GTA 6 Release: Saudi Arabia & UAE Get GTA 5 & Online Now
GTA 5 Finally Arrives in Saudi Arabia and UAE After a Decade-Long Wait
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Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online are now officially available in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, marking a significant milestone for fans in the region after a nearly 12-year delay.
Despite its global success and massive sales figures – exceeding 215 million copies worldwide – Rockstar’s 2013 blockbuster had remained unavailable for legal purchase in these two Middle Eastern countries until this week.
The absence of GTA 5 in Saudi Arabia and the UAE was primarily attributed to the game’s mature content, including violence, sex, and drug use, which clashed with local regulations and age rating systems. For years, fans had to resort to importing physical copies or accessing the game through accounts linked to other regions to play it legally.
Though, a recent shift in the regulatory landscape, including the introduction of localized age ratings in 2016 and the establishment of a new 21+ age rating for GTA 5, has paved the way for its official release.
A New Distribution Partnership
A key factor in smoothing GTA 5’s belated entry into these markets is a newly formed partnership between Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, and a Saudi firm, the Advanced Initiative Company. this collaboration designates the Saudi company as the official local distributor for all Take-Two titles, including popular franchises like GTA, WWE 2K, NBA 2K, and Red dead Redemption.
This strategic alliance is expected to streamline the release and distribution of future Take-Two games in the region, perhaps including the highly anticipated GTA 6.
Looking Ahead: GTA 6 and the MENA Market
With a combined population of approximately 44 million, Saudi Arabia and the UAE represent a significant new market for Rockstar. The successful launch of GTA 5 is a promising indicator for the future release of GTA 6, which is currently slated for May 9, 2026. Fans in the region can now look forward to experiencing Rockstar’s latest offerings legally and without regional restrictions.**
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. you can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social.*