Latest news with #PlayStationArabia
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
GTA V finally launches in Saudi Arabia and UAE after 12 years since release: Is the game censored?
GTA V's release was made possible by a newly introduced 21+ age rating, higher than the global standard 18+ used elsewhere TL;DR GTA V and GTA Online officially launched in Saudi Arabia and UAE on July 17, 2025, after a 12-year delay. The game is uncensored and available on PlayStation, Xbox , and PC, with a newly approved 21+ age rating. Casino and gambling features remain disabled due to religious and legal restrictions. A new distribution deal with Saudi firm Advanced Initiative Company will handle all Take-Two titles in the region. This release clears the path for a timely GTA VI launch in the Gulf on May 26, 2026, pending approvals. A Long-Awaited Release: GTA V Officially Available in the Gulf After nearly 12 years since its global debut in 2013, Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) and GTA Online have finally launched in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 17, 2025. The launch comes with a newly implemented 21+ age rating, a regulatory milestone that has enabled the full, uncensored version of the game to be released in the Gulf. The official release spans PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC, both in digital and physical formats. Despite its controversial content, GTA V now enjoys legal status in both countries after years of being available only through imported discs or foreign digital accounts. The official announcement was made via PlayStation Arabia's X (formerly Twitter) account, which invited players to 'experience the ultimate entertainment,' marking a historic moment for Gulf-based fans who have waited more than a decade for a legal release. Why the 12-Year Delay? Stringent Regulations and Local Laws Though never officially 'banned,' GTA V was effectively blocked in Saudi Arabia and the UAE due to strict media regulations around mature content. The main barriers to release included: Mature Themes: The game's portrayal of violence, crime, drug use, and sexual content clashed with conservative content standards. Casino and Gambling Features: Gambling-related content in GTA Online, specifically its virtual casino has been explicitly prohibited in both countries due to religious and legal prohibitions on gambling Rigorous Approval Process: Local regulators, including Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Media Regulation (GAMR) and the UAE Media Council , conduct detailed content reviews that have historically delayed titles with adult content. Even titles like the GTA Trilogy and Red Dead Redemption 2 only gained approval years after their international releases, underlining the slow, case-by-case scrutiny applied to mature games. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo A New 21+ Age Rating and Strategic Partnerships The turning point in GTA V's approval came with the introduction of a new 21+ age rating, a global first that is higher than the standard 18+ rating found in most other countries. This classification permits the release of unedited adult content without requiring changes to game mechanics or narratives. Although localized age ratings were first introduced in 2016, they were insufficient to clear GTA V under the previous standards. The upgraded classification was formally approved by Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Media Regulation (GAMR) and the UAE Media Council following direct consultations with Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive. This release is also tied to a new distribution agreement between Take-Two and Advanced Initiative Company, a Saudi firm that will now serve as the official distributor for all Take-Two titles in the region, including GTA, NBA 2K, WWE 2K, and Red Dead Redemption. The deal not only enabled the long-awaited launch of GTA V but also paves the way for future releases to arrive in the Gulf without the delays that have historically plagued mature-rated titles. Is the Game Modified or Censored? No, the game remains largely unaltered. Thanks to the newly introduced 21+ age rating, GTA V has been approved in its full form, including all depictions of violence, firearms, mature language and themes, without any cuts or content modifications. This higher classification was specifically created to allow adult-themed games to pass regulatory scrutiny without being edited, and GTA V is one of the first major titles to benefit from this shift. However, one major exception remains: gambling-related content. Since 2019, all casino features in GTA Online have been explicitly prohibited in Saudi Arabia and the UAE due to religious and legal restrictions on gambling. As a result, the Diamond Casino & Resort, a virtual location within the game where players can engage in betting activities, remains disabled in both countries. Players attempting to access the casino will encounter an in-game message stating that the feature is unavailable in their region. This is consistent with broader policy in the Gulf, where other global games with gambling mechanics, such as card packs, loot boxes, or virtual betting, are also often restricted or adjusted for compliance. While the 21+ rating provides greater flexibility for adult content, it does not override strict anti-gambling laws, which continue to be enforced without exception. What This Means for GTA VI and the Future of Gaming in the Gulf The approval of GTA V marks a significant