Australia Gets Censored GTA IV
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]
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Comments
Settle down people. Rockstar submitted an edited version for classification. The OFLC had nothing to do with it. Rockstar were simply being cautious.
Its bound to be something pretty trivial anyway. How many of you were honestly that upset over the edited versions of GTA3 and Vice City? Can you even recall what was edited in them?
If you really want to do something then contact the government about it. Urge them to consider a restricted rating for games.
AJ, thankyou, now that you’ve pointed that out Im a little bit calmer. I hope your right.
From what i’ve read NZ has an R18 rating and is also in the PAL region same as aust. Cant 360 owners just buy an NZ version of GTA IV and get around the censoring that way?
AJ – The Age isn’t a Murdoch paper, it’s a Fairfax paper. Not that I think that the games writer on the Sun would make this up either. Screen Play can be a bit lame, but there’s no reason at all to think that if Jason Hill says someone at Rockstar told him it was a pre-censored game that he’s making it up. I believe him more than I believe Palgn.com.au who are saying it’s otherwise.
Eh, no biggie. It’s just GTA IV. ;)
/ducks thrown rocks
/ducks again
/aw fuck my nose!
Who the fuck cares? If you really want “strong violence, strong coarse language and drug & sexual references” so badly, then mod your console and import a copy. To me all that shit just makes the game seem try-hard or something. Besides, with a lower rating it will sell more.
Did anyone have any doubt that this would happen? I’m still blown away by the idea that they want to charge you guys so much money for it, which is ridiculous when you consider currency conversion.
Just in case someone doesn’t know yet, PS3 games are region free (though check before yo ubuy anything), and MUCH cheaper to import anyway. So look around for a good import site and grab this uncensored if that’s how you want it.
IF this is even true, don’t blame RockStar. The OFLC hate RockStar completely unreasonable – hell, they banned a game because of a MOD – and while I don’t support this decision, they simply may not have gotten the game through the first time they tried… or just knew they wouldn’t the first time.
There’s only 1 person we need to blame for this disgusting violation of our rights as adults: South Australian Attorney General Micheal Atkinson.
really its not rockstars fault.
If the stupid australian government can’t make an r18 classification for games then there shouldnt be an r18 classification for anything.
being 18 now i wouldn’t mind if they made any game with strong violence r18. im sure those die hard fans will still be able to get it through their parents..
The government is looking at the miniscule possibility that
a) parents will complain
and
b)someone will go postal and start a shooting spree
i can’t recall the last time a person went on a shooting spree in australia after playing a violent video game. And really the game isn’t to blame.
We’re supposed to live in a democracy but we live in a dictatorship where whatever the current government says, goes. They do this so they can wash the blood on their hand onto the hands of others. Such as the game developers and us the consumer
Order it from playasia. Aussies already have to pay ~$120AUD for this shit anywhere they go (EB, Jbhifi etc). Playasia is selling it for ~$70bucks + shipping (which is about…. say $30). Order a few with a friend (or a few) and you’re actually SAVING money and getting a better version
Well thats the straw that broke the camels back, i was willing to pay the ridiculous price for the game to have it on day one, but not if im not even getting the full experience. Shame on rockstar for even submitting a cut down version, have they lost their balls or what?
This could be the start of a long relationship importing games. Hopefully at least this can be the fuel that starts a public outcry over the fucked up ratings system.
hahaha i just found out that my pre order copy is imported. :) i got nothing to worry about now
http://www.gpstore.co.nz and gamesman.co.nz if you want to import but be quick, limited edition are nearly or sold out.
We have been informed today that New Zealand will be receiving the same version of Grand Theft Auto IV as Australia.
As you have placed your order after Rockstar announced that the Australian version was edited, we are assuming that you will no longer require the game to be shipped from us, as we can’t supply you with an uncut version.
The last thing we want to do is supply you with a product that does not meet your needs and we’ve therefore taken the liberty of removing your GTA4 order from our web site.
We certainly hope we can be more helpful to you in the future! :)
Kind Regards,
Katey
Customer Service
Gameplanet Store