Region Locking
Ongoing coverage on Region Locking.
Latest coverage
WARDOGS To Region Lock Players Due to Online Issues
Developer Bulkhead has begun implementing region restrictions in WARDOGS, lowering the maximum server ping to 175ms and developing a more comprehensive region-locking system to combat online issues. This move follows player complaints about high-ping users, cheating, and disruptive behavior, though the solution has divided the community.
'Regions Are Cheating and We Need to Address It' — Wardogs Dev Says Region Locking Is About 'Protecting the Largest Amount of Players'
Bulkhead has implemented region locking in Wardogs, stating the measure is to protect players from regions with higher rates of cheating. This decision has drawn criticism from legitimate players in Asia and from those unable to play with friends in other regions.
WARDOGS Starts Region-Locking to Curtail Cheaters, Studio Boss Says It’s Not a Permanent Solution
Bulkhead Studios has implemented region-locking in WARDOGS as a temporary measure to combat cheaters, limiting players to servers with a ping below 175. This controversial decision has led to player complaints about not being able to connect with friends globally, with studio CEO Joe Brammer acknowledging the negative impact on a portion of the player base while prioritizing the majority.
Sleek New PS5 Console Revealed, But Players Aren’t Happy
Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced a new PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Midnight Black console, set to launch in Japan on November 19, 2026. Despite the sleek new design, players are expressing disappointment due to the console being region-locked and language-locked to Japanese, preventing its use outside of Japan or with non-Japanese accounts.
Sony announces new Midnight Black PS5 for GTA 6 launch but there's a problem
Sony Interactive Entertainment is releasing a new Midnight Black PlayStation 5 Digital Edition console exclusively in Japan on November 19, 2026, coinciding with the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6. This region-locked console will be significantly cheaper than current models available elsewhere. Sony also reiterated its plan to cease production of physical game discs after 2027.
Sony announces cheaper Midnight Black PS5 to launch alongside GTA 6, it's just a shame we won't be able to buy…
Sony has announced a new Midnight Black PlayStation 5 digital edition, but it will be region-locked to Japan and require a Japanese system language and account. Launching on November 19 alongside Grand Theft Auto 6, the console costs 55,000 yen. While console covers are available separately, obtaining the full console outside of Japan would involve significant effort and limitations.
Grand Theft Auto 6 worldwide unlock times revealed, and Xbox owners can seemingly still use the old New Zealand trick to play early
Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch on November 19th with staggered regional unlock times for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. While PlayStation users are bound by their account region, Xbox users can change their system region to New Zealand to play the game earlier, a method previously used for Call of Duty titles.
Why GTA 6’s PS5 Game Codes Could Cause Major Problems for Some Players
Grand Theft Auto 6's physical release on PlayStation 5 could face significant issues due to Sony's region-locking policy for digital download codes. This policy requires codes to match the region of the player's account, potentially preventing players from accessing the game if they purchase a copy from an international retailer or receive it as a gift. Rockstar Games has advised players to purchase physical editions from retailers in the same country as their account, highlighting a potential friction point for a highly anticipated title.
GTA 6’s PS5 Version Carries a Restriction Xbox Players Never Face
Grand Theft Auto 6's digital download codes for PlayStation 5 are region-locked, meaning they can only be redeemed in the country where the PlayStation account is registered. In contrast, Xbox Series X/S versions do not have this restriction. This difference impacts players who prefer physical editions, as the game will only be available digitally, and could affect retail sales due to customer preference for non-restricted codes.
Rockstar clarifying the region locking of codes for GTA 6
Rockstar has clarified the region-locking policies for Grand Theft Auto 6 codes. While Xbox codes are not region-locked, PlayStation codes are restricted to specific regions and require a matching PlayStation account. The game will launch on November 19, 2026, with Standard and Ultimate Editions available.
GTA 6 Is Region-Locked on PlayStation 5, Not Xbox
Rockstar Games has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI download codes will be region-locked on PlayStation 5, but not on Xbox Series X|S. PlayStation users are advised against purchasing codes from regions that do not match their account settings to avoid activation issues. Specific regional breakdowns for code compatibility have been provided.
Rockstar clarifies which GTA 6 pre-order download codes are going to be region-locked, and how that is going to affect the game in your country
Rockstar Games has clarified region-locking policies for Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-order download codes. While PlayStation 5 codes may be restricted based on region, Xbox codes are not region-locked. Codes purchased in Japan also have a 170-day expiration date due to local regulations.
Grand Theft Auto 6’s PS5 “Physical” Release Will be Region-Locked
Rockstar Games has confirmed that the physical PlayStation 5 release of Grand Theft Auto 6 will be region-locked, preventing codes purchased in one region from being used in another. This restriction does not apply to the Xbox Series X/S version. Despite these controversial decisions, the game has seen record pre-orders and is projected to generate billions in its first week.
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is suffering similar PSN region locking woes to Helldivers 2, with 132 countries barred according to Steam's backend
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is reportedly facing similar region-locking issues to Helldivers 2, with its Steam backend indicating it cannot be activated or purchased in 132 countries. This has led to speculation that Sony is reintroducing mandatory PSN account linking for PC games, which was previously a point of contention for Helldivers 2 players.
Another self-own for Sony: Marvel Tōkon's PC version is unavailable in over 100 countries thanks to our old friend…
Sony's upcoming fighting game, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, has been region-restricted on Steam in 132 countries that lack PlayStation Network access. This follows similar controversial decisions with other PC ports like God of War Ragnarök and Ghost of Tsushima. The game is set to have an open beta on PC and PlayStation 5 from July 24 to July 26.
Online retailers are stating that PS5 GTA 6 codes can only be played in the country they're bought
Online retailers in the UK and Ireland are displaying warnings that PlayStation 5 codes for Grand Theft Auto 6 can only be redeemed in the country where they were purchased, citing account registration requirements. This contradicts standard EU law which prohibits geo-blocking across European Economic Area borders for digital products, though some European retailers have different disclaimers. Similar warnings were initially present for Xbox Series X/S but have since been removed as those codes are typically region-free.
Can a VPN let you play region-locked games?
This article explores the possibility of using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass region-locked games, particularly on PC. While feasible on PC using services like SurfShark or NordVPN, console access is more complex, often requiring a VPN-enabled router and region-specific payment methods. The article warns of potential risks, including account bans from digital storefronts.
