GTA 6 Hits Store Shelves Two Days Early, But You Still Can't Play It

Rockstar Games has moved up the date when Grand Theft Auto 6 starts appearing on store shelves. The code-in-a-box physical edition will now go on sale November 10, two days earlier than the November 12 date the company had previously given. Preloading for the digital and code-in-a-box versions has moved up to the same day.

The change does not affect when anyone can actually start playing. GTA 6 still launches November 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. A shopper who picks up a copy at Target, Best Buy, or GameStop on November 10 will have to wait nine more days before the game unlocks. Rockstar did not explain the shift and did not respond to GameSpot's request for comment.

Rockstar also confirmed that the $100 Ultimate Edition will not be sold in physical stores. Combined with the lack of discs, GameSpot reads that decision as a move aimed at making more money, since premium purchases are steered toward digital storefronts. Because the game launches on different dates in different regions, US players are also expected to be among the last to get in.

Fans hoping to jump into multiplayer should also keep expectations in check. GTA 6 is a single-player game with no multiplayer component at this point, even though a recent poll showed plenty of players excited about GTA Online.