UAE CENSORSHIP BOARD
In association with:
National Media Council and a Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community
25th May 2014
DUBAI
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
MEMBERS:
Ms. Billie (Convenor)
Mr Ibrahim
Dr Omar Sharif
BUSINESS
To review the video game ‘Grand Theft Auto V’, and come to a decision regarding the classification
and/or banning of the game in the UAE.
The National Media Council (NMC) was established in 2006 to oversee media development in the UAE
and to support media initiatives.
VISION
To become a highly credible official media reference which represents UAE media locally and globally.
MISSION
To provide an integrated regulatory environment for the information and communication sector in
the United Arab Emirates, and to be committed to the comprehensive coverage of all UAE events and
disseminating them to the largest number of media organisations locally and globally, and to highlight
the UAE's civilised and cultural image to local and international audiences.
VALUES

Nationalism: in work performance to highlight the council as a national organisation.

Accuracy: in work performance and media content.

Transparency: in the internal and external environment.

Objectivity: in everything issued by the Council.

Credibility: of media coverage.
REPORT
1. AIM
2. OVERVIEW
2.1 Synopsis
“Grand Theft Auto V” is an open world, action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar
North and published by Rockstar Games. It was released on 17 September 2013 for the
PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game is the first main entry in the Grand Theft Auto series
since Grand Theft Auto IV was released in 2008. Set within the fictional state of San Andreas,
based on Southern California, the single-player story follows three criminals and their efforts
to perform a number of heists while under pressure from a government agency. The open
world design lets players freely roam San Andreas, which includes open countryside and the
fictional city of Los Santos, based on Los Angeles.
The game is played from a third-person perspective and its world is navigated on-foot or by
vehicle. Players control the three lead protagonists throughout the single-player mode,
switching between them both during and outside of missions. The story is framed by the heist
sequences, and many of the missions have shooting and driving gameplay. The player
character's criminal activities may incite a response from law enforcement agencies, measured
by a "wanted" system that governs the aggression of their response. Grand Theft Auto Online,
the online multiplayer mode, lets up to 16 players explore the open world and engage in
cooperative or competitive game matches.
2.2 Game play
Grand Theft Auto V is an action-adventure game played from a third-person perspective.
Players complete missions—linear scenarios with set objectives—to progress through the
story. Outside of missions, players can freely roam the open world. Composed of the San
Andreas open countryside area and the fictional city of Los Santos, the world of Grand Theft
Auto V is larger in area than earlier entries in the series. The world may be fully explored from
the beginning of the game without restrictions, although story progress unlocks more
gameplay content.
Players use melee attacks, firearms and explosives to fight enemies, and may run, jump, swim
or use vehicles to navigate the world. There is a first-person perspective option when using
vehicles. To accommodate the map's size, the game introduces vehicle types absent in its
predecessor Grand Theft Auto IV, such as fixed-wing aircraft. In combat, auto-aim and a cover
system can be used as assistance against enemies. Should players take damage, their health
meter will gradually regenerate to its halfway point. If players commit crimes while playing,
law enforcement agencies may respond as indicated by a "wanted" meter in the head-up
display (HUD). On the meter, the displayed stars indicate the current wanted level (for
example, at the maximum five-star level, efforts by law enforcement to incapacitate players
become very aggressive). Law enforcement officers will search for players who leave the
wanted vicinity. The wanted meter enters a cool down mode and eventually recedes when
players are hidden from the officers' line of sight (as displayed on the mini-map).
3. DECISION
The Classification Board decided to assign a ban on the game ‘Grand Theft Auto V’ in the
United Arab Emirates due to “high level adult themes”, “high level violence”, “interactive drug
use which is detailed and realistic”, “depictions of sexual activity”, and “high level nudity”.
4. EVIDENCE AND OTHER INFORMATION TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
4.1 UAE Laws and customs
The laws pertaining to illegal activity within the United Arab Emirates are as follows:
1. (List some of the laws of this Country). Ie/ Drug use and possession is illegal…
4.2 Cultural and religious sensitivity
The United Arab Emirates is a Muslim Country, as such several sensitivities exist around
culture and religion…
5. FINDINGS
UAE Laws and customs
-
Violence
-
Drug use
Visual and overt use of drugs was present in the game. Frequent drug use was also
implied in some scenes. In the scene where…(provide an example from the game). This
particular scene is of high impact, and overtly demonstrates the use of drugs within the
world of the game.
As per the United Arab Emirates Penal Code, the use of illicit drugs is strictly prohibited.
As such, it is irresponsible and culturally insensitive to allow the distribution of a game
that overtly displays this illegal behaviour.
-
Language
-
Nudity
-
Religious/cultural sensitivities
6. REASONS FOR DECISION
As per the United Arab Emirates Penal Code, and the review undertaken by the National
Media Council, the decision to ban the game is due to the display of illegal activity within the
world of the game.
7. SUMMARY
In summation, the game “Grand Theft Auto V” has been refused classification and will be
banned in the United Arab Emirates. The distribution and/or sale of this game will be illegal
and those found in breach of this decision will face the full force of the law.