As we have stated many times by now, life sucks when you're an Australian gamer. Overcharged, underappreciated and barred from legally purchasing a variety of titles, the Australians don't have it easy, and it seems that the latest farce over Grand Theft Auto IV was too much. Not only is the game censored, but Australians would have to pay comparatively more money for the cut down experience, and they're now turning to less legal methods for great justice.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that angered Australians are hitting back in full force:
Many Australian gamers have cancelled their [GTA IV] orders.
Already angered by the price of the blockbuster in Australia - $120 compared to $US60 ($64) in North America - gamers have reacted with outrage to news… that developer Rockstar has edited the game for Australia in order to obtain an MA15+ rating.
Many gamers said they cancelled their orders with Australian shops and will import a cheaper, uncut version, flouting the law.
As someone who wishes consumers would talk more with their money than their mouths, this is truly encouraging, and I would like to applaud the Australian gaming public for both giving their tormentors a significant "up yours" and also making a very smart consumer decision. Let's face it -- why should you be expected to pay more for a lesser experience, when you can spend less on the full game?
I hope the Australian government gets completely humiliated by this, especially as its actions have now indirectly influenced crime -- and they say it's the violent content IN videogames that does that, not violent content taken OUT. Maybe they should think about having that 18 rating now, like a real society.
Contest:
1:32 PM on 04.16.2008
| 
throw a big dick in the air and give that australian goverment a big fuck you!
I was wondering, though, which is the illegal part about buying the US version of the game in Australia? Possession of adult-intended content? Is there no porn in Australia? Are there no goddamn zombie movies?? Don't they have no fracking South Park??!? I'm confused...
so controversial...
what's next, people are going to be smuggling the game in back alleys for reasonable selling prices, and then doing cocaine off some hooker in a van, while smiling at some guns?!
it never ends...never!!!!!
lmao
Isnt Australia just a jazzed up prison island anyway?
BURN!
"YOU CALL THAT A KNOYFE? THIS IS A KNOYFE!"
"Thats not a knife thats a spoon"
"OH I SEE YOUVE PLAYED KNOFEY SPOONEY BEFORE HAVENT YA?!"
It does suck about the gaming stores there because of this. GTA is a huge seller. I could have sworn I read that game stores rely on releases like this. The big titles like halo and what not that move a lot of games and help their bottom line. The Ausie govt. could be hurting their businesses if enough gamers there are cancelling their pre-orders and importing instead.
$120 for a censored game. WOW.
That's fucking outrageous.
Damn Government. Nothing but a bunch of GOBLINS!
I'm sure they might say importing is illegal, but that's not necessarily true. Australia still run PAL systems, so there's nothing stopping them buying their copies from the U.K (from Play.com)or even Hong Kong (from Play Asia.
It's so good to see gamers voting with their feet and taking positive action. You can only ever take so much bullshit.
Go, aussie gamers, go! Bring the aussie government to its knees on this one. If they don't act soon, they'll be arresting half the country, with only their stupidity to blame.
we (australia) have got porn and zombie movies, it's just they don't like it when games get too violent. Pricks.
Also: 120$? Fuck that. Might see if I can get my mits on the UK version or something.
At that price point I would be importing all the time!
Just a side note, no-one drinks Fosters in Australia, it's generally considered to be a bit shit.
But on topic a lot of my friends are considering importing. Luckily a lot of stores such as Play Asia can get you a compatible version for less than retail :)
And to whoever said "it hurts the game stores", the main reason why I'm importing is because they are charging double the normal price. I didn't particularly mind that some rape scene was removed from the game. I have a little brother that watches me play games, so it would've saved me from explaining "what are they doing?"
EB australia has ludicrous prices. 80 dollars DS games, 110 dollar new release PS3/360 games, 120 for the popular games. 60 dollars for PS2 games!?! 50 dollars for pre-owned PS2 games (which they buy from you for 20 dollars).
I'd also be less surprised if the government BANNED the importing of video games rather than actually implement an 18+ rating for games
Actually, I would highly recommend importing our unsavory and filthy North American versions of GTA4. Our dollar needs all the help it can get!
GOING IN TO SAVE THE MUTHA-FUCKING DAY YEAH!
TEAM AUSTRALIA ! FUCK YEAH!
FREEDOM IS THE ONLY WAY OUT!
I will not pay 150 for the collectors. I will demand a discount and will update you as to how much I actually pay.
I have given up on buying games in Australia. We fork out more money for games and consoles than other countries, we get all the watered down content, we get no R18+ rating, we get great games canceled to hit our shores and we have to deal with ALWAYS being left behind when a game is released. If something is released in the US or UK or Japan we have to wait a further 3 months or more.
It's bullshit and I am fed up with it. Fuck you, my country. Fuck you indeed.
The day I buy a game on these shores will be the day that the R18+ rating is brought in and we are taken seriously as a country for game title releases. We are always shafted and its bullshit.
Passing an R18 rating isn't rocket science to do, but the powers that be make it seem so and are fudging the issue, with many fellow gamers suffering because of it.
Sure, its only a game some might say casually, but its a wider issue of the games industry being taken seriously. Unfortunately it seems many in power (just like some in the U.K) still have this jaded image of games and seek to hold the medium back. This does no one any good, and if anything is only gonna loose aussie retailers lots of money.
Whiny bitches! Tell that to the french after their revolution. I applaud those gamers out there for cancelling their pre orders and seeking their GTA4 from an import seller that respects and treats them like adults.
Yes, there is more to life than games. But when you love and believe in something, you should fight for it. Nothing wrong with that.
I wonder what Rockstar think of this whole ordeal? Lets hope they back the gamers.
At least they gave us Outback Steakhouse!
wait...