New Zealand version of GTA IV also cut

360 News | Time to cancel those pre-orders.

It was recently revealed that GTA IV will be censored for it's Australian release in order to comply with the OFLC rating system. As a result many Australian consumers placed pre-orders with New Zealand retailers, hoping to get an un-censored version of the game.

However this morning Gameplanet.co.nz sent out the following email confirming that the New Zealand release will also be edited;

Quote:

Hi xxxx,

We have been informed today that New Zealand will be receiving the same version of Grand Theft Auto IV as Australia.

As you have placed your order after Rockstar announced that the Australian version was edited, we are assuming that you will no longer require the game to be shipped from us, as we can't supply you with an uncut version.

The last thing we want to do is supply you with a product that does not meet your needs and we've therefore taken the liberty of removing your GTA4 order from our web site.

We certainly hope we can be more helpful to you in the future!

Kind Regards,

xxxx

Customer Service
Gameplanet Store

Australians will now have to import from Europe if they want to obtain an uncensored PAL version of GTA IV. Rockstar is yet to comment on what has been removed from the local PAL release, leaving many gamers quite frustrated.

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67 Comments

cmdwedge

5 years ago

So very, very pissed off right now.

Let this be the impetus for Australian gamers to start writing to their local representatives in the Federal Government, rather than (as I have) just bitching and moaning on forums.

emech

5 years ago

some might argue that this is an argument for the rating system working as it should... encouraging developers to self-censor their titles to a level of appropriateness...............

Shadow Wave

5 years ago

Go grab it off ebay, for $66! its the uncensored version gogogo!

http://search.stores.ebay.com.au/GAMECONSULTANT_grand_W0QQfciZQ2d1QQfclZ3QQfsnZGAMECONSULTANTQQfsooZ1QQfsopZ3QQsaselZ72882503QQsofpZ0

cmdwedge

5 years ago

emech wrote

some might argue that this is an argument for the rating system working as it should... encouraging developers to self-censor their titles to a level of appropriateness...............

No arguments here. I actually don't have a problem with Rockstar censoring the game to comply with Australian requirements - many game publishers have had to do this for years in Germany (Return to Castle Wolfenstein doesn't have Nazis, it has some undead cultists).

I have two issues here.

1. Rockstar are not telling people what has been cut - yet expect Australians (and now Kiwis) to just buy the game, without knowing what they're actually getting.
2. The Australian GGs will not bring an 18+ rating into this country, to 'save the children' or something retarded like that.

The OFLC is only doing their job. If there was an 18+ rating, they'd glady rate GTA IV Uncut as an 18+ title, I'm sure. They're just working within their guidelines and have no personal, 'who will think of the children' agenda.

ittekimasu

5 years ago

Either this is their way of keeping all the uncut goodness to themselves or Rockstar was bloody lazy and just decided to give NZ the same version as AUS even thou NZ does have an R18+ for games.

Fetidchimp

5 years ago

The fact that NZ has an R rating doesn't mean that it isn't a strict R rating. It's possible that the cuts made were deemed to fit under NZ's R rating also.

john_solids

5 years ago

atleast i can laugh at my mate in NZ who was laughing at us for getting a cut version haha karma

A13x

5 years ago

I'm sure I saw a link to an article about this last week posted somewhere on the forums...

pedantics

5 years ago

pretty annoying that they just outright cancelled the orders - I'm ultimately not that fussed about the sheep fucking minigame being removed as am about now having to find somewhere still accepting special edition pre-orders.

and they don't respond to fucking emails!

Smurf80

5 years ago

A13x wrote

I'm sure I saw a link to an article about this last week posted somewhere on the forums...

I posted a link about this the other week but everyone seemed to think it was a hoax......I guess it was legit after all.

Deathfiend

5 years ago

Wow this is really getting out of hand now. I wonder how many people are planning on boycotting the game after that slap in the face.

It also seem a touch rude that they straight out cancled orders... Maybe they dont have enough to meet the demand.

john_solids

5 years ago

i dont think anyone would be stupid enough to boycott the game. its to good to boycott.

