A flashlight held against the side of a sealed Grand Theft Auto VI box reveals the full download code inside, opening the door to stolen or already-redeemed copies days before the game's release.
The code is printed directly on the box's inner cover instead of on a paper insert or scratch-off panel, so a strong light at the right angle exposes every character. Photos of the trick surfaced today, and the exposure appears limited to international copies, since the US box carries a backing that hides the code from view.
Anyone with a code, a console and an internet connection can redeem the game, meaning a buyer could open a brand-new box to find its license already spent. The flaw also spotlights what Rockstar sells as a physical edition: a digital license in cardboard, one that can't be resold or handed to a friend.