GTA 5 Release Announced in Saudi Arabia and UAE After More Than a Decade

It has been more than a decade since Rockstar Games' GTA 5 was first released. One of the most popular games in the franchise, GTA 5, exceeded all expectations and became a household name around the gaming world. But, despite being available throughout the world, Saudi Arabia has missed out on the game due to their strict gaming policies regarding mature video games.

However, a recent announcement from PlayStation has confirmed that Saudi Arabia and the UAE will finally be introduced to the world of GTA 5. This news has not only built excitement among Arab gaming fans but also ignited a hope to receive the GTA 6 much sooner than its previous edition.

GTA 5 Release Announced in Saudi Arabia and UAE

In a recent update posted by the official account of PlayStation Arabia, the video gaming brand announced the arrival of GTA 5 to the Middle East. The X post translates to, “Experience the ultimate entertainment with Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online, rated +21 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.”. The wordings confirm the new release with a decisive date of July 17, 2025.

Major Changes for the Middle Eastern Countries

The reason for the delayed release of GTA 5 was simple. The game didn't match the policies drawn by the Middle East countries regarding video games. Their law strictly prohibits the use of mature themes such as nudity, gun violence, and other components that make GTA 5 authentic.

Rockstar refused to cut down the parts that made the game essentially interesting. This decision saw a lot of traffic on unofficial websites, with players downloading the game illegally or playing online using VPNs, thus rendering the law-abiding system useless. So, what changed?

The General Authority of Media Regulation in Saudi Arabia and the UAE Media Council made a final decision on the game to be declared as 21+ in maturity. Therefore, it finally made it possible to release a version that will not be watered down and will serve its authenticity. The age limit has been put on to restrict teenagers' access to the aspects of GTA 5 that the government sees as mature content, but acceptable for 21-year-olds or older.

GTA 5 Release Reaction in Saudi Arabia and UAE

The gaming community has mixed reactions regarding the game, with several questions to be answered. Some of the fans are puzzled about whether the release of the game will be in Arabic, and others question its age limit of 21. One user commented, “This is the beginning, Grand 6 is on the way”, while several others reacted with emojis in support of the new release. Even with the announcement, it is unclear to several users the accessibility of the game. This leaves fans in a state of confusion and demanding answers.