OpenAI turns its sold-out GPT-5.5 party into a monthlong Codex giveaway for 8,000 developers

OpenAI on Monday began emailing more than 8,000 developers who applied for its invite-only GPT-5.5 party with a surprise consolation prize: a tenfold increase in Codex rate limits on their personal ChatGPT accounts, effective immediately and lasting through June 5.

"We had over 8,000 people express interest in just 24 hours, and while we wish our office was big enough to welcome everyone, we weren't able to make space for every person who applied," the company wrote in the email, which VentureBeat obtained. "As a small token of appreciation, we've 10x'ed your Codex rate limits until June 5th on your personal ChatGPT account."

The gift is not limited to the lucky few who scored invitations to the party itself. Everyone who raised their hand — whether they were accepted, waitlisted, or turned away — received the rate limit boost, according to the email and confirmed by ...