After 12 Years, Players in This Country Will Be Able to Play for the First Time
Carlos Mendoza 
Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5), one of the most popular video games with over 215 million copies sold, is now available in new territories such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia after a decade-long ban due to controversial content.
- GTA 5 will be officially released in the UAE on July 17, 2025, following a stricter scrutiny of its themes of sex and violence in conservative Middle Eastern countries. Purchase is discouraged for individuals under 21 years old due to the games maximum classification.
- Saudi Arabia had previously banned GTA 5 since July 2018 due to violent content, but it is now permitted for sale following a lifting of the ban on violent games.
- Other games such as God of War 3, Assassins Creed 2, The Witcher 3, and Resident Evil 6 were also previously banned in Saudi Arabia due to their violent content but are now allowed for sale.
Grand Theft Auto V Debuts in New Territories After a Decade
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5), Rockstar Games’ monumental title launched in September 2013, has sold over 215 million copies globally, making it a gaming phenomenon second only to Minecraft’s 350 million sales. More than a decade after its initial release, the game is now officially debuting in certain new territories.
Grand Theft Auto V Lands in United Arab Emirates After Decade-Long Ban
While millions worldwide have enjoyed playing as Michael, Trevor, and Franklin since 2013, players in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were legally unable to access Grand Theft Auto V. The game’s controversial content, particularly its themes of sex and violence, often sparks debate globally and faced stricter scrutiny in the conservative Middle East. Consequently, GTA 5 faced a twelve-year ban in the UAE. However, a shift in government censorship policies over the past few years has led to the official unbanning of the game. Grand Theft Auto V will become available for sale in the UAE on July 17, 2025, following a decade-long prohibition. It will carry the maximum classification in the territory, and its purchase is restricted or heavily discouraged for individuals under 21 years old.
Grand Theft Auto V Allowed in Saudi Arabia after Ban Lift on Violent Games
In related news, Grand Theft Auto V is also making a comeback in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia had banned the game there since July 2018 due to violent content, which was reportedly linked to the deaths of two young children. At that time, 47 other violent video games were also prohibited, including titles such as God of War 3, Assassin’s Creed 2, The Witcher 3, and Resident Evil 6. GTA 5 is now permitted for sale in Saudi Arabia, as reported by Game Rant.
In Case You Missed It
If you’re a fan of the latest gaming trends and want to know which titles are dominating the PlayStation Store charts this month, be sure to check out “Death Stranging 2 and Rematch Lead Sales on PS Store” by Marcus Thompson (July 3, 2025). From the resurgence of Death Strangling 2 in America to Europe’s ongoing football frenzy with games like Rematch and FC 25, there’s a lot to dive into. Plus, get insights on long-standing favorites like Elden Ring: Nightfall and Forza Horizon 5 still holding strong. Click Death Stranding 2 and Rematch Lead Sales on PS Store to explore the full list! For gamers eager to explore how the landscape of video game regulation is shifting in traditionally conservative markets, Jonathan Dubinski’s latest piece offers a fascinating look into the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 5 in Saudi Arabia. After years of restrictions and bans on mature content titles like GTA 5, this development marks a significant step forward for gaming freedom. Published just last week (July 4, 2025), the article delves into how this change could pave the way for more such releases in the future. Curious to learn more about this intriguing shift? Grand Theft Auto 5 to be Released in Saudi Arabia After Seven-Year Ban. If you’re interested in the financial impact of gaming behemoths, don’t miss Jonathan Dubinski’s latest analysis on “GTA 6 Could Shatter Records, Generating $7.6 Billion in First 60 Days,” published on July 16, 2025. Dive into how this upcoming release is predicted to revolutionize the industry and become a record-breaking phenomenon GTA 6 Could Shatter Records, Generating $7.6 Billion in First 60 Days, According to Venture Capital Firm’s Analysis.
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Grand Theft Auto V: Special Edition |
| Brief Summary | The Grand Theft Auto V Special Edition includes: Full retail copy of Grand Theft Auto V; Collectible SteelBook with Exclusive Artwork - features custom color and metallic treatments to bring out the detail of the Michael, Trevor and Franklin artwork created exclusively for this SteelBook; Blueprint Map - exclusive, 21.5” x 26.75” map displays a blueprint view of Los Santos and Blaine County; Special Ability Boost - Michael, Franklin and Trevor each have a unique special ability. With this boost, the special ability bar will generate 25% faster; Stunt Plane Trials – single-player Stunt Plane Trials let players take on additional aerial challenges spread throughout Los Santos and Blaine County; Bonus Outfits, Tattoos and More - Michael, Franklin and Trevor get bonus outfits in their wardrobes, character specific tattoos at tattoo parlors, and special deals from shopkeepers across Los Santos and Blaine County; Additional Weapons - when visiting Ammunation stores in single-player, merchants will have special weapons in their inventory available for free: the Pistol .50, Bullpup Shotgun and melee Hammer.
Grand Theft Auto V is the largest and most ambitious game Rockstar Games has yet created, and takes full advantage of every ounce of processing power available in the current generation of consoles. In order to provide the best possible experience for such a massive and detailed world, the game will have installation requirements on the Xbox 360. Grand Theft Auto V will ship on two discs; Disc 1 will be used for a one-time mandatory install and Disc 2 will be used to play the game. After the install, players will be able to enjoy both Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online without any need to switch discs. This initial install will require an Xbox 360 Hard Drive or an external 16GB USB flash drive (sold separately) with at least 8 GB of free space. If using a USB flash drive it must be at least USB 2.0 with a minimum 15mb/s read speed and formatted for Xbox 360 use. A new USB flash drive is recommended to ensure optimum performance. |
| Platforms | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 |
| Released | September 17, 2013 |
| Genre | Shooter, Racing, Sport |
| Play Modes | Single player |
| Content Rating | M |
| Languages | Japanese |
| Genre | Rockstar Games |
| Genre | Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive |
| Ratings | 99/100 (72 reviews) |
About the Author
Bruno Pferd 
Ahmed Hassan 
