Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online were officially released in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, nearly 12 years after their global debut in 2013, marking a significant shift in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s gaming landscape. According to Niko Partners, this approval by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Media Regulation and the UAE Media Council, accompanied by a new 21+ age rating, represents a “turning point for MENA game regulations.” Previously, games with mature content, such as GTA V’s depictions of violence, drug use, and explicit themes, were often blocked due to stringent censorship laws that aligned with restrictions equivalent to ESRB’s Mature 17+ or PEGI 18+ ratings. The introduction of the 21+ rating allows GTA V to launch without major content modifications, a notable departure from past practices where such games were either heavily edited or banned outright.
Cultural and religious sensitivities remain a critical consideration, as Niko Partners’ 2025 gamer survey indicates that 57% of MENA-3 gamers would stop playing a game if it contained content deemed religiously or culturally offensive. Despite GTA V’s approval without major edits, features like casino and gambling elements in GTA Online have been disabled to comply with local laws, reflecting a balance between regulatory liberalization and cultural respect. The move underscores the MENA region’s increasing openness to gaming as a mainstream entertainment medium, supported by government initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and events such as Dubai’s Future Games Show, positioning the region as a burgeoning hub for the global gaming industry.
Source : @PlayStation_ME , Niko Partners