Gimped version of GTA IV for Australia

By Mike Bantick
Friday, 04 April 2008 08:17

Entertainment

While debate rages over an R18+ classification for video games in Australia, RockStar announce that they will bypass the furore by presenting a softer version of Grand Theft Auto IV to retail shelves.

Whist the ludicrous arguments against an R18+ classification for video games are bounced around the halls of power, the real world carries on.

With Grand Theft Auto IV slated for an April 29 release, RockStar Games have given an interview response detailing a special version for the Australian PAL market.

Though the game had already been reviewed and awarded an MA15+ classification by the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC), the highest possible video game classification in this country, RockStar have decided to alter the code anyway.

A Rockstar spokesperson confirmed that “ the company had produced a special version of GTA IV to comply with the Australian classification system, which does not currently contain an R18+ rating, but declined to reveal what material had been cut”.

Meanwhile over in the UK , GTA IV has passed certification un-cut by the British Board of Film Classification, with an R18+ rating.