GTA 6 Ban Locks Over One Billion People Out Of Playing 2026's Biggest Game
Topics: GTA 6, GTA, GTA Online, Rockstar Games
Featured Image Credit: Rockstar Games
Topics: GTA 6, GTA, GTA Online, Rockstar Games
The next Grand Theft Auto is barrelling toward us like a freight train, and with it, the gaming industry is bracing for what could be the biggest release of all time. After GTA V soared to become the most profitable entertainment product of all time, there are similarly high hopes that GTA VI can exceed expectations.
As we head toward GTA VI's November 19 release, pre-orders are now live, and fans are splashing the cash to make sure they can play on day one. Some companies are even closing because they know their workforce will be pulling a sickie just to get back into Vice City before their mates.
It's somewhat ironic that while experts predict the next instalment of the automotive adventure could earn $1 billion in pre-orders alone, while it's also reportedly banned Grand Theft Auto for one billion wannabe gamers.
Launching on November 19, the £69.99/$79.99 Standard Edition includes "One Month of GTA+," but not for everyone. According to PlayStation, GTA VI has been banned in several countries. Specifically, the package and its one month of GTA+ are unable to be pre-ordered in Bahrain, China, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the Russian Federation, and Taiwan.
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Currently excluding one billion customers, this list is expected to grow, especially with countries known to block games with extreme violence, depiction of sex, and LGBTQ+ themes. We previously saw numerous countries block Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness due to the depiction of a lesbian couple, so we don't think GTA IV's "The Ballad of Gay Tony" DLC would fly.
In the United Kingdom, GTA VI has been awarded an 18 rating from the Video Standards Council (VSC), using the PEGI (Pan European Game Information) system. This means it can't legally be sold to anyone under the age of 18. It's yet to be officially rated in the USA, although PlayStation seemed to spoil it's be rated M (Mature 17+) by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. This tracks with GTA V's rating.
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Things get a little more complicated, with GTA BOOM saying that the full game hasn't technically been totally banned in the Persian Gulf...yet. The outlet notes that PlayStation is specifically referring to the package that includes a month of GTA+, presumably being banned due to its online content. GTA BOOM states that while GTA VI is banned in Kuwait and Oman, the main game is available in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Lebanon, Bahrain, and Qatar. Although that could change, there's not a total ban.
READ MORE: Gaming Expert Issues Warning After Rockstar Releases New GTA 6 Screenshots
Of course, Grand Theft Auto has a colourful history when it comes to being banned. GTA IV was notably banned in Thailand when a teen robbed and killed a taxi driver to mimic the game, whereas Tajikistan banned the entire franchise over fears it promotes violence among the younger generation.
Although not a widespread ban in the USA, the ESRB was forced to change GTA: San Andreas' rating to Adults Only (AO) when the 'Hot Coffee' sex-based minigame was found in the 2004 title.
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GTA Online has also landed publisher Take-Two Interactive in trouble, and when it introduced the "Diamond Casino & Resort" update, its themes of gambling led to the popular online contingent being banned in over 50 countries.
Even though locking one billion players out of GTA VI in any form might sound like it'll hit the publisher in the pocket, the fact that pretty much the entire rest of the world will be playing means the dollars will soon be rolling in.