Counter-Strike and GTA Banned in Tajikistan: Government Cites Morality Concerns

Tajikistan has officially banned the distribution of the popular video games Counter-Strike and Grand Theft Auto (GTA), labeling them as “violent and harmful to society” as reported by The Record.

The country’s interior ministry recently issued a statement noting that authorities in Dushanbe, the capital, will conduct raids and inspections of gaming centers that may be distributing these games.

The ministry’s statement pointed to the risks of these games influencing teenagers and young adults, claiming that frequent players are more prone to commit crimes. Officials have urged parents to monitor their children closely, warning that games promoting “killing, theft, and violence” can have harmful effects on young minds.

Counter-Strike is a well-known multiplayer first-person shooter game where players join either a terrorist or counter-terrorist team to achieve goals like defusing bombs, rescuing hostages, or eliminating opposing players. GTA, on the other hand, lets players explore open-world cities and complete missions that often involve criminal activities as part of the storyline. These games, which combine intense action with narratives involving crime and violence, have attracted both global popularity and significant criticism.

The full statement read (translated):

” It is brought to the attention of citizens, especially the owners of computer game centers, that in accordance with the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan, the distribution of videos and games containing an immoral and violent nature is strictly prohibited.

In particular, according to the conclusion of the historical and cultural expertise of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan, the games “COUNTER STRIKE” and “GRAND THEFT AUTO” (GTA) contain elements of violence, murder and robbery. Analyses by law enforcement agencies also show that, unfortunately, some young people and teenagers, regularly addicted to such games, are negatively influenced by them and commit various crimes.

In this regard, the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Dushanbe demands that all owners of such centers prevent the spread of these games in the future. At the same time, citizens should monitor their children and prevent them from playing games that promote murder and violence. The metropolitan police, for its part, will conduct raids and verification activities.”

Tajikistan’s move reflects a broader trend seen globally, where certain video games face restrictions based on their content.

In August, Turkey blocked access to the popular gaming platform Roblox, citing concerns that it might expose children to inappropriate interactions, including attempts by predators to “groom” and manipulate young users. Roblox has also faced criticism over allegations that young developers on the platform were exploited financially, raising further questions about the platform’s oversight.

In Russia, authorities have proposed bans on games that they believe promote “anti-Russian values” or depict Russian characters negatively.

Meanwhile, in China, strict censorship regulations have forced Western gaming companies to adapt or exit the market. In 2021, for instance, Epic Games stopped developing the Chinese version of Fortnite due to challenges in meeting these censorship requirements.

This latest action by Tajikistan highlights the complex relationship between video games and government regulation worldwide. As video games continue to grow in popularity, especially among younger generations, we will get to see more of this battle of ideologies.