games  anime  |  toys
Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

 


Captain Obvious: GTA IV censored in Australia photo

Regular readers will know that for all the problems the US and Europe put up with in terms of the anti-games agenda, things could be worse -- we could all live in Australia. Community member Boolean has informed us of Australia's latest foolishness -- arising from the country's lack of an 18 rating -- as Grand Theft Auto IV has received edits to make it suitable for 15-year olds.

This is certainly nothing new. Rockstar has been having to make special versions of GTA for Australia since the unedited version of Grand Theft Auto III was banned. It just goes to show that Australia needs a little evolution. It's ludicrous to demand that there be no material purely for adults in the country.

Rockstar has not confirmed what, exactly, the edits are, but if this game is as adult-oriented as it seems, one would think that importing is the best option if you don't want an incomplete experience.  

We don't talk about the trouble of Australian gamers enough, but rest assured we feel terrible for you guys. Dicked over by the industry as much as Europe, and even when you do get a game, there's a chance of it being banned or hacked down. Here's hoping you get an 18 rating soon.


Continue: More Grand Theft Auto stories





prev next

50 comments | showing # 1 to 50

The Johnggernaut's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 06:29
The Johnggernaut
WTF can they do? Make the guns giant hot dogs that shoot out mustard??? A gun is a fuggin gun and no matter how you censor it, anyone playing it will know wtf is going on...

Ridiculous...
Ferros's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 06:35
Ferros
We're all just importing it from New Zealand or England. The Australian dollar is pretty strong at the moment so it's cheaper to import than to buy at retail anyway.
Veck's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 06:38
Veck
I'm surprised Rockstar didn't just edit the game for Australia in the development stages. They must've seen this coming.
Boolean's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 06:44
Boolean
@ Ferros: That's the most bizarre thing, you hop over to New Zealand and they have had an 18+ video game rating since..well..ever I think. Last time I checked it hadn’t turned into a super criminal hell hole. Sure its still full of New Zealanders which is always a bad thing (^_^), but the crime rate hasn’t exploded just because adults played a game meant for adults.

Over 10 years this debate has been going on.
hoezee's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 06:47
hoezee
Ferros, that is what I was going to say. The ps3 is region free right? You can just import the game and bam, blood, or hookers, whatever.
Boolean's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 06:47
Boolean
@ Veck: Back in February Rockstar actually stated that GTA would release in Australia with no edits. Of course once the OFLC found out that the game had "guns" and "a cloud shaped like a gun" and "pollution", they bought down their red faced fury as they like to do and forced the changes.
The Young Scot's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 06:47
The Young Scot
Australia, my heart goes out to you. No 18 rating? Seriously? That is madness!
Release82's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 06:49
Release82
I was planning on moving to Australia when the U.S. Government collapses and anarchy takes over, now I'm thinking New Zealand. Lord of the Rings was filmed there so it can't be that bad.
vampireblood's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 06:57
vampireblood
Yep being Australian I can assure you having an R18 rating sucks balls but It's soon coming, SOON we will have an R18+ rating with the new government laws etc brought in by the Rudd Government.

As for GTA4, well I'm resorting to importing, I don't want no BS Censored version, every GTA game from GTA3 onwards has been imported anyway ;P
Totally Tubular Thomas's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 07:04
Totally Tubular Thomas
Our Prime Minister looks like a Pokemon. I hope that has some influence on an R18+ rating for games here.
hoppo254's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 07:09
hoppo254
Pedestrains are Kangeroo's and the guns are boomerangs , all the bad language is now Rack off ! and Neighbours and Home and Away play in the background on tc's.

The Music has been replaced with Rolf Harris's version of Knockin on Heavens door
wardrox's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 07:11
wardrox
.... why don't they have an 18 rating? Seems like a kinda of obvious step to me.
The Young Scot's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 07:13
The Young Scot
@Totally Tubular Thomas

So i herd u liek Kevin Rudd...
Professor Pew's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 07:15
Professor Pew
Can't wait to decapitate aboriginals in the uncensored version. I hear Native Australian Societal Rape Tycoon is John Howard's favorite game though. How did that get away with bans in the last 300 years?
FooLiz's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 07:17
FooLiz
This sucks but we all knew it would come. Anyone who had seen the trailer knew deep down that the Australian OFLC would chuck a hissy fit.
orao's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 07:20
orao
Worst country ever.I..
promise my sister come I would come to visit her, I can't wait to leave in a week or week and half. I go back to europe is at least much better I stay there, only visit japan. kevin rudd has a fat face. democracy, si more like totalitarian regime
RAPEGAME's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 07:43
RAPEGAME
play-asia ftw

uncensored and $50 cheaper
Stoney's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 07:46
Stoney
Being an aussie just got worse. We already paid $100 for games and now this.
Sarin's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 07:50
Sarin
@rapegame
That's where my money's going.