RXWAG

5 years ago

everyone is getting pretty worked up about this...
if it is only a cutscene check out you tube and you'll be able to see
it i would say??

if it is something within the gameplay i wont be to happy, leave
the hookers alone, they have to make a living to you know....

Farron

5 years ago

Well, gotta say sorry to the New Zealand people about having to suffer because of Australia's crappy rating system (all because of one man in South Australia), and for the first time they are now getting a censored version too.

Oh well.. i put my pre-order with Gpstore.co.nz, after cancelling my local pre-order now I have to cancel the gpstore.co.nz order as well. Major bummer! I don't know of any online stores in the UK who are doing the limited edition version, which is what I wanted.

bradc1988

5 years ago

Oh snap!

I suppose I'm lucky as I didn't place a preorder from a NZ store as I'm waiting to find out what was actually cut. I still won't make a decision until I find out what's been cut which from the sounds of it won't be known until release.

MikeZombie777

5 years ago

Haha wow I'm so glad I've already got my uncut UK copy secured!

Phil

5 years ago

Wow, people are idiots. You really thought they wouldn't release the same version in New Zealand? I thought people were kidding when they said they were going to pre-order from NZ. Sigh.

Rockstar haven't even said what is cut from the game, and everyone is in an outrage. Who cares? The ability to pick up hookers and see a car wobble around for a few seconds isn't that amazing.

bradc1988

5 years ago

Phil wrote

Wow, people are idiots. You really thought they wouldn't release the same version in New Zealand? I thought people were kidding when they said they were going to pre-order from NZ. Sigh.

They've done it before, so umm don't go around calling people idiots you ignorant twat.

Phil wrote

Rockstar haven't even said what is cut from the game, and everyone is in an outrage. Who cares? The ability to pick up hookers and see a car wobble around for a few seconds isn't that amazing.

Principle.

MikeZombie777

5 years ago

Hey guys, I just read this from the Whirlpool forums:

Quote

"Okay guys, I have some news for you regarding what was edited from the AU release. I just gave Take2 a call (a friggin expensive 1902 number!) and this is exactly what I was told:

"Well in regards to what Rockstar have removed for the Australian release, as far as we're aware there was only one sexually violent cut-scene which Rockstar felt would cause the game to be Refused Classification. Unfortunately we're not able to go into specifics until after the game has been released but I can tell you that the scene involves a weapon being inserted into an enemies private area during a mission where Niko is taking revenge after one of his close friends was forced into sexual intercourse during his stay in prison."

Seriously I thought he was joking ....I was like LOL you're joking right? He says "No. This is what Rockstar felt needed to be removed from the game for it's Australian release. We were recently given permission to release this information because as we understand, Rockstar originally made a press release stating that the game would be released uncut world wide. We felt it would be misleading not to release the information".

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=953296&p=28

Chopbusted

5 years ago

If that is all that was removed then I am glad I didn't freak out and cancel my AU PAL pre-order!

Let's hope we get some official word soon......

James

5 years ago

Phil wrote

Rockstar haven't even said what is cut from the game, and everyone is in an outrage. Who cares? The ability to pick up hookers and see a car wobble around for a few seconds isn't that amazing.

Don't be stupid Phil. As Brad says it's a matter of principal. No one wants to feel they're getting less content than other people, particularly when they're paying a premium price.

I don't believe that even you don't care. You're just justifying your choice to ignore that you're getting a crappy deal by putting down people who are making an issue out of it.

fatpizza

5 years ago

I've already preordered my PS3 copy from the uk for $100 including postage. Not as cheap as Play Asia but at least it's a pal version in which any Aussie DLC should work with.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

Sure we're paying a premium price, but why does no one go after the publishers, or even the consumer watchdog. They cannot justify a 106% after tax (today's dollar conversion) base increase of price on Australia shores due to shipping, printing or pressing costs.

evil_kenshin

5 years ago

nikack wrote

just cause it isn't justified doesn't mean they can't charge it unfortunately

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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

Read more...