Saudi Arabia Bans Final Fantasy XVI

Final Fantasy XVI PC Saudi Arabia ban

One country will not be getting Final Fantasy XVI (FFXVI) when it launches later this year, as it is banned in Saudi Arabia. The Public Authority for Media has made an official statement. No reason was offered. [Thanks, Resetera and Glitched!]

Recommended Videos

The ESRB listed why Final Fantasy XVI received a “Mature” rating, as opposed to the series’s usual “Teen.” Reasons include sex scenes, torture scenes, drug use, prostitution, hate crimes, and sexual content. The Public Authority for Media did not pointed out what scene Square Enix refuses to compromise on. However, scenes for the game contain lots of violence, blood splatter, references to prostitution, partial nudity, and “a character caressing and straddling a man in bed.” Though the announcement was vague, only citing that Square Enix refuses to make necessary modifications to Final Fantasy XVI, we have seen Saudi Arabia ban other games for similar situations.

The large number of banned games include BlazBlue: Continuum Shift, Dragon Age: Inquisition, God of War, Heavy Rain and The Last of Us II, While a Final Fantasy XVI ban in Saudi Arabia might not affect gamers outside the country today, similar censorship may become more noticeable in the future. In April 2023, Saudi Arabia put $38 billion into game development and publishing. The gaming industry also received $488 million in funding in February 2023.

We will see Final Fantasy XVI come out on the PS5 on June 22, 2023. There will be a six-month exclusivity period. Unless something changes on Square Enix’s end, the game will not be available in Saudi Arabia.


Siliconera is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling Otome Game Arrives in May
Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling Otome Game Arrives in May
Read Article That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 Heads to Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll announced that That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 is about to join past seasons of the Tensura anime.
Read Article Genshin Impact Neuvillette and Kazuha Rerun Banners Detailed
Genshin Impact Neuvillette and Kazuha Rerun Banners Detailed
Read Article SuperGroupies Selling Madoka Magica Watches and Jackets
SuperGroupies Madoka Magica Merchandise
Read Article Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Event Will Appear at Shima Spain Village
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet extracurricular lesson event in Shima Spain Village
Related Content
Read Article Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling Otome Game Arrives in May
Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling Otome Game Arrives in May
Read Article That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 Heads to Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll announced that That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 is about to join past seasons of the Tensura anime.
Read Article Genshin Impact Neuvillette and Kazuha Rerun Banners Detailed
Genshin Impact Neuvillette and Kazuha Rerun Banners Detailed
Read Article SuperGroupies Selling Madoka Magica Watches and Jackets
SuperGroupies Madoka Magica Merchandise
Read Article Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Event Will Appear at Shima Spain Village
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet extracurricular lesson event in Shima Spain Village
Author
Stephanie Liu
Stephanie is a senior writer, translator, anime fan, and gamer who has been writing and gaming ever since she was four. She loves RPGs, simulations, and action games. Big animanga fan and was one of those girls who did school projects on anime. Only exhibits her true power at night. Aside from writing for Siliconera, she translates for light novels and video games.