Rockstar Breaks 12-Year Ban with Surprise GTA 5 Launch in Gulf Nations
In a strategic move ahead of Grand Theft Auto VI, Rockstar Games and Saudi Arabia’s Advanced Initiative Company have secured approval to release GTA 5 and GTA Online in Saudi Arabia and UAE for the first time since their 2013 ban. The games launch July 17, 2025, with a strict “21+” age rating through the newly formed General Authority for Media Regulation – ending years of players relying on imported physical copies.
Why This Matters Now
Industry analysts see this as groundwork for GTA VI’s record-breaking launch:
- Revenue Realization: Authorities recognized massive lost sales ($100M+ estimated) from players using VPNs and imported discs
- Infrastructure Test: Establishes age-verification systems needed for GTA VI’s 2026 debut
- Market Expansion: Opens 50M+ player market previously blocked by content restrictions
As Niko Partners’ report notes: “The timing suggests Saudi regulators want to capture GTA VI revenue rather than fight inevitable demand.”
The Long Road to Approval
Since 2013, Saudi and UAE players:
- Used international PSN accounts to bypass bans
- Purchased physical copies from neighboring countries
- Risked console bans for accessing GTA Online
The new 21+ rating system creates a legal pathway for mature content previously deemed “morally objectionable.”
Also, Read
- GTA 6 Leaked Gameplay Sends Fans Racing to Buy PS5 Consoles
- GTA 6 Predicted to Shatter Records with $7.6 Billion Debut
- GTA 6 “Pre-Pre-Load” Divides Fans – Should You Download the 328MB Placeholder?
GTA 6 Connection
The unbanning reveals strategic preparation:
- Testing distribution/logistics for Rockstar’s biggest launch
- Establishing precedent for GTA VI’s likely Adults Only rating
- Building retailer relationships for 2026 physical sales
As IGN‘s Tom Phillips observes: “They saw the tsunami of GTA VI hype coming and built the dam.”