Article
30 May 2008
Two Versions of Grand Theft Auto IV Classified as R18
The Office of Film and Literature Classification has classified two versions of the game Grand Theft Auto IV as R18. The edited version of the game has been classified as R18 contains violence and offensive language. The unedited version has been classified as R18 contains violence, offensive language and sex scenes. To read the full written decisions click the links below.
Grand Theft Auto IV (PDF, v7.0, 113kb)
Grand Theft Auto IV – Unedited version (PDF, v7.0, 127kb)
Please note that the content in these decisions may not be suitable for younger readers.
Background
Grand Theft Auto IV is the latest instalment in a series of popular free-roaming or open-ended games from the development company Rockstar Games. The game is plot-driven, broadly fitting into the action/drama genres with strong elements of satire. It tells the story of Nico Bellic, a fresh-off-the-boat Eastern European immigrant to Liberty City – modelled on the real New York City . Nico stays with his cousin Roman (a loser with dangerous levels of gambling debt), and begins to perform odd jobs to keep his head above water. Nico's motive in visiting Liberty City is to try and find the man responsible for betraying his friends.
Submission and classification of the edited version of the game
A version of Grand Theft Auto IV was submitted to the Office by the game’s distributor Take2 Interactive in February 2008. The game was classified using the criteria set out in the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 . On 27 February 2008 it was classified as R18 contains violence and offensive language. This classification was given because in order to proceed through the game Nico must commit criminal acts such as stealing, destroying property, and killing people. Outside of completing missions, the player has the freedom to explore the city as a realistic urban environment, committing acts of violence and engaging in criminal activity.
In its classification decision on the game, the Office noted that weighting ha d been given to the potential for the player's character to commit gratuitous acts of violence upon unsuspecting members of the public and the police, as well as acts of anti-social and illegal behaviour. It concluded that while adults are more able to put such content in context, there is a risk of children and young persons becoming desensitised or inured over the long term to this type of behaviour, and trivialising it through presenting it as amusing or exciting. This injury to the public good is avoided by restricting the game to persons aged 18 years and over .
Then, in March, Take 2 Interactive issued a press release that stated that the edited Australian version had been submitted to the New Zealand Office of Film and Literature Classification.
This information instigated numerous inquiries from New Zealand gamers concerned that they were not able to play the full version of the game. While individuals could import the unedited version from the UK or other parts of the world (provided that the unedited content did not make the game objectionable), it was unable to be sold in New Zealand without going through the classification process. Under the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 video games must carry a New Zealand classification before they are supplied to the public if they contain material that is likely to be restricted.
Submission and classification of the unedited version of the game
The unedited version of Grand Theft Auto IV was classified by the Office on 22 May as R18 contains violence, offensive language and sex scenes. The game is almost identical to the original, save for the inclusion of a small amount of sexual content removed by Rockstar Games from the Australian version. The unedited version was classified using the criteria set out in the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993. Again, the Office concluded that the content of the game was likely to disturb young people, while an adult audience would be able to put the material in the context of a sophisticated console game that pushes boundaries.
Classification decisions
The Office’s written decisions on Grand Theft Auto IV outline the classification process and the reasons for classifying each version of the game as R18. Click the links below to read the decisions.
Grand Theft Auto IV (PDF, v7.0, 113kb)
Grand Theft Auto IV – Unedited version (PDF, v7.0, 127kb)
Please note that the content in these decisions may not be suitable for younger readers.
Updated 30.05.2008