Regional GTA 6 file-size gaps spark censorship concerns in Japan and Australia

Players who started preloading Grand Theft Auto VI on November 10 noticed that the download size is not uniform worldwide. Japanese outlet Game*Spark first reported that the PlayStation 5 version weighs 208.725GB in Japan versus 209.913GB elsewhere, while the Xbox build drops from 209.86GB to 208.74GB.

Australian and New Zealand copies are also smaller, by around 700KB. Dataminer Tex2 confirmed that the Australia and New Zealand build lacks a chunk labeled “core_restofworld001,” and suggested a larger “core_restofworld” package contains material removed from specific regions, with Japan the most likely target.

Speculation intensified after Automaton noted that Japan’s CERO Z age rating came without a sexual content warning, even though US and European ratings flagged strong sexual content. Some fans theorized that everyone downloads a censored base version and regional packs restore the cut material everywhere except Australia and New Zealand.

In discussions online, players recalled that Grand Theft Auto V launched in Japan with a torture scene removed, and cited Resident Evil releases that blacked out dismembered limbs to satisfy CERO. Others turned their attention to Australia, where the game carries an R18+ rating with sex scenes listed but the country takes a firm stance on simulated gambling.

One reply under Tex2’s post insisted the Australian version will have gambling removed. The theory carries weight because GTA Online’s casino games were disabled for Australian players in July after years of availability. The files remain encrypted until the November 19 launch, and Take-Two has not explained the regional differences.