Australian GTA IV was censored before classification. New Zealand got the same game despite having an R rating at its disposal. The story’s been told many times but, before today, it seemed nothing more a depressing reminder of how outdated our classification system is and how NZ got caught in its crappiness.
While Oz is still fighting for games to be treated like movies and literature, NZ no longer has to deal with an edited GTA IV.
Stan Calif, owner of NZ retailer First Games took it upon himself to pay the $NZ 1400 ($AU 1130) fee to have the unedited GTA IV classified by the country’s OFLC. It took a number of weeks for events to transpire but finally, New Zealand gamers can buy the complete version of GTA IV from Stan’s store.
You can read the entire story beyond the link.
GTA IV Uncut Hits New Zealand [Geekpulp]
anthonii
May 21, 2008 at 4:32 PM
I want to know what was actually censored?
Report PermalinkNegativeZero
May 21, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Good for him. I wonder if he’ll ship to Australia? I still haven’t bothered to pick the game up after the whole ratings thing and their decision to region-lock the US 360 release.
Report Permalinktakuie
May 21, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Negative you do realise that the UK one is uncut? I got mine a few days after the release and been enjoying it ever since.
Report Permalinkban
May 21, 2008 at 6:08 PM
there’s honestly bugger all in it worth censoring and bugger all worth importing the uncensored version for. i think what i’m saying here is that it will not affect your gameplay as far as i am aware (unless you really like watching 3D models give fake handjobs?)
still, good on that man. how about an uncensored pal no more heroes? just in case freeloader gets borked..
Report PermalinkDave
May 21, 2008 at 6:16 PM
On their site it says they ship to australia. Probably best to contact them directly.
Report PermalinkAlex
May 21, 2008 at 6:24 PM
I emailed him and yes he will ship to Australia. Good times!
Report PermalinkKurt
May 21, 2008 at 7:31 PM
by anthonii at 4:32 PM
“I want to know what was actually censored?”
- Go here: http://www.refused-classification.com/ud_08_05.htm
Also, great job Stan! My PS3 copy has just now gone up on Trademe and if/when it sells I’ll be ordering from his site.
Report PermalinkTrel
May 21, 2008 at 10:28 PM
What even WAS censored? I’ve got an Australian copy and I’ve done it all, picked up whores, killed guys and seen the resulting blood, videos seem to show American version strippers are still just barely covered up by clothes, what was it?
Report Permalinkformulated
May 21, 2008 at 10:59 PM
BAN: there’s no such thing as a PAL uncensored version of No More Heroes, there’s a lot more involved in making that happen. Stan Calif merely went to the effort of legalising imported UK PAL copies of GTAIV.
Report PermalinkI’ve got the UK version for my 360 – on principal that as a paying customer I deserve the full game, even if that does include lame prostitute encounters.
Chillyhollow
May 22, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Stan, you are my hero.
Report Permalinkbazuden
May 23, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I agree, FORMULATED.
As paying customers we deserve stimulation simulation.
Report PermalinkAhmad
May 23, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Congratulations Stan. You made it onto New Zealand National TV for your efforts.
Video available here:
http://www.tv3.co.nz/News/GTA4uncutnowavailableinNZ/tabid/209/articleID/56995/cat/41/Default.aspx
Report PermalinkLELELELERORORORORYYYYYYYyy
May 27, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Aussie aussie aussie eat shit shit
Report PermalinkDrGreenThumb NZ
May 27, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Stan the man :)
Its a joke we got aus ver, why didnt NZ get the bloody UK ver we got R18 games here ,yes were more evolved then our drongo aussie neigbours
Report Permalinkmike
June 5, 2008 at 4:42 PM
its so stupid that they banned the word “bloody” in australian tourism ads over in the uk. but then the uk has a fully uncut GTA and Australia has a censored one..
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