Grand Theft Auto 5 to be Released in Saudi Arabia After Seven-Year Ban

You might recall hearing that Grand Theft Auto 5, or GTA 5, was supposedly banned in Saudi Arabia back in 2018, along with about 50 other games. The reason often cited was its depiction of violence, drug use, and explicit scenes. However, it turns out those earlier reports claiming the Saudi government outright banned games like GTA 5, Assassin’s Creed 2, and The Witcher in 2018 weren’t entirely accurate. The General Authority for Audiovisual Media in Saudi Arabia clarified that the reports were inaccurate, though they did maintain some restrictions on games featuring sensitive content. Despite this, recent leaked information suggests the game will actually be released in Saudi Arabia this July, albeit with a 21+ age rating. This means players must be at least three years older than the common 18+ age limit found in most other countries. This represents a significant shift, especially considering the game was previously off-limits. For context, in the US, GTA 5 is rated M for Mature, suitable for players 17 and older. Beyond GTA 5’s release, this development could also pave the way for Grand Theft Auto 6 to launch in Saudi Arabia, likely with an adults-only rating. This strongly indicates the local market’s increasing openness to mature-rated games.

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