cultural shift in how Saudi Arabia and the UAE approach adult-oriented games, setting the stage for GTA VI to potentially launch in sync with its global release on May 26, 2026. This milestone aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which emphasizes investment in digital entertainment and esports as part of broader economic diversification. While the core content of GTA V remains uncensored thanks to the new 21+ age rating, future titles like GTA VI may still face localized restrictions on specific missions or features. However, with studies showing that over 90% of gamers in the MENA region are above the age of 21, the market is clearly ready for mature-rated titles at scale. FAQs: Q. When did GTA V officially release in Saudi Arabia and UAE? On July 17, 2025, for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Q. Is the game censored in any way? No, except for casino content, all features remain intact and uncensored. Q. Why is the casino feature disabled in GTA Online? Because gambling is prohibited under the laws and religious norms of both countries. Q. What age rating does the game carry in the Gulf? A special 21+ age rating, higher than the typical 18+ used elsewhere. Q. Will GTA VI launch in the region on time? Most likely, as this release sets a precedent for smoother, timely approvals.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
GTA 5 launches in Saudi Arabia and UAE after 12 years with strict 21+ age rating but players have mixed reactions
It's finally official. After being banned for over a decade, GTA 5 is now available for purchase in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Players have been accessing the game through unofficial means all these years, but July 17 marked its first-ever native release in the region. However, this launch comes with a unique condition: you must be at least 21 to play it. It's a rating never seen before anywhere else in the world for GTA 5, but authorities in Saudi Arabia and UAE seem to think the game's mature content deserves stricter control. عِش تجربة الترفيه الهائلة مع Grand Theft Auto V وGrand Theft Auto Online المصنفة +21 في المملكة العربية السعودية ودولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة.متوفرة الآن على PlayStation 5. What is the age restriction for GTA 5 in Saudi Arabia and the UAE? The region's ratings boards have given GTA 5 a 21+ rating, which is exclusive to these countries. This restriction reflects the game's controversial content, which includes violence, explicit scenes, and crime themes that have been sensitive topics in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. PlayStation Arabia announced the game's availability on X, confirming it's out on PS5 from July 17 with the +21 age certificate. What are players saying about GTA 5's release in Saudi Arabia? While some players in Saudi Arabia and UAE are happy to finally play GTA 5 legally, others aren't too impressed. A few pointed out that the age rating doesn't change the game's content, asking whether the rating makes it 'halal' now. Another major complaint is the lack of Arabic translation. Players have questioned the point of officially launching the game if many local gamers won't even understand the language. GTA 5 is now legal but still divisive Despite the excitement, the launch hasn't satisfied everyone. Some believe the release should have come with cultural adjustments, while others are just glad it's finally available. Either way, GTA 5 is now officially on shelves in Saudi Arabia and UAE but only for those 21 and above.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
GTA V gets official launch date in Saudi Arabia, to debut on Sony PlayStation 5 from…
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V), a popular open-world video game, is finally making its debut in Saudi Arabia. The game was long unavailable in the country due to its mature content. However, it is not scheduled to make its official launch in Saudi Arabia on July 17, 2025. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The official handle of PlayStation Arabia shared the update through a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). A translated version of the post reads: 'Experience the ultimate entertainment with Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online, rated +21 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Available on July 17 on PlayStation 5.' The announcement marks a major shift in the country's stance toward global video game content. The game has been given a 21+ age rating, the highest possible under Saudi guidelines. Will GTA V be edited It is not yet clear whether any parts of the game will be censored for the region. However, some reports state that it is likely that the Casino feature in GTA Online will be removed, as gambling content often faces restrictions in local markets. What it means for GTA VI With GTA V finally approved, gamers are now hopeful about the future release of Grand Theft Auto VI in the region. It remains to be seen whether GTA VI will launch in Saudi Arabia at the same time as other markets, but the chances look better than ever. Rockstar Games , the creator of GTA series, has officially confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) will release on May 26, 2026. The initial expectation had targeted a release in late 2025, but Rockstar has now pushed the launch into the following year, citing quality standards and development needs as the primary reasons. 7 Things You May Have Missed in the GTA 6 Second Trailer
