GTA 5, Online Hit Saudi Arabia, UAE Ahead of GTA 6

Rockstar Games has officially launched Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, marking a milestone for Middle Eastern gamers who've waited nearly 12 years for legal access to the record-breaking title.

Historic Release After 12-Year Wait

Despite achieving global sales exceeding 215 million copies since its 2013 debut, regulatory hurdles had previously blocked the game's official distribution in these Gulf nations due to concerns about mature content including violence, drug use, and sexual themes.

How Players Accessed GTA V Before

Market research firm Niko Partners revealed that dedicated fans previously circumvented restrictions through imported physical copies or regional workarounds on PlayStation and Xbox platforms. The new 21+ age classification - building upon localized rating systems established in 2016 - finally created a regulatory pathway for the game's release.

Strategic Partnerships Paved the Way

Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company, established a crucial distribution partnership with Saudi Arabia's Advanced Initiative Company. This deal makes AIC the authorized distributor for all Take-Two titles in the region, including the NBA 2K and WWE 2K franchises alongside Red Dead Redemption.

Setting the Stage for GTA VI

This breakthrough creates a legal distribution channel for 44 million potential players across both nations, strategically positioning Rockstar to include these markets in their 2026 launch plans for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI. The forthcoming title's May 2026 release date remains provisional, subject to potential development timeline adjustments.