Mature rated GTA IV content detailed

360 News | And then removed by the BBFC.

As the release of one of the year's biggest titles edges even closer, new details on Grand Theft Auto IV seem to be coming a lot more frequently, although not all the information is coming directly from Rockstar.

The BBFC (The English version of the OFLC) recently rated GTA IV with an 18 certificate and on their website they outlined a little bit about some of the mature content in Grand Theft Auto IV. While the website has since removed the advice, Eurogamer was able to retrieve it, which can be found below. Be warned though, their may be some spoilers in the text.

Quote:

"GRAND THEFT AUTO IV is an open world action adventure game in which the player character is an Eastern European immigrant working for organised crime gangs in a fictitious city in the USA. The game has been rated '18' for strong violence, very strong language, very strong sex references and drugs use.

"Violence is a central theme of the game, with the character able to engage on missions which invariably involving killing in return for money and other in-game rewards. The character can gain use of a variety of weapons including machine guns, Molotov cocktails, a serrated knife and a rocket propelled grenade launcher.

"Injuries and death are shown with blood including blood projected onto nearby walls, windscreens and the camera lens. The character is able to attack and kill any other character in the game, including 'innocent' non player characters, although this carries a strong risk of being pursued by the police providing a negative consequence for such action.

"The game includes several uses of very strong language and frequent use of strong language. The very strong language occurs within 'cut scenes' in which the story and character development take place, in spoof television episodes and during a stand up comedy routine.

"Sex references also occur during cut scenes, including references to strong sexual behaviour. During gameplay the character can pick up prostitutes and pay for three different levels of service. What follows is an un-detailed portrayal of masturbation, fellatio and intercourse. The character can also visit lap dancing clubs and request a private dance. While the game contains sexualised dancing and the portrayal of sex, there is no sexualised nudity.

"Reference is made to drugs trafficking and several cut scenes portray cocaine snorting. There is also a satirical reference to the domestic production of a hard drug, but it does not contain the detail necessary to reproduce this in the real world.

"GRAND THEFT AUTO IV has been classified at '18' and is appropriate for adults aged 18 and above only."

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40 Comments

DrTim

4 years ago

Does this affect the AUS release? Had the OFLC made a rating on this yet?

Luke

4 years ago

GTA IV is MA15+ in Australia and completely uncut.

mipac

4 years ago

Luke wrote

GTA IV is MA15+ in Australia and completely uncut.

....for now. You just KNOW they will find some reason to suddenly have a fit over it in the week of the 20th, the OFLC wouldn't have it any other way.

RXWAG

4 years ago

usually they have a fit about GTA games about a month after release cause mothers complain about the content, so get in early before it gets banned and then brought out again...

rockstar tend to hide the content that cause the controversy anyway but once its found well......bring on the whinge george.

Toastfarmer

4 years ago

It would be interesting if Mr Atkinson read that little passage with the knowledge that he alone was ensuring that content would be enjoyed by 15-17 year olds across Australia.

Charly

4 years ago

Luke, MA 15+ and completely uncut? For serious?

The article says:

>>>SPOILERS<<< wrote

"During gameplay the character can pick up prostitutes and pay for three different levels of service. What follows is an un-detailed portrayal of masturbation, fellatio and intercourse."

Yet, it passes on a MA15+ rating? Seems wrong to me.

I'm not a prude and don't care that the content is in the game, I just think it shouldn't be pushed through on a MA15+ classification. Just proves how our lack of a R18+ rating is exposing younger audiences to games that might be unsuitable.

Luke

4 years ago

Definitely uncut, Rockstar has confirmed it to PALGN, so yeah it all passes through on an MA 15+ rating.

john_solids

4 years ago

aslong as we get it nice and early we shouldnt have anything to worry about, maybe a month after release they might have another look at it though.

Itachi

4 years ago

ohh B3NBO would love it if this Country got a R+ rating and this game was the first to get a R+ hahah. Your right Charly Thoe that is very very crazy. Thanks for the info Luke.

TheAnswer

4 years ago

Charly wrote

I'm not a prude and don't care that the content is in the game, I just think it shouldn't be pushed through on a MA15+ classification. Just proves how our lack of a R18+ rating is exposing younger audiences to games that might be unsuitable.

I understand what you're saying, but you do know that while you disagree with the ruling you do work for a company which sells these titles. As such it's like you're condoning these titles coming out as you'll be one of the people handing these over to customers unless you refuse to sell that particular title yourself on principle

Passa

4 years ago

This is why the entire rating system needs an overhaul. There is too big a jump between 15 (MA15+) and 18 (R18+). A system more like America's Teen for your average shooter and Mature for more extreme content would be a great idea.

On the other hand.. that content is totally unnecessary. I'm not some kind of crazed conservative, but that sexual content has nothing to do with the main premise of the game. I don't have a problem with the higher level content in most games, since they become part of the experience, but that stuff can't possibly add to the game in a meaningful way.

Why does Rockstar have to stir controversy with stuff like this?

Aftershock

4 years ago

Hype.
Publicity.
Controversy.

