GTA 6 is expected to launch in November 2026 (unless there are delays), but it might not be available everywhere. In Russia, a prominent political figure has called for the game to be banned or heavily censored. This means Russian players could either miss out on the game entirely or get a modified version with certain content removed.
According to NEWS.ru, Mikhail Ivanov, deputy chairman of the World Russian People’s Council and a member of the Bryansk regional Duma, expressed concern that Grand Theft Auto VI could “corrupt young people” through what he describes as “immoral content.” Ivanov urged that the game be either banned in Russia or edited to remove all elements deemed inappropriate for local audiences.
Concerns Over “Immoral” Content in GTA 6
Ivanov claimed that Rockstar Games is deliberately including “destructive and vulgar” material that, in his view, harms the moral well-being of society. He specifically pointed to rumors about male strip club scenes in GTA 6, calling them a “direct and cynical violation of basic moral norms and traditional spiritual values.”
He stated, “Allowing such content is tantamount to corrupting the younger generation. We need to either impose strict legal restrictions on the distribution of such games in Russia or require publishers to release special versions for our market, cleared of immoral content.”
Although Ivanov does not have the power to make laws himself, his position gives him influence in Russian political and cultural discussions. His statements reflect a wider push from conservative groups in the country to limit Western media that they believe promotes “immorality.”
Ivanov also warned that GTA’s popularity makes it a “dangerous tool of influence,” arguing that Russia should protect its children from the “poison of corruption and permissiveness under the guise of entertainment.”
While Rockstar Games has not commented, it would be technically challenging to create a special censored version only for Russia due to the game’s size and complexity.
In other news, Rockstar Games is reportedly granting a terminally ill fan’s wish to play Grand Theft Auto VI early.
