GTA 6 faces ban in Tajikistan, Thailand months before launch

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’s sent shockwaves through the global gaming community, Tajikistan has officially banned the entire GTA franchise months before its November 19, 2026 release.

Authorities from the Central Asian nation argue that the game promotes violence, theft, murder and criminal behavior. Since the game is popular among youth, authorities fear that it might negatively influence young people.

Tajikistan imposed a ban on several video games in 2024, including Counter-Strike and GTA. 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 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S.

Tajikistan isn’t the only country where the gaming franchise is facing restrictions, Thailand has maintained a full ban on all versions of the video game since 2008, after a high-profile criminal case was linked to the game.

Malaysia has also imposed restrictions on violent titles like GTA. In other countries, the approach is more nuanced as Germany and Australia have historically demanded censored or heavily edited versions, while several Middle Eastern nations (including parts of the Gulf region) often block or heavily regulate games with mature content involving crime, drugs, or explicit themes.