With its next franchise release less than a year away, Rockstar Games has finally been allowed to release Grand Theft Auto 5 in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. While such a late game launch might seem strange, the reality is that some countries have very strict laws and regulations that keep developers and publishers from releasing titles with potentially objectionable material. Although issues with the age rating and depictions of sex, violence, and drug use previously prevented the release of Grand Theft Auto 5 in these countries, it appears those concerns have been addressed.
Despite the fact that Grand Theft Auto 5 has been released multiple times in several markets around the world, spread across at least 3 console generations of gaming, it remains one of the most popular games of the franchise. Following the recent release of the enhanced edition of the game in March 2025, Grand Theft Auto 5 reached the noteworthy milestone of being on the list of top 10 most played games twice at the same time, with both the legacy version of the title and its new re-release netting over 100,000 concurrent players individually.
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Grand Theft Auto has been one of the most talked about franchises as of late, and there’s no better time to jump back into GTA 5.
As of July 18, 2025, Rockstar Games has finally been granted the right to release Grand Theft Auto 5 in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Both countries recently established a new 21+ age rating for games like this, making it legal to purchase titles that were previously banned. While discussing the recent approvals, Niko Partners explained that previous bans were ineffective, as gamers would often purchase copies of Grand Theft Auto 5 under the counter and sign up with foreign accounts to avoid detection. This recent policy change is predicted to have a massive impact on the gaming industry in both countries, and it also decreases the likelihood of any delay in the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 in either country.
New Law in Saudi Arabia and UAE Allows Release of Grand Theft Auto 5
Whether Rockstar Games sees an increase in profits, this news is ultimately a win for gamers in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Fans who would have otherwise sought different methods to play popular titles like Grand Theft Auto 5 can now simply make a legal purchase. The new 21+ age rating is the latest in a long line of decisions both countries have made to invest in the future of gaming, including very profitable investments in Nintendo less than a year ago.
As of May 2025, Grand Theft Auto 5 has sold 215 million copies worldwide. According to research from Niko Partners, the total number of gamers in this region is projected to reach 84.3 million by 2029, so it’s entirely possible that this legendary game could reach a quarter of a billion sales following its release in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Perhaps that’s just wishful thinking, but the math does seem to add up.
Grand Theft Auto 5
9/10
- Released
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September 17, 2013
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
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Rockstar North
- Engine
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Rockstar Advanced Game Engine
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