Damon Mcknight
Grand Theft Auto, the popular video game franchise, has faced scrutiny and controversy in Australia due to its violent content and depiction of women. In 2014, two major Australian retail chains, Target and Kmart, removed Grand Theft Auto V from their shelves following customer complaints and an online petition highlighting the game's graphic sexual violence against women. This decision sparked a debate among fans of the game, with some accusing the stores of censorship and starting their own petitions for its reinstatement. Despite the controversy, Grand Theft Auto V achieved significant commercial success and critical acclaim, winning three awards at the video game BAFTAs. The game's popularity and impact have led to ongoing discussions about the appropriateness of its content and its potential influence on players, particularly regarding the depiction of violence and women.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Game | Grand Theft Auto 5 |
| Country | Australia |
| Retailers | Kmart, Target |
| Reason | Violence against women |
| Petition signatures | 40,000-46,000 |
| Year | 2014 |
| Classification | R18+ |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Grand Theft Auto V banned in Australian stores
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) was banned in Australian stores back in 2014. Two major Australian retail chains, Kmart and Target, pulled the game from their shelves. The decision came after an online petition criticising the graphic violence and sexual violence against women depicted in the game garnered over 46,000 signatures. The petition, started by three female survivors of violence, argued that the game "encourages players to murder women for entertainment" and that "the incentive is to commit sexual violence against women, then abuse or kill them to proceed or get 'health' points".
Target Australia, which has 300 stores across the country, posted on its Facebook page that it was withdrawing the game, sparking thousands of comments, many of them criticising the decision. In a press release, Target Australia's general manager of corporate affairs, Jim Cooper, explained that the decision was made in response to customer feedback:
> "We’ve been speaking to many customers over recent days about the game, and there is a significant level of concern about the game’s content... We’ve also had customer feedback in support of us selling the game, and we respect their perspective on the issue. However, we feel the decision to stop selling GTA5 is in line with the majority view of our customers."
Target Australia also stated that it would not withdraw other games or movies with the same R18+ rating, defending its policy of selling violent games. However, they felt that the decision to ban GTA V was justified due to the specific concerns raised about violence against women. While some fans of the game accused the stores of censorship, others recognised the importance of taking a stand against the depiction of violence towards women and supported the retailers' decision.
It is important to note that while GTA V was banned from these two major Australian retail chains, it was not completely banned in Australia. The game was still available through other retailers and online platforms. Additionally, since the initial ban in 2014, there have been no recent reports of GTA V being banned in Australian stores. The game continues to be available for purchase in Australia, although it carries an R18+ rating, restricting its sale to adults over 18.
Exploring Australia's Poverty Rate: Facts and Figures
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Grand Theft Auto - 25th Anniversary Special Edition [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81azs6+sLeL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Target and Kmart pull the game
In 2014, two Australian retail chains, Target and Kmart, removed the video game Grand Theft Auto V from their shelves. The decision to ban the game came after a petition launched by three female survivors of violence garnered over 40,000 signatures. The petition highlighted the game's depiction of violence towards women, including torture and the portrayal of women as strippers and prostitutes.
Target Australia's general manager of corporate affairs, Jim Cooper, explained that the decision was made in response to significant customer concern about the game's content, specifically mentioning violence against women. He added that while they respected customers who supported the sale of the game, the majority view favoured removing it from their shelves.
Target Australia's Facebook page announcing the withdrawal received thousands of comments, with many criticising the decision. Some fans of the game accused the stores of censorship, and a counter-petition to reinstate the game received around 7,500 signatures.
Despite the controversy, Grand Theft Auto V has achieved critical acclaim and broke sales records, becoming the fastest-selling entertainment product in history at the time. The game was given an R18+ rating in Australia, restricting its sale to adults over 18. Target Australia clarified that they would continue to sell other games and movies with similar ratings, believing they are appropriate products for adult customers.
While Grand Theft Auto V faced bans from specific retailers in Australia, it is important to note that the game was not officially banned in the country on a wider scale. The decision to remove the game from Target and Kmart shelves reflected the retailers' response to customer feedback and concerns about its content.
Armed Rebellion: Australia's Government Overthrown?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Grand Theft Auto V: Great White Shark Cash Card - Xbox One [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71m9uwnNbCL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Customer complaints about violence against women
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) is an ultra-violent video game that has been criticised for its depiction of violence against women. In 2014, two Australian retail chains, Target and Kmart, removed the game from their shelves following customer complaints. The decision came after a petition launched by three female survivors of violence garnered over 40,000 signatures.
