GTA V Launches in Saudi Arabia, UAE After 12-Year Delay
The release of GTA V in Saudi Arabia and the UAE is a significant development for the gaming industry in the region, with potential implications for the release of future games and the growth of the industry as a whole, as Saudi Arabia continues to invest in digital entertainment and esports.
Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online have finally been released in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, marking a significant shift in the region's acceptance of mature gaming content, with the game available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC with a 21+ age rating.
The game's release is the result of a new distribution deal with Saudi firm Advanced Initiative Company, which will handle all Take-Two titles in the region. The game remains largely unaltered, with all depictions of violence, firearms, mature language, and themes intact, but the Diamond Casino & Resort in GTA Online is disabled in both countries due to religious and legal restrictions.
The approval of GTA V sets the stage for GTA VI to potentially launch in sync with its global release in 2026, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 to invest in digital entertainment and esports. This move is seen as a significant shift in attitude towards videogames in Saudi Arabia, which has invested heavily in the industry and has been growing rapidly in recent years.
The game's release in Saudi Arabia is also seen as a major milestone for the country's gaming industry, with Grand Theft Auto 5 now officially legal to purchase and own in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, 12 years after its original release, marking a new era for gamers in the region.