Call it what you will, its generally good for the publisher.

Anonymous

4 years ago

TheAnswer wrote

Charly wrote

I think everyone who works in retail will be selling things they don't like or disagree with at some point. That's sales for you. Unless she directly has an influence over what classification the game gets in the first place, it wouldn't be wise for her to forfeit her job by "standing up for what she believes in".

el_rezzo

4 years ago

Sounds a lot like Saint's Row (apart from the sex references which is apparently the major problem the classification boards see with GTA)

el_rezzo

4 years ago

Passa wrote

I think It's more that if we had a 18+ rating Rockstar would see us in-line with other countries. I don't think they would bother to "stir controversy" in Australia when they most likely don't care what sales or ratings their game gets over here. The sooner we get an R18+ rating, the sooner we can keep our kids from playing these games (at least less than they are now).

We haven't even played the game yet we are discussing the "sexual content" of the game. Our prejudices should be reserved until the release of the game. Thats how it has always been in the past (Saying this very sarcastically as I'm sick of reading reviews by people who review a game without a neutral basis).

GTAIII was amazing to me when I first played it, I had never played anything like it but no-one under 16 should play it. Maybe under 18 as well . 16 is my basis for comprehenisve human thought though, although it varies form cases to cases. GTAIV will be the same kind of evolution GTAIII was, hopefully it isn't overshadowed by the negative press that is surely to surround it. Most likely people will complain that it is a murder/terrorist simulator.

bradc1988

4 years ago

Once this hits our shores uncut, I'm sure it'll go the same route as III and after a few months parents who unknowingly bought it for their under aged kids will see this content and they'll proceed to complain and it will be re-released. It's unfortunate, but likely.

I'm just making sure I get a copy on launch this time as I missed out with III

Juztin

4 years ago

I was playing GTA III (heck even GTA II) when I was 16yr old and younger and did I turn out to be an terrorist or murderer............no! I haven't because I've always known that what I do in the game is not aloud in the 'real world' when it comes to games like these. Isn't the whole point of video games is to entertain us, be it sick or not?

Parents should research games before buying them for there underage kids, and teach them that what happens in games like GTA should not be done in the Real World period!

Toastfarmer

4 years ago

Passa wrote

On the other hand.. that content is totally unnecessary. I'm not some kind of crazed conservative, but that sexual content has nothing to do with the main premise of the game. I don't have a problem with the higher level content in most games, since they become part of the experience, but that stuff can't possibly add to the game in a meaningful way.

Why does Rockstar have to stir controversy with stuff like this?

I think it's good that they're pushing the boundaries. The sexual content may have nothing to do with the main premise of the game, but the allure of GTA has never been the main premise of the game, it's been everything else - all the things they've put into the worlds to make them fun and more immersive, like the radio stations, the funny things people say on the street, the billboards, the freedom, the feeling of being in a city of extremes. There's no reason Rockstar should have to shy away from what is still essentially mild sexual content. I don't think they're purposely trying to stir controversy, but rather edging forward as they have always done. It wouldn't make sense to remain static, to say 'Well, we're getting away with the bouncing car prostitute thing, let's just play it safe and leave it there.' They're taking it the next logical step forward, as they're doing with every other component of the game.

It doesn't make sense to me that we would support an R18 rating, claiming that video games like GTA are for adults, only to shy away ourselves when we think Rockstar put in something just a little more raunchy than a bouncing car. It's not about whether its a critical component of the game or not. And sure, controversy has never hurt sales. But I think that Rockstar are simply doing what they have always done, and to say 'Ooh, they've gone too far' or 'Why would they do this?' comes off to me as slightly hypocritical.

bradc1988

4 years ago

Whenever you think gangsters or mobsters, you think sex, drugs and violence; so Rockstar is just providing a realistic environment. You're playing the role of a criminal and they're just providing the paths in game that can, and are done in real life. Unnecessary? I think not. It is the premise of the game.

MikeZombie777

4 years ago

Hey guys, I don't want to cause alarm but read this:
http://blogs.theage.com.au/screenplay/archives/009121.html

Either it's a late April Fools joke or Rockstar have blatantly lied to Australian gamers.

"A Rockstar spokesperson confirmed to Screen Play yesterday 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."

Itachi

4 years ago

Looks like they lied to you Luke

ittekimasu

4 years ago

They gonna be trying to catch me ridin dirty.

Hopefully it's not cut, thou I would like to find out before i purchase, might have to import just in case.

MikeZombie777

4 years ago

Yeah I'm personally going to just be importing. Not gonna bother taking the chance. Might get Dark Sector shipped with it actually.

Jellyfish

4 years ago

I doubt the stuff that's been cut will have a negative effect on gameplay in any way. You might miss a couple of gimicky things like a useable red-light area or something but the majority of the game will be untouched.

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Grand Theft Auto IV

Pre-order or buy:
PALGN recommends: www.Play-Asia.com

Australian Release Date:
  29/04/2008 (Confirmed)
Standard Retail Price:
  $119.95 AU
Publisher:
  Rockstar Games
Genre:
  Action
Year Made:
  2007

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