The R18+ rating is currently crawling through the Government legislature so it will probably take a while before it gets put in place.
Also I can't wait for GTA IV

Also this is like a week old now
Remz's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 08:02
Remz
And once again, we aussie gamers get fucked over.


aw well. :(
Sarin's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 08:07
Sarin
@qwerty
No one with any self-respect drinks Fosters in Australia. You'll honestly never find it in any pub.
It's the shittest beer ever made and thats why we try to ship it as far away as posible :P
Ali D's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 08:09
Ali D
Man alive, and I moved here...

Also getting news that Rock Band maybe delayed until Christmas!!! There are also terrible rumours that it may not even be released. If I win the lottery one day, I'm buying a second house back in Scotland so I can play some fuckin' games.
p1xelat3d's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 08:10
p1xelat3d
@qwerty: every country has their own pussies, too bad they're a lot of them working in the government, the blokes that sit back and relax and have a beer are too cbf to do anything really.

last time they edited a gta game they just took out the hookers on the street, im hoping nothing too serious that affects the story and feel of the game are being edited.
Doom Gaze's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 08:12
Doom Gaze
What the hell kind of edits are they making? Is it going to just be one continuous bleep throughout the 100+ hours of game play with black bars over any and everything obscene?

Man, I feel for you Aussies.
Demtor's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 08:15
Demtor
What happened to the old days where people got upset about actual REAL LIFE violence and crime that goes on every single day.
Crunshii's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 08:15
Crunshii
Import time!
wakeey's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 08:19
wakeey
What is yahtzee going to do?
10BobMarleys's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 08:22
10BobMarleys
all they tok out last time was the hookers, which were back in by the time san andreas came out. Even the re-released San Andreas had hookers. Id be surprised if they took out more than the decapitations and hookers.
RJG's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 08:27
RJG
While we're all bitching about us Aussies missing out on the real GTA, spare a thought for Europe who gets dicked over on Rock Band pricing. This isn't an issue in Australia for one simple reason:

We don't get the game at all.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 08:32
Holyetheline
So glad I live in America...
AgentMOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 09:00
AgentMOO
All characters changed to care bears, and action keys are all mapped to "hug"
BluDesign's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 09:09
BluDesign
On the flip side, prostitution is legal in Australia, so maybe they're just looking out for all the hookers not wanting to get killed.
topgeargorilla's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 09:26
topgeargorilla
they should call it "Grand Fun Auto IV"!

I'd buy it!

Speaking of censors, was anybody else not allowed to play FFVII because there was swearing?

Yeah, it sucked.
p1xelat3d's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 09:28
p1xelat3d
it's sad how a lot of people specially from the older generations use games as a scapegoat for their own faults.

not to say that the youth aren't to be blamed as well, but cmon there's a lot more factors out there to get a kid to pick up a gun and shoot someone..

