GTA 5 & Online Launch in Saudi Arabia, UAE Before GTA 6

As anticipation builds for Grand Theft Auto VI, Rockstar Games has now officially launched GTA V and GTA Online in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Despite being released nearly 12 years ago and achieving global sales of 215 million copies, the game had never received official clearance for sale in these two countries—until now.

Age classification concerns and local regulations prohibiting games that feature violence, sexual content, or drug use had long prevented official distribution. Still, as highlighted in a report from Niko Partners, some players bypassed these restrictions by importing physical copies or accessing the game through international PlayStation or Xbox accounts.

Now, gamers in the region can legally purchase GTA V, which has been rated for players aged 21 and above. This updated rating system, an evolution of the localized classification introduced in 2016, has streamlined the game's long-delayed approval—bolstered by strategic support from Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive.

A recent partnership between Take-Two and Saudi-based Advanced Initiative Company designates the latter as the official distributor for all Take-Two titles, including GTA V, WWE 2K, NBA 2K, and Red Dead Redemption.

With a combined population of approximately 44 million, the two nations now represent a viable market for future Rockstar releases, including the eventual launch of GTA VI.

After more than ten years in development and facing recent delays, Grand Theft Auto VI is currently targeting a release date of May 9, 2026, barring any further postponements.