As of today, Grand Theft Auto 5 is finally available in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Rockstar's crime simulator franchise is no stranger to controversy, so it isn't necessarily surprising that the two Middle Eastern nations had banned it in the first place. However, more than a decade after its release, things have turned around for Grand Theft Auto 5, and the shift might instill hope for future installments.
The Middle East may not have a reputation for being a video game hub, but the region has shown an openness to the gaming industry lately. In 2024, the International Olympic Committee announced that Saudi Arabia would host the first Olympic eSports Games, originally set to take place in 2025 but now delayed until 2027. Now, Saudi Arabia and its neighbor, the UAE, have gone further by lifting their respective bans on one of the best-selling games in history.
While many fans are disappointed by Grand Theft Auto 6's delay, a new rumor suggests a GTA game may still release in Fall 2025 after all.
On July 3, Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Media Regulation tweeted that GTA 5 and GTA Online would become available in the...
