Authorities warn that video games promote violence and criminal behavior
Take Two Interactive, game developer of the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise, faced a major setback ahead of the highly anticipated launch of GTA 6. In a move that sent shockwaves through the global gaming community, Tajikistan officially banned the entire GTA franchise months before its November 19, 2026 release.
Authorities in the Central Asian country say the game encourages violence, theft, murder and criminal behavior. Since this game is popular among young people, authorities fear that it could have a negative influence on young people.
Tajikistan has imposed a ban on several video games in 2024, including Counter-Strike and GTA. Interior Ministry officials have warned that the content of these games goes against national values and could encourage crime.
There is no indication that the government might consider lifting the ban on GTA 6 as it approaches its release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S.
Tajikistan isn’t the only country where the gaming franchise faces restrictions: Thailand has maintained a blanket ban on all versions of the video game since 2008, after a high-profile criminal case was linked to the game.
Malaysia has also placed restrictions on violent titles like GTA. In other countries, the approach is more nuanced since Germany and Australia have historically required censored or heavily edited versions, while several countries in the Middle East (including parts of the Gulf region) block or heavily regulate games with adult content involving crime, drugs, or explicit themes.
