GTA 6's download is smaller in Japan and Australia: what we know

The GTA 6 preload is about 1.2 GB smaller in Japan than in most of the world, and very slightly smaller in Australia and New Zealand. Players in Japan suspect content has been cut to meet local rating rules. Not announced Rockstar, Take-Two and Sony have not explained the difference, and nobody outside Rockstar knows yet what is missing.

Kotaku reported the sizes on November 11, the day after preloading opened, after Japanese players and the Japanese site GameSpark noticed the gap.

The download sizes

These are the sizes Kotaku reported for the preload:

That is about 1.19 GB less on PS5 in Japan. Confirmed Rockstar’s own guidance is that the download needs up to 212 GB depending on your device, so plan for that wherever you live. Our file size guide has the space needed on each console.

Why players think something was changed

Japan. Analysis Games sold in Japan are rated by CERO, a board Kotaku calls notoriously harsh. Japanese players expect GTA 6’s missing gigabyte to be content trimmed for that reason. That is a reasonable guess, but it is a guess: a smaller file can also come from different language files, videos or packaging.

Australia and New Zealand. The difference is tiny. Kotaku points to Australia’s tougher rules on gambling in games, and notes that GTA Online’s casino was removed in Australia this summer. It also says GTA 6’s Australian rating looks no different from its ESRB and PEGI ratings, so the game has not been refused classification there.

Not announced Kotaku asked Take-Two for comment. No answer had been published when we wrote this, and we will update this page if Rockstar explains.

What the full version is rated

Confirmed In North America the ESRB rates GTA 6 M for Mature 17+, listing Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, and Use of Drugs and Alcohol, plus In-Game Purchases. Our ratings post explains each one and the PEGI 18 rating in Europe.

What it means if you live there

Analysis For now, nothing you need to act on. The preload works the same way, and the unlock time is the same rolling midnight. If you are in Japan and want to know exactly what differs, wait for Rockstar, Sony or reviewers to say so rather than trusting lists that appear before launch: nothing about the content is confirmed.

Buying a copy from another region’s store to get a different version is not something we would recommend. Store accounts, payment cards and codes are tied to regions.

Common questions

Is GTA 6 censored in Japan?

Not announced Nobody has confirmed it. The file is about 1.2 GB smaller, and players suspect edits for the Japanese rating, but Rockstar has not said what the difference is.

Will the Australian version play differently?

Not announced Unknown. The size gap is very small, and Rockstar hasn’t said what it is. GTA 6 has an Australian rating, so it is on sale there as normal.

Does a smaller download mean a faster preload?

Barely. One gigabyte out of about 210 makes no real difference to how long the download takes. Your connection matters far more; our preload and download guide has the steps.