Grand Theft Auto V: Target, Kmart pull game off shelves over sexual violence controversy

Updated

Target and Kmart have pulled video game Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) off shelves over controversy about the game's depiction of violence against women.

The R-rated game has been available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for more than a year but was re-released last month on Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

A Change.org petition calling on the retailer to withdraw the game from sale gained more than 44,000 signatures.

Inside the GTA sandbox Gus Ronald from the ABC's Good Game explains the Grand Theft Auto world.



The game has been out for over a year. This is a re-release. It's a richly satirical and very dark look at the underworld of a fictional city and therefore there are plenty of questionable choices that can be made in the game. However it is really up to the player themselves to make those decisions and up to, I should emphasise, the adult players of the game because the game itself has been rated R18+ so it is specifically for a mature audience as well.



The Grand Theft Auto series has a bit of a reputation, being set around the criminal underworld it is a violent game, however, with that comes a lot of humour. But on the grand scheme of things, like any other form of media out there, there are more extreme versions, less extreme versions, like film or literature, there are extremes on both ends.



It is a parody of a real world so therefore there is a punishment system, there are police and it really allows you to hold a mirror up to yourself and check your own moral compass because by all means you don't have to do any of these more horrific acts if you choose not to. It is a sand box game which means it's up to the player. The game has been out for over a year. This is a re-release. It's a richly satirical and very dark look at the underworld of a fictional city and therefore there are plenty of questionable choices that can be made in the game. However it is really up to the player themselves to make those decisions and up to, I should emphasise, the adult players of the game because the game itself has been rated R18+ so it is specifically for a mature audience as well.The Grand Theft Auto series has a bit of a reputation, being set around the criminal underworld it is a violent game, however, with that comes a lot of humour. But on the grand scheme of things, like any other form of media out there, there are more extreme versions, less extreme versions, like film or literature, there are extremes on both ends.It is a parody of a real world so therefore there is a punishment system, there are police and it really allows you to hold a mirror up to yourself and check your own moral compass because by all means you don't have to do any of these more horrific acts if you choose not to. It is a sand box game which means it's up to the player.

The women behind the petition, named on the site as Nicole, Claire and Kat, said as survivors of sexual violence they felt the game sent a dangerous message.

"It's a game that encourages players to murder women for entertainment. The incentive is to commit sexual violence against women, then abuse or kill them to proceed or get 'health' points – and now Target are stocking it and promoting it for your Xmas stocking," the petition said.

"This misogynistic GTA V literally makes a game of bashing, killing and horrific violence against women."

Target general manager of corporate affairs Jim Cooper said the decision to stop selling the game was made following extensive community and customer concern.

"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," Mr Cooper said in a statement.

"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 GTA V is in line with the majority view of our customers."

A Kmart spokesman said: "Following a significant review of all content in Grand Theft Auto Games, Kmart has taken the decision to remove this product immediately.

"Kmart apologises for not being closer to the content of this game."

The Australian Classification Board said it was a matter for individual retailers to determine which games they wished to stock and make available for consumers.

The board introduced the R 18+ category for computer games on January 1, 2013.

"This category was specifically introduced to ensure that high-impact content would be appropriately restricted to adults, and that minors would be protected from material that is not suitable for them," the board said in a statement.

Gamers criticise Target's response on social media

But fans of the GTA series have taken to social media to express their anger at the game being pulled from sale.

Many said the game was being unfairly targeted, and that claims that the game rewarded violent acts were incorrect.

Fans of the game said those who opposed violent video games did not have to buy it.

"All of you people saying thanks to Target are ignorant morons. Just because it is possible in the game to inflict violence [towards men and women], this is hardly the objective of the game," Derek Elphick wrote.

Matt Larkin added: "I'm disappointed that the game has been removed from your stores. It seems like it is an admission of guilt from your behalf when all you were doing is catering to your customers.

"I feel sorry for the people who will now miss out on this product from your store due to the ignorance of people in this country."

Target Australia's Facebook post announcing the withdrawal of the game received more than 1,800 comments after being posted at about 8:30pm on Wednesday.

It is not the first time the series has sparked controversy, drawing criticism worldwide for its depiction of graphic violence, criminal behaviour and sexual violence.

In September 2013 three Adelaide teens were arrested trying to replicate the game in real life when they robbed a service station while drunk.

On its release, GTA V set a sales record for entertainment products, passing the $1 billion sales mark after three days.

Topics: arts-and-entertainment, internet-culture, domestic-violence, sexual-offences, australia

First posted