Why did Sony encourage PS4 owners buy PS5 for GTA 6?

Sony pushes PS5 upgrades for GTA 6 through messages

Sony is actively encouraging players still on PS4 to upgrade to PS5 in order to play GTA 6. The included coverage says that emails and console messages have been sent to PS4 owners as part of the push.

What Sony is saying it wants

The practical purpose is straightforward: GTA 6 is positioned as playable on PS5, and Sony is marketing that requirement directly to people who haven’t moved to the current-gen system yet.

The story also points out that the outreach appears connected to the broader GTA 6 marketing build-up—several related posts frame these actions as part of a campaign ramp rather than a one-off reminder.

Why it matters

A targeted upgrade push can have two immediate effects:

• Accelerate console migration, moving lapsed or late adopters to PS5 ahead of a major release.
• Reduce friction in the launch window, since GTA 6 would otherwise face adoption delays from the audience that remains on older hardware.

It’s especially notable because it suggests Sony is using both direct email and on-console messaging rather than relying only on store listings or public marketing.

What’s not specified

The coverage doesn’t provide details about whether GTA 6 supports any PS4 pathway (such as streaming or alternative releases), or what the exact offer terms are for PS5 acquisition.

Bottom line

Sony has begun telling PS4 owners to upgrade to PS5 so they can play GTA 6, using direct outreach (emails and console messages) as part of the larger marketing buildup. For console adoption, it’s a clear signal of where Sony believes its biggest audience should be before launch.