GTA 6 faces ban in Tajikistan, Thailand months before launch

Authorities warn that the video game promotes violence and criminal behaviour.

DUSHANBE: Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise game developer, Take-Two Interactive, has faced a major setback ahead of the highly anticipated GTA 6 launch. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global gaming community, Tajikistan has officially banned the entire GTA franchise months before its 19 November 2026 release.

Authorities from the Central Asian nation argue that the game promotes violence, theft, murder, and criminal behaviour. Since the game is popular among youth, authorities fear that it might negatively influence young people. Tajikistan previously imposed a ban on several video games in 2024, including Counter-Strike and GTA, after officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs warned that content in such games goes against national values and could encourage crime. There are no signs that the government might consider lifting the ban for GTA 6 as it nears its release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Tajikistan is not the only country where the gaming franchise is facing restrictions, as Thailand has maintained a full ban on all versions of the video game since 2008 following a high-profile criminal case linked to the game. Malaysia has also imposed restrictions on violent titles like GTA. In other countries, the approach remains more nuanced; Germany and Australia have historically demanded censored or heavily edited versions, whilst several Middle Eastern nations often block or heavily regulate games with mature content involving crime, drugs, or explicit themes.