'GTA 5' releases in Saudi Arabia, UAE after decades

Grand Theft Auto V has finally inaugurated and ready to hit digital shelves in Saudi Arabia and UAE after 12 years on July 17, 2025. It’s officially available for purchase in both Arab states.

What is Grand Theft Auto?

Grand Theft Auto referred as GTA is an open world and one of the longest action-crime video game series published by Rockstar Games. The first game series was released in 1997 and after that series had evolved with notable entries comprising GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, GTA IV, and GTA V.

Navigating GTA 5 Gaming Regulation

The prime motive of new release is to meet certain standards and offers best experience of gaming without breaching any rules. Primarily, the launch was made possible by introducing a new 21+ age rating. 

However, this new shift has not been previously observed. The release was particularly announced by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Media Regulation and the UAE Media Council.

According to Niko Partners, a market research and consulting firm in gaming industry in Asia and the Middle East, “This rating was specifically created to allow GTA 5 to release without any edits or censorship, which is a pretty big deal considering how strict content regulations are in the region.”

For that purpose, it was confirmed by PlayStation Arabia’s official X account that GTA 5 and GTA online are available on PlayStation 5 from July 17. 

On the other hand, the post highlighted the specific age rating and invites players to experience the ultimate entertainment in their region.

In this connection, GTA Online’s Casino features have been undermined to comply with Saudia’s anti-gambling regulations.

Nevertheless, the recent release suggests the end of long-term strict rules imposed by the country. 

Furthermore, the new release suggests that audience are not discovering the game for the first time and previously were relying on foreign digital accounts for the access. The recent shift will make it easier to get access without any barriers.

It is expected that Grand Theft Auto 6 could be launched on May 9, 2026.