GTA 6 devs' Grand Theft Auto franchise is now banned in Tajikistan
The excitement around GTA 6 keeps on increasing with its release window, set for Fall 2025 at the moment, drawing closer ever so slightly with each passing day. However, fans in Tajikistan have been on the receiving end of bad news as the country has reportedly banned the distribution of Grand Theft Auto (and even Counter-Strike) games due to them containing elements of crime and violence. The notification for the same can be viewed on the official Instagram page of the Dushanbe Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (@dushanbepolice).
The said post features a lengthy caption explaining the decision, wherein the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the city of Dushanbe urges citizens, and owners of computer gaming centers to not allow the distribution of Grand Theft Auto and Counter-Strike games. While no particular GTA title was named in this caption, the move could seemingly mean a ban on GTA 6 in Tajikistan well before its official release next year.
GTA franchise banned in Tajikistan just before GTA 6's release in Fall 2025
The incredibly popular Rockstar Games franchise is no stranger to such things. In fact, it has been linked with controversies ever since its inception. For instance, Grand Theft Auto 3 was banned in Australia not too long after its original release and only re-launched after some changes were made.
Whether something similar could happen in this case as well cannot be said at the moment. Therefore, it seems like Grand Theft Auto 6 might not be distributed in Tajikistan when it launches next year.
As for the rest of the world where the franchise isn't banned, the excitement continues as fans await the arrival of GTA 6's second trailer.
Rockstar Games hasn't announced a release date for it yet, but many in the fanbase feel that it could be close, especially as it has almost been a year since the first official trailer dropped. Some fans have also reacted to the recent supposed PS5 Pro leaked specs, wondering how the upcoming title would perform on the brand-new console.
Also check: GTA 6 "will blow people away" as per an ex-Rockstar designer