this is lame, i'm contemplating on cancelling my gta iv preorder and getting that Kratos toy instead lol :P
Josh Tolentino's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 09:46
Josh Tolentino
PS3 owners aren't completely in the cold. Since the PS3 is nominally region-free, you could import it from an uncensored country. Hell, you could import a bunch of copies and sell them at shortage prices.
double2's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 09:46
double2
the anus shattering thrust will probably be whent he australians realise they cant use the DLC if they buy a non local version of the game...well at least you got that special gold version of Ocarina of Time...good old gold version of Ocarina of Time...keep holding on to that!
Justin Villasenor's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 09:49
Justin Villasenor
Poor Aussies. They just can't catch a break.
double2's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 09:56
double2
sorry, can i also just add for contrast to everyone elses statements - i assume that an 18 version simply will just mean less blood. are there any aussies here who have played censored and uncensored versions of previous GTA games? can you clue us up on this whole rigmaroll? rickmaroll?
gleesona's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 10:05
gleesona
Yes, fucking Australian government sucks donkey balls. We need the R 18 rating RIGHT NOW!!!!
brad drac's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 10:34
brad drac
Poor, poor australians. At least they can import normally non-gimped EU copies of the games without having to crack their consoles, but that's really small consolation.
milescosmo's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 10:41
milescosmo
I was under the impression the US had no 18 rating either, or at least one that the big three will allow to be stamped on one of their games. But i spose thats not a problem considering how lax they are when it comes to rating their games. I hate living in Australia sometimes, but ill just import it, still trying to decide which system to get it for maye being forced to import will decide for me.
Druid 01's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 11:38
Druid 01
The US's M rating is for 17+ in age. and then the AO is pretty much for porn, or games that are made scapegoats (cough manhunt 2) in order to attempt to scare gamemakers into making games less violent. you can't find AO rated games anywhere in the US. but the usually 18 year old one is M
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 11:48
king3vbo
This is so facepalming-lame... honestly... why does AU do this?
brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 12:23
brainderailment
It's never about violence, it's always about sex. Because sex is sooo much more detrimental to the younginz.
necrozen's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 16:51
necrozen
That's really sad, australians. I'm sorry to hear that. Man, I always wanted to move there because it seems like such a nice place and all the Australians I've ever met have been really cool folks, but if they gimp my games, forget it.
HarassmentPanda's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 17:47
HarassmentPanda
Hey, at least mod chips are legal over there so that importing is more friendly?
BlackSunEmpire's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 20:56
BlackSunEmpire
Its probably cheaper to import a copy anyway. You just wont have it on day 1 necessarily.

@RJG Are you sure you dont get rockband?? Or are you just talking about it being delayed??
p1xelat3d's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/10/2008 22:42
p1xelat3d
Oh well, at least we get prizes like this:

http://www.xbox.com/en-au/community/news/2008/0304-xbox360chopper.htm
Necros's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/11/2008 02:07
Necros
Grand Auto IV doesn't have the same ring.
hood_954's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/11/2008 06:33
hood_954
FUCKING FACEPALM JPEG RIGHT HERE. I WANT TO DO HOOKERS AND THEN STOMP ON THEM AFTER! Also, ROCK BAND.
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 
New on Destructoid.TV play all videos

Loading
Loading Destructoid Videos


    Win this!
    Dive in! meetup+play for a chance to win a PC

    Dtoid Twitter    Got news?   tips@destructoid.com

    Reviews & Previews
    Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles review
    Left 4 Dead 2 review
    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex review
    Arkedo Series - 02 SWAP! review
    EyePet review
    more reviews
    Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks
    Monster Hunter Tri
    Hooking onto, under and above Just Cause 2
    PS3's 256-player MAG
    Rooms The Main Building
    more previews


    - The Dtoid Army is 50689 strong -

    Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps   show all

    Call for entries: do the wrong thing

    New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide




     Originals
    Jim Sterling: Think L4D2 is an expansion? You're a f*cking idiot





















    More Destructoid Originals




     Popular now more






















    Team Destructoid   tips@destructoid.com
    Nick Chester
    Editor-in-Chief
    Niero
    Founder, publisher
    Jim Sterling
    Reviews Editor
    Hamza Aziz
    Community Manager
    Dale North
    News Editor
    Rey Gutierrez
    Video editor & director
    Anthony Burch
    Features Editor
    Colette Bennett
    Tom Fronczak Brad Nicholson
    Ashley Davis Ben Perlee
    Conrad
    Zimmerman
    Chad Concelmo
    Jonathan Holmes Jonathan Ross
    Brad Rice Jordan Devore
    Will Maddock Matthew Razak
    Dyson Joseph Leray
    Topher Cantler Samit Sarkar
         
      Dexter
    Adam Dork
    Daniel Lingen
    Hollie Bennett
    Joe Burling
    Mikey
    Stella Wong

    Josh Tolentino




     

     
      get involved

    register or login
    post a blog
    post a forum
    enter a contest
    contribute a news tip
    suggest a feature
    be a guest editor
    support

    new member's guide
    login assistance
    tech support
    report abuse
    email our editors
    read our dev blog
    nuclear crisis?
    keep in touch

    RSS feed
    Twitter
    Facebook
    Myspace
    Flickr
    Game nights
    Meetup+play online
    seriously

    about Destructoid
    advertising
    terms of use
    privacy policy
    jobs at MM
    buy our crap
    our network

    Tomopop
    Japanator
    Despingation?




    Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
    living the dream since March 16, 2006