Mikhail Ivanov, chairman of the 'Rossiya Pravoslavnaya' (Orthodox Russia) public movement, in an interview with Gazeta.Ru, made a public appeal to the Russian public and parents not to purchase or allow children to play the sixth installment of the Grand Theft Auto series. According to him, the new title from Rockstar Games 'blatantly promotes banditry, violence, substance use, and a destructive lifestyle,' turning actions that violate Christian commandments into the basis of the gameplay.
'An Investment in Spiritual Decay'
Ivanov emphasized that the game represents 'a system of views without a teacher and without God,' which, he claims, instills in teenagers an addiction to aggression and romanticizes crime. The public figure estimated the cost of purchasing the edition—around 10,000 rubles—as 'a direct investment in one's own spiritual decay.' In this regard, he urged parents to talk with their children, protect them from buying the game, and choose educational and safe alternatives instead.
Age Rating and Developers' Position
It is worth noting that Grand Theft Auto 6, like previous parts of the series, has a strict age rating of 18 and older. This means the game is officially not intended for minors, and its distribution among children contradicts both the law and Rockstar Games' own recommendations. Nevertheless, public calls for a boycott by religious and public figures in Russia are becoming an increasingly frequent occurrence ahead of major gaming project releases.
Context: What is Known About GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto 6 is the sixth main installment in the iconic action-adventure series by Rockstar Games. The game takes place in the fictional state of Leonida, inspired by Florida. Promotional materials, including the first trailer, showcase the neon aesthetics of Vice Beach, police scenes, and vibrant characters, which sparked criticism from conservative public figures. The game's release is expected in 2025–2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S platforms, while a possible PC port is being discussed in the community.
Reaction to Ivanov's appeal within the gaming community appears to remain restrained: most players and analysts believe that the moral assessment of game content protected by an age rating should not be substituted with public calls for a boycott. However, such statements form part of the public discourse surrounding the release of one of the most anticipated gaming projects of the decade.
