UAE highlights national resilience at annual meetings as GTA 6 launch date nears

The UAE's annual government meetings took place this week, attended by President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. The discussions centred on national resilience and preparedness, reflecting on the country's ability to withstand recent challenges. Earlier this year, the UAE faced attacks that killed more than a dozen people and injured hundreds, but essential services were quickly restored and daily life continued with minimal disruption. Sheikh Mohamed stressed that every individual plays an important role in the country's advancement, and the meetings looked at how hard-won experience can make future responses even stronger.

While the government focused on national strength, entertainment news also captured attention across the Emirates. Grand Theft Auto 6, the highly anticipated sequel from Rockstar Games, launches on 19 November at midnight local time for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. Players who have pre-ordered digitally can already preload the game, with the UAE PlayStation Store listing the Standard Edition at Dh299.16 and the Ultimate Edition at Dh373.96. Boxed copies are expected to be available from 12 November, but they contain a download code rather than a disc.

Rockstar has confirmed that the game follows Jason and Lucia, two partners drawn into a criminal conspiracy in Vice City and the wider state of Leonida. The title is rated for ages 21 and over in the UAE due to mature content, and pre-orders before launch include the Vintage Vice City Pack and one month of GTA+. There is no native version for PS4, Xbox One or PC, though Xbox Cloud Gaming may offer access on supported consoles. As the nation reflects on resilience, many residents are looking forward to a different kind of immersive experience in the virtual world.