A PlayStation 5 game that was previously blocked from sale will now be offered for free to PlayStation Plus subscribers starting June 16th. This offer applies to those with Extra or Premium subscriptions, but not Essential. However, due to bans in certain countries, the game won’t be available at all in some regions, regardless of subscription level.
Final Fantasy XVI, a PlayStation 5 exclusive game released on June 22, 2023, remains unavailable in Saudi Arabia and much of the Middle East. This restriction, originally put in place when the game launched, is still in effect and doesn’t seem likely to change. As a result, PlayStation Plus subscribers in those regions will not receive Final Fantasy XVI as part of the June PS Plus Extra or Premium game selection.
Why Is Final Fantasy XVI Banned in Saudi Arabia and More?
There’s no official reason why Final Fantasy XVI isn’t available in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries. However, games are often banned there due to violent or LGBT-related content – with restrictions on LGBT themes being more frequent. While Final Fantasy XVI does contain violence, it’s typical for video games, so the ban is likely related to its inclusion of LGBT characters or storylines.
The Square Enix role-playing game features LGBTQ+ characters and includes a romantic relationship between two male characters, Dion Lesage and Terence. This representation has previously led to games being banned in certain countries, which is likely the reason for current restrictions – though this hasn’t been officially stated. While other developers often release altered versions of their games for these markets, Square Enix chose not to do so.
The biggest draw for PlayStation Plus subscribers this month was supposed to be Final Fantasy XVI, so it’s unfortunate that it won’t be included as originally planned. Usually when a game is removed, it’s replaced with something else, but that doesn’t seem to be happening in this situation.
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2026-06-13 18:45