Following the lifting of a decade-long ban on its predecessor, Rockstar's next title is now listed for release in seven Middle Eastern countries.

A few days ago, Grand Theft Auto V and by extension, Grand Theft Auto Online, got a release date in multiple Middle Eastern countries where it previously was not available. Now it appears Grand Theft Auto 6 may be available to play in the said regions next year.

As reported by several fan accounts on social media, the countries where GTA 6 has made its debut on the PlayStation Store include Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Lebanon.

For context, Grand Theft Auto has long faced challenges in Middle Eastern markets due to its mature content, including violence, adult themes, and cultural sensitivities, running afoul of many censorship claueses in various countries in the region.

The appearance of an upcoming GTA title and the most recent entry in the franchise on these regional PlayStation Stores represents a potential shift in how major gaming publishers view the Middle Eastern market, which has grown exponentially in recent years.

Saudi Arabia alone has emerged as a gaming powerhouse. The country has hosted major esports tournaments and is actively working to become a global gaming hub. Opening the doors to what many expect to be the biggest game of the generation makes sense.

With GTA 6 being one of the most hyped releases in gaming history, its availability in these markets from day one bodes well for sales expectations. Aside from helping GTA 6 set yet another record, this official availability also means better server support, localized payment options, and potentially even Arabic language support in the future.

With that said, GTA 6 could pave the way for other developers to reconsider their approach to Middle Eastern releases. This would be a win-win situation, giving regional players better access to global gaming content while opening up lucrative new markets for publishers.

However, while the listings have appeared, details about content ratings, potential censorship, or regional pricing remain unclear. These factors will determine how well the game performs in these markets.