After a 12-year ban, Rockstar’s most iconic game, GTA V, finally goes digital in the Gulf, sparking GTA 6 hype worldwide.
GTA V is a name that has been around for years and is universally loved. When the game was released back in 2013, the UAE and Saudi Arabia didn’t approve GTA V due to some sexualized content. Until recently, we received news that GTA V would be released in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
The world is looking forward to the release of GTA 6 on May 26, 2026. However, July 17 holds significant cultural meaning. Gulf gamers will be able to legally download and play GTA V and GTA Online on PlayStation 5 again after being blocked for 12 years. Both games will be supported by all updates.
When GTA V came out in September 2013, it broke sales records and quickly became one of the best-reviewed and best-selling games of all time. But the game was never allowed to be sold legally in the UAE or Saudi Arabia because of strict rules about media and content, such as drug use, violence, adult themes, and gambling. There were physical copies that were sold on the black market, but an official release was considered highly unlikely.
PlayStation Arabia shocked everyone by confirming that both GTA V and GTA Online will be available digitally on July 17 in two different countries. A well-known official in Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Media Regulation backed up the news. He went on social media to share his excitement and to mention how long they’d been working on this project.
“A project we’ve been developing for years has finally come to fruition,” He told us. “What didn’t seem possible before is now real.” Our wildest dreams came true when we saw that GTA had an official Saudi rating.
This launch is more than just a game going on sale; it’s a sign of how culture is changing in the Gulf. Over the past few years, the entertainment industry has experienced significant growth. Movie theaters, concerts, and now some of the most famous and controversial video games are available in more places.
Fans all over the world are now asking: What does this mean for GTA 6? Could Rockstar be releasing a new trailer on July 17 to commemorate this historic move into the Middle East?
There is a lot of talk about it, especially since Rockstar is known for dropping games quickly and giving vague hints. They thought that a sneak peek at GTA 6 would be the best way to celebrate finally breaking into one of the world’s strictest markets.
Rockstar knows that the Gulf market is huge. Not just to make money, but also to please fans, which has been asked for a long time. Players in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been finding other ways to connect with the team, play, and interact with it for years. And now, Rockstar is finally recognizing them.
For now, GTA 6 is still a secret, and Trailer 3 is still a ways off. Many people think Rockstar will use this time to build up the excitement again. A gameplay trailer, a release schedule, or even a showreel for the developers would be plenty to get people excited.
There is still one big question: will the Gulf version of GTA V (and possibly even GTA 6) be censored or altered to comply with local regulations?
As of now, neither Rockstar nor PlayStation Arabia has confirmed whether any content has been changed or cut. Because the media is closely watched in both areas, it’s possible that some changes were made to fit with cultural norms. The fact that GTA V is even being allowed to be digitally distributed, though, shows that the rules have changed significantly.
If this trend continues, it may soon become easier for major game companies, such as CD Projekt Red, Naughty Dog, and Ubisoft, to release games in the region. This could help drive the global gaming market’s growth.
No matter if you live in the Gulf or not, July 17 is going to be a big day to remember. It will be legal to buy Rockstar’s most famous game for the first time in one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming regions in 2019. That’s not only good business, it’s also fair for fans who had to wait 12 years to be included.
The official release of GTA V shows that more people in the Middle East see video games as a valid part of culture. A significant amount of money is already being invested in the industry, and this move could lead to even stronger partnerships between Gulf investors and studios worldwide, including Rockstar.
Rockstar has finally released GTA V in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, even though GTA 6 won’t be out for another year. This is more than just a regional release. It’s a significant step forward, a sign that globalization is accelerating, and perhaps a hint that something even more substantial is on the horizon.
Is Trailer 3 coming out on July 17?
There’s no way to be sure. That being said, it wouldn’t be a surprise given the timing, the momentum, and Rockstar’s penchant for big surprises. Fans in the Gulf can finally enter the crazy world of Los Santos legally. For the rest of us, it might be a new look at Vice City.
