Both GTA V and GTA Online have released in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates after nearly 12 years on the original release date. Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive finally received approval for release in the region earlier this month. The wait is finally over and gamers in the Middle East can now enjoy Rockstar’s iconic game on their chosen platform.
It is available to purchase on Xbox, PlayStation and PC. This includes both physical and digital copies. So whether you want to pick up the game on Steam or a disc in-store for consoles, you are able to do so. The game costs equivalent of $39.99 for the current gen version and $29.99 for the last gen version. Shark Card microtransactions and GTA+ are also available for purchase.
High Age Rating Stops Censorship
The approval taking so long largely stems from the content found in the game. Entertainment such as video games undergo more scrutiny in some regions compared to others and that is the case here. The game’s age rating 21+ which is higher than the 18+ found in almost every other country.
The higher age rating allows games to not have to be altered. So despite all of the violence and such in GTA V, it is not censored in the region thanks to the new, higher age rating. Features that involve gambling such as the Casino activities in GTA Online have been banned since 2019.
This delay has not stopped GTA being popular in places such as the Middle East. Copies have been imported for many years or accounts were setup for different regions like the USA and used inside the Middle East.
Local Distributor Confirmed For GTA 6 Release?
Rockstar and Take-Two have worked on a partnership with a company in the region to distribute GTA V recently. Saudi-based Advanced Initiative Company now get rights to distribute Take-Two Interactive published titles as reported by Niko Partners. This includes upcoming titles and back catalog. Gamers in the Middle East now turn their attention to GTA 6 and the possibility of a day one release there.
This comes over 2 years after the GTA Trilogy got approval to release in the country a while after its initial launch. Games have to go through stricter approval processes held by local regulators which means many games, such as those with the content that GTA V has, are yet to see a release.
Rockstar Gifts Community
To celebrate the game’s launch in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Rockstar sent gifts out to various community members and creators. YouTube channel Tbreak Media shared a gift bag full of merch Rockstar sent them for the release.
Will you be purchasing the game in the UAE or Saudi Arabia? Let us know down in the comments section below.
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