Russia threatens to block GTA 6 over leaked “immoral” content

Russia warns Rockstar Games to remove male strippers from GTA 6 or risk the game being banned in the country

Russia has threatened to block the release of Rockstar Games’ highly anticipated GTA 6 unless content deemed “immoral” is removed. 

The warning specifically targets leaked additions such as male strippers, which officials claim violate moral and cultural norms.

Mikhail Ivanov, deputy chairman of the World Russian People’s Council, criticized the inclusion of the scenes in the game, calling the series a “dangerous tool of influence” on young players. “The creators of GTA VI deliberately include destructive and vulgar content in their product, completely unacceptable to the moral health of society,” Ivanov said. He urged Rockstar to release “cleaned” versions of the game for the Russian market to comply with local standards.

The controversy follows multiple leaks of GTA 6 content last year, confirmed by Rockstar, which included story details, gameplay mechanics, and previously undisclosed features such as male strip clubs. Some developers were reportedly dismissed after the leaks, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding the upcoming release.

This is not the first time video games have been altered for specific regions. Similar adjustments occurred with Overwatch 2, whose Pride event was banned in several Middle Eastern countries in 2023 due to cultural sensitivities. Russia has also previously criticized other media, including films like Shrek and Monsters Inc, for allegedly impacting children negatively.

GTA 6 is scheduled for a global release on November 19, 2026, and is projected to be one of the largest game launches in history. Whether Rockstar will provide a modified version for the Russian market remains unclear, but updates are expected as the release date approaches.