Russian Officials Demand a Clean GTA 6 Over Leaked Strip Club Scenes

Russian political figures publicly pressed Rockstar Games to remove what they called "immoral" content from Grand Theft Auto 6 after leaked footage showed male striptease and strip club scenes, raising the prospect of a regional ban and renewed debate about censorship for one of gaming's most high-profile releases.

The call came from several public figures, and Mikhail Ivanov, deputy chairman of the World Russian People’s Council, described the series as a "dangerous tool of influence" and urged Rockstar to issue a "cleaned" version for the Russian market or face a potential ban. The statement followed circulation of clips tied to last year’s leaks, which Rockstar acknowledged and which led to developer firings. Officials framed the complaint as a matter of public morals and national cultural protection.

For players, modders, and local retailers, the immediate impact is uncertainty. A government-mandated edited build could mean region-specific versions, altered storefront listings, or sales restrictions in Russia. The modding community and roleplay servers that rely on uncut assets could see knock-on effects if content is removed or if retailers refuse to stock certain editions. Preorders and distribution arrangements might be delayed or shifted while publishers assess legal and compliance risks.

This is not the first time Russian authorities have pushed back against international media that they judge contrary to local moral values. Past disputes have led to classification changes, age-rating interventions, and import controls. Those precedents suggest regulators could pursue formal action through classification boards, import rules, or platform-level removals rather than prohibitions at retail only.

Rockstar and parent company Take-Two have not issued a public, region-specific response to the demands. It remains unclear whether the companies will produce a tailored "cleaned" build, offer content warnings, or maintain a single global release. For the wider GTA community, the situation could shape launch-day experience and secondary markets - especially for players in Russia, but also for international collectors and resellers monitoring which versions go where.

Verify official communications from Rockstar and Take-Two before buying or preordering if you are concerned about content availability in your region. Watch platform storefronts and local ratings boards for notices about edited editions or age classification changes. Expect ongoing headlines as the release approaches and as companies weigh legal compliance against creative and commercial priorities.

What this means for readers is practical: keep an eye on official channels, consider regional restrictions when planning purchases, and follow mod and server communities for early signals of how any edits will affect gameplay and content access.