Report: Banned games still available in Arab Emirates
by Kyle Orland 
{ Aug 8th 2007 at 6:50PM }
The United Arab Emirates might have just gotten the Xbox 360, but the country's government doesn't want people playing some of the more violent games out there. That's OK, though -- the citizens of the country seem to have no trouble getting hold of the banned games, according to a recent report. Gulf News reveals that UAE retailers routinely sell games like Grand Theft Auto under the table for 170 to 180 dirham (about $45 - $50) despite an official ban from the country's censorship department. "Smaller stores tend to buy games from wholesalers without getting official approval, or import it directly, many of which would be sold under the table." said Lalit Vase, Regional Manager at Take Two Regional Distributor Red Entertainment and Distribution in an interview with Gulf News. Even if the local UAE stores don't have it, it's usually possible to get around the law with Internet ordering.
It begs the question: If video game bans aren't effective in relatively closed states like the UAE, how effective would similar bans be in more liberal societies?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
eldee @ Aug 8th 2007 6:56PM
Easy.. in more liberal societies you've got a more structured market. Take the US for example.. if the ESRB gives Manhunt 2 an AO rating, the major systems won't carry it. Which means Manhunt 2 is dead in the water. If you're in a smaller European country that's somehow more conservative than the US when it comes to videogames, you'd probably be safe importing (so long as you could find a localized version).
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 8th 2007 7:05PM
It's real bad when you got actual pirates. The real mean-spirited hostage taking pirates of the seas.
LousyNixon @ Aug 8th 2007 7:11PM
I just read this in forums from a guy who lives is the UAE and not only gets them under the table but also get them from surrounding countries from there online retailers.
eM @ Aug 8th 2007 8:32PM
To be fair, the UAE's the Las Vegas of the Middle East. What happens in Dubai stays in Dubai.
Carlsb3rg @ Aug 9th 2007 7:58AM
Like the UAE, Kuwait and the other gulf countries are not very serious about video game censoring/banning. Pirated games are sold in the open for $3. I remember God of War was banned by the government, but it was very easy to get the game from the local shops.
Almadi @ Aug 9th 2007 8:07AM
Selling banned games is one thing. But selling a bootleg of an M-rated banned game to a minor is something else entirely.
This has reached epidemic proportions in KSA
http://madiart.blogspot.com/2007/03/bully-factory_29.html
GRANTED @ Aug 9th 2007 10:33AM
I don't think everyone realizes how rich and westernized UAE is. Like eM said, it's not your father's sand-and-oil economy. Money doesn't flow this freely in other, more conservative states.
Joe Tobacco @ Aug 9th 2007 3:12PM
well there were movements about banning such things, even some shops closed yet it calms down and everything goes back to "normal". what's sadder in my opinion is the lack of "retail". even virgin in Kuwait tried to sell ps3's for the public about 1200$+ a pop. same with games, new released ones go for 70-80$ unless you "know the guy" . and yes ordering through the internet is easy to avoid such bans. ordered the god of war games and got em.. i wonder if i can order pot.....
tom @ Aug 11th 2007 10:49AM
Well SOME people will always be able to get around bans, but the question is how many. Bans will reduce the number of banned items, not eliminate them.
-tom
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