Screen Play is reporting that our version of GTA IV was modified in advance to get it past the Office of Film and Literature Classification with an MA15+ rating. While this has been confirmed by Rockstar’s local presence, it was tight lipped about what it removed from the game.
Rockstar has plenty of experience with the OFLC, so I’m not surprised it took no chances and edited GTA IV ahead of the ratings process. Doesn’t stop us from feeling ripped off, especially considering the game’s inflated price.
To be fair, what’s a publisher to do in the face of an antiquated classification system?
UPDATE (10/4/2008): Rockstar has released a statement regarding the edited version, and the lack of an R18+ rating in Australia.
UPDATE (15/4/2008): New Zealand is getting the same version of GTA IV as Australia.
GTA IV edited for Australia [Screen Play, thanks Dom]
Midda
April 4, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Well, PALGN said they contacted Rockstar about this, who said that we’re getting the exact same version as everyone else:
Report Permalinkhttp://palgn.com.au/article.php?title=Aussie+version+of+GTA+IV+completely+uncensored&id=10235&highlight=GTA%20IV
Tom
April 4, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Total bollocks. Just cancelled my special edition preorder.
Report PermalinkFUCK THE OFLC
April 4, 2008 at 1:28 PM
WTF THIS IS FUCKING GARBAGE!!!!!
Been waiting for this game for 4 years and they censor the famn thing!!
SOOO ANGRY!
Report PermalinkLogan Booker
April 4, 2008 at 1:33 PM
@Midda: That story is from early February. There’s a new story on PALGN, put up today, that has this new information.
Report PermalinkTom
April 4, 2008 at 1:36 PM
This is fucking bullshit
Report Permalinkmikezombie777
April 4, 2008 at 1:46 PM
What total fucking bullshit. Just last month R* said that we will be getting an uncut version and now they change their minds?
Fuck this backwards shithole country and screw Rockstar for talking out of their asses to everyone.
I will be importing.
Report PermalinkFerros
April 4, 2008 at 1:46 PM
PS3 owners will be importing the game in droves. Region free console + cheaper to import + unrestricted content.
Report PermalinkKorwin
April 4, 2008 at 1:51 PM
SOooooooooooooo anybody know if the 360 version is region free yet?
I’d get the PS3 version but none of my mates have a PS3 which would ruin multi for me.
Report PermalinkP.P.Bohner
April 4, 2008 at 2:06 PM
Easier to believe than the OFLC passing a game that allows the player to request BJs from hookers (even if the act’s not portrayed graphically). True or not, until we get an R rating, I’m not gonna take any chances. Any game rated M or above, hello Play-Asia.
Report PermalinkArvy
April 4, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Ebay US here i come
Report PermalinkNeuro
April 4, 2008 at 2:32 PM
What can publisher do? Patch it post release. Sort of like an interverted Hot Coffee mod situation.
Report PermalinkScott
April 4, 2008 at 3:42 PM
i have never imported before, what store can i get a PAL XBOX360 ver.?
Report PermalinkRyall
April 4, 2008 at 3:43 PM
yeah this is a real disapointment.. i would rather a long delay than a watered down version of the game. To me this is like the mona lisa wearing a burka for a middle eastern art gallery, a quick sale is not worth the sacrifice to artistic integrity.. which makes me look at rockstar in a different way. I may cancel my preorder, or just get all the swag and then sell the game in disgust.
Report Permalinksimon
April 4, 2008 at 4:00 PM
BLOODY HELL!
Report PermalinkMan… that really gets to me.
Our rating system is so bs
Parabol
April 4, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Solution (Especially for 360) : Cancel your pre-orders, and order online from NZ or UK!
Report PermalinkAJ
April 4, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Its ridiculous that they won’t reveal what items have been deleted, I want to know before I cancel my CE and import it from New Zealand. What the hell ever happened to freedom of information?
I wonder if its possible for people with the edited version to receive a patch if that Attorney General dies and the R rating gets pushed through? I’m sure Rockstar want us to have the full experience if possible.
Report PermalinkJP Dyno
April 4, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Damnit.. i really want my limited edition, and i really want to play it on april 29th. But another gimped copy of GTA….grr…
Report PermalinkI think ill keep my pre-order to play day 1, but might import it and try to palm off my aussie copy on ebay.
AJ
April 4, 2008 at 4:23 PM
Actually, before everyone goes completely bannanas and starts ordering sea crates full of copies from the Falklands.
It’s worth noting that this is all coming from a single news article in the paper (a Murdoch paper too), not from the OFLC and not officially from Rockstar.
When you consider the PALGN article linked above AND the OFLC website http://www.classification.gov.au/special.html?n=46&p=156&sTitle=grand+theft+auto&sProductionCompany=rockstar+games&sMediaFilm=1&sMediaPublications=1&sMediaGames=1&sDateFromM=1&sDateFromY=1970&sDateToM=4&sDateToY=2008&record=224873
It certainly sounds like the game they received and reviewed was the game everyone else got and the official word has been ‘no edits’.
The game was rated R in the UK but the British censors are a lot stricter than the OFLC with films like 300 being rated R in the UK and MA15+ in Australia. So its pretty conceivable that the poms slapped an R and the OFLC slapped an MA on the same game.
I’m keeping my duffel bag and lock box on pre-order until Rockstar PR arrive in their bouncing car with thier gold bling and tell me otherwise.
Report Permalinkaltodarknight
April 4, 2008 at 4:32 PM
I hope rockstar have made the 360 version region free.
It’s not rockstars fault. Its the Australian government’s fault, specifically the governer general. Make your feelings heard, let your local members as well as our attorney general know that we want an R18+ OFLC rating for video games. Also, let them know with your wallets, import from the US and if the 360 version isn’t region free New Zealand.
Report PermalinkMr Angry
April 4, 2008 at 5:09 PM
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!
Report PermalinkDom
April 4, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Ferros, no kidding. I’ve already pre-ordered my copy from Play Asia. It’s $45 cheaper, too, so the only reason not to do so would be the delivery time, but I can be patient.
Report PermalinkScott
April 4, 2008 at 5:36 PM
this is going to kill me, we’re not going to find anything out to at least monday!
Report Permalinkdisrupt3r
April 4, 2008 at 5:41 PM
Looks like every PS3 owner will be getting an import copy then..
So glad the PS3 is region free
sucks about 360 owners though..
Report Permalinked
April 4, 2008 at 5:47 PM
fuck them i just ordered it on Play-Asia. BECAUSE of this news. I said to myself and mates that if that happened it’s what I would do.
Screw you OFLC. I’m going home.
Report PermalinkOtaku Kidd
April 4, 2008 at 7:22 PM
What Mr Angry said ^^ This is so frustrating.
I’m angry that Rockstar lied and previously said we would receive the same version as everybody else, and fed up with the Australian government for being so conservative. I’ll hang onto my preorder for now, but if this turns out to be true, I’m importing from New Zealand.. like I did with Vice City and San Andreas.. ARHHH!
Report Permalink