GTA 5 & Online Launch in Saudi Arabia, UAE Ahead of GTA 6

While fans eagerly anticipate Grand Theft Auto 6, Rockstar has now officially launched GTA 5 and GTA Online in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Remarkably, despite being a 12-year-old game with 215 million global sales, the blockbuster title had never received official clearance in these Middle Eastern markets until now.

Censorship concerns regarding violent content, sexual themes, and drug references previously prevented legal distribution – though industry reports reveal resourceful gamers circumvented restrictions through international imports or cross-region digital purchases.

The breakthrough came with the implementation of stricter 21+ age classifications, building upon regional rating systems established in 2016. Parent company Take-Two Interactive also played a key role by securing distribution deals with Saudi Arabia's Advanced Initiative Company.

This partnership grants exclusive local distribution rights for Take-Two's entire catalog, including WWE 2K, NBA 2K, and Red Dead Redemption alongside GTA 5.

With combined populations exceeding 44 million, these newly accessible markets position Gulf nations as important territories for Rockstar's future releases – particularly the eventual launch of GTA 6.

Currently scheduled for May 9, 2026 (barring further delays), GTA 6 represents Rockstar's most ambitious project following its decade-long development cycle.