GTA 5 Finally Legal in Saudi Arabia After 12-Year Ban
▼ Summary
– Grand Theft Auto 5 is now legally available in Saudi Arabia and the UAE after receiving a surprise 21+ rating in June 2025.
– Before official approval, players could import the game or use foreign digital storefronts, but sales are expected to rise due to easier access.
– The 21+ rating signals a shift in attitude, allowing unmodified versions of previously restricted games like GTA 5 to be sold.
– Saudi Arabia has heavily invested in gaming and esports, including acquisitions of major companies and hosting international events like the Olympic Esports Games.
– Critics accuse Saudi Arabia of “esportswashing,” using gaming to divert attention from its human rights record, as seen in backlash against events like the Esports World Cup.
After more than a decade of restrictions, Grand Theft Auto V has officially received approval for sale in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The controversial open-world game, which originally launched in 2013, was unexpectedly granted a 21+ age rating last month by regional media regulators, clearing the way for its legal distribution.
While GTA 5 was never completely unavailable in these markets, players previously had to rely on workarounds like importing physical copies or accessing international digital storefronts. The new classification eliminates those hurdles, allowing Rockstar’s blockbuster title to be marketed and sold openly for the first time.
The decision marks a notable shift in Saudi Arabia’s approach to gaming content. Unlike previous cases where major titles like The Witcher 3 faced censorship or Final Fantasy XVI was banned outright, GTA 5 will be available without modifications, a significant departure from past policies. The newly introduced 21+ rating suggests authorities may be adopting a more flexible stance toward mature gaming content.
This development aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader push into the gaming industry under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative. The kingdom has aggressively invested in gaming through its Savvy Games Group, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, which has funneled billions into companies like Embracer, Scopely, and Niantic. The PIF also holds stakes in Electronic Arts, while the Misk Foundation acquired a controlling share of SNK.
Esports has become another focal point, with Saudi Arabia hosting major events like the Esports World Cup and securing rights to the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2027. However, these moves have drawn criticism from human rights advocates who accuse the kingdom of “esportswashing”, using gaming’s global appeal to divert attention from its controversial policies. Recent backlash led GeoGuessr to withdraw from an upcoming tournament, highlighting ongoing tensions.
Despite its belated approval, GTA 5 hardly needs a sales boost. Rockstar recently announced the game has sold over 215 million copies worldwide, with the franchise surpassing 450 million total sales. While its newfound legality may spur additional purchases in the region, the title’s enduring popularity proves it long transcended regional restrictions.
Correction: An earlier version misattributed investments in SNK and Electronic Arts to Savvy Games Group. SNK ownership belongs to Misk, while the PIF directly acquired shares in EA.
(Source: pcgamer)