The petition argued that the game encouraged players to murder, abuse, and commit sexual violence against women for entertainment. It also criticised the game for awarding players "health points" for engaging in such acts. Target Australia's general manager of corporate affairs, Jim Cooper, acknowledged the decision was in response to customer feedback:
> We’ve been speaking to many customers over recent days about the game, and there is a significant level of concern about the game’s content. We feel the decision to stop selling GTA5 is in line with the majority view of our customers.
While some customers supported the retailers' decision, others accused them of censorship. Additionally, some argued that female characters barely figured in the game's narrative. Despite the controversy, GTA V became the fastest-selling entertainment product in history, surpassing $1 billion in sales within the first three days of its release.
The controversy surrounding GTA V highlights the ongoing debate surrounding violence in video games and the impact of such content on players. While some argue that violent video games can desensitize players to real-world violence, others defend their artistic value and the importance of player agency in interactive media. Nonetheless, the decision by Australian retailers to remove GTA V from their shelves underscores the power of customer complaints and the potential for collective action to influence corporate policies.
Australia's Recession Resistance: 2008 Strategies
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Grand Theft Auto's MA15+ rating in Australia
Grand Theft Auto VI has been rated MA15+ by the Australian Classification Board. This rating is surprising to some, who consider the game to have strong coarse language and violence. The rating suggests that the game's language and violence are not deemed adequate for an MA15+ rating, but rather that it falls under the moderate category.
In Australia, the ratings system works as follows: G for very mild content, PG for mild content, M for moderate content, MA15+ for strong content, and R18+ for high-impact content. While the Grand Theft Auto series has been known for its controversial content, the majority of the games have initially received an MA15+ rating in Australia.
Grand Theft Auto V, for example, was originally rated MA15+, but this was later changed to R18+ due to its depiction of drug use. The game was also banned by two major Australian retailers, Kmart and Target, due to concerns about graphic sexual violence against women. This ban was in response to a petition that gained over 40,000 signatures.
Grand Theft Auto VI's MA15+ rating may be a placeholder or a provisional rating, as some have speculated that the final rating will be higher. The game's official rating will be determined upon its release and evaluation by the Australian Classification Board.
Converting 5000 Euros: How Many Australian Dollars?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Rockstar Games' game banned before release
Rockstar Games is a video game publisher that has gained a reputation for developing and publishing controversial games. The company's Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise, in particular, has attracted criticism for its violent and sexual content.
In Australia, GTA 5 was banned by two major retailers, Kmart and Target, in 2014. The game was criticised for its depiction of violence towards women, including torture and the portrayal of women as strippers and prostitutes. An online petition urging Target to withdraw the game garnered over 40,000 signatures, with three female survivors of violence behind the petition. The game was also banned in Australia by the retailer EB Games in 2018.
GTA III was banned in Germany upon its release but was later made available in 2012 with significant changes. These included the removal of all blood effects and the inability to hurt defenceless NPCs. Max Payne 3 underwent similar changes for the German market.
In 2019, Rockstar Games introduced casinos to GTA Online, allowing players to bet on horses, play table games, and engage in other gambling activities. This update led to the game being banned in over 50 countries, including Thailand, Venezuela, Pakistan, and South Africa.
Rockstar's 2003 stealth game Manhunt was also banned in several countries due to its graphic violence. The game puts players in the role of a death row inmate forced to kill other inmates on camera. Despite receiving positive reviews from critics, it was heavily criticised for its violent content and implicated in a UK murder, although this accusation was later rejected by police and courts. Manhunt 2 was banned in New Zealand in 2003, with possession of the game deemed an offence.
Australian Dollars to Pounds: How Much is it Worth?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Grand Theft Auto V was banned by two major Australian retailers, Kmart and Target, in 2014 due to graphic sexual violence against women depicted in the game. However, the game was not banned in Australia as a whole.
The game was pulled from the shelves after an online petition gained over 46,000 signatures. The petition was started by three female survivors of violence and highlighted the game's encouragement of "players to murder women for entertainment".
The decision sparked mixed reactions. Some customers criticised the ban, accusing the stores of censorship. Meanwhile, others supported the move, expressing concern over the game's violent and offensive content.
Yes, the first release of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was banned in Australia due to a sex scene. However, it was quickly re-released without the scene, and no other GTA games have been banned since.
Yes, in 2019, a Rockstar game that had not yet been revealed to the public was banned by the Australian Classification Board.
![Banned From Television III Uncensored! [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51RR6aPgS8L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
