GTA 6 censorship has become a hot topic just days before launch. Many players are planning to switch their console region to New Zealand or Japan so they can play hours ahead of everyone else. However, a viral video warns that doing so could mean missing out on some content.
The claims are based on new datamining of the game’s files. But the full picture is far less certain than the video suggests.
What are the GTA 6 censorship claims?
In the video, a GTA content creator warns players not to switch their region to Japan or New Zealand. He claims that versions of the game in those regions are censored.
He points to an infographic suggesting the Japanese version contains around 1.4 GB of censored content. It also says the Australian and New Zealand versions have a much smaller 0.7 MB of content disabled. “I want to play the full game,” he explains, admitting there are pros and cons to playing early.
What did dataminers find?
The claims trace back to a dataminer known as TexFunz2. As VGC reported, they examined the PS5 preload and listed the chunks of data the game downloads.
Two chunks stood out. One, labelled “core_restofworld,” is around 1.28 GB. Another, “core_restofworld001,” is only about 704 KB. The dataminer later confirmed that the smaller file is missing from the Australian and New Zealand version.
However, the bigger claim is much shakier. The dataminer only guessed that the larger “rest of world” content might be cut from some regions, possibly Japan. That hasn’t been confirmed by anyone.
Is GTA 6 censorship confirmed in Australia?
No, not yet. The missing Australian and New Zealand file is tiny, less than a megabyte. As a result, it could be something as small as a texture, an image or a single asset. Nobody knows yet what it is or why it’s missing.
There are also reasons for doubt. Earlier reports pointed out that Australia’s classification board rated GTA 6 R18+ without any listed changes. Some players also argue that consumer rules would require any cuts to be made public.
Still, Australia does have history here. GTA: Vice City famously had some content removed for its Australian release. So players are understandably cautious.
Rockstar hasn’t commented on any of the claims.
Why are players switching regions?
It all comes down to time zones. GTA 6 launches on November 19, but New Zealand gets it first. The game unlocks there at 11am UTC on November 18, many hours before players in the UK and US.
So some fans plan to change their console region or create a New Zealand account to play early. However, region-switching can be fiddly, and it may affect things like store purchases and account settings. Players should check their console’s rules before trying it.
Should you worry about GTA 6 censorship?
For most players, probably not too much. If the Australian and New Zealand cut really is only 0.7 MB, it’s unlikely to change the experience in a big way. Meanwhile, the Japanese claim remains a guess.
On the other hand, if you want to be certain you’re getting the full game, it may be worth waiting a few extra hours. GTA has always pushed boundaries, from its controversial beginnings to the online debate around Lucia. So it’s no surprise that fans are watching closely.
When does GTA 6 launch?
GTA 6 launches worldwide on November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Players in New Zealand will get access first, so the truth about any missing content should come out quickly.
Until then, it’s best to treat these GTA 6 censorship claims with caution. Either way, Leonida’s huge map and smarter NPCs will be waiting, whether you play a few hours early or not.