physical pre-orders on Nov. 12 so players could pre-load the game, and affected copies have been reported on both PlayStation and Xbox versions, Polygon said.

Polygon also reported that Best Buy has refused refunds in some cases, while Amazon has returned money to some buyers and GameStop reportedly told customers to contact Rockstar, citing a manufacturing defect. Some Reddit users said Rockstar support closed their tickets without providing a solution, Polygon noted. The missing-code issue does not appear widespread given the scale of pre-launch sales, the outlet added.

RockstarINTEL reported that fans have shown how a powerful flashlight angled through the side of a sealed box can make the full download code visible. The claim began on ResetEra and X, and Engadget reported it; Rockstar and Take-Two have not confirmed it, Shattered wrote. According to RockstarINTEL, Push Square said U.S. copies use a camouflage pattern that blocks the code, and GamesRadar tested U.S. and UK PS5 copies with the flashlight trick but could not see the codes on either version; however, some PEGI-rated copies may use a plain black strip instead of the protective pattern, potentially making them more vulnerable. No confirmed reports exist of anyone successfully stealing a code this way, RockstarINTEL noted.

Shattered noted that Rockstar's support page states "a disc will not be included in the box," and Sony lists the product as "Physical (Code-In-Box)." Rockstar also said, according to Shattered, that the code can be redeemed to pre-load the game and that a code from one region will not work on an account registered in another region. Shattered said no confirmed case of a code being stolen or prematurely redeemed had appeared in reporting.