14 DAY TRIAL // The Australian Classification Board announces that Grand Theft Auto V, the open world game from developer Rockstar and publisher Take Two, is getting an R18+ rating in the country, which will allow it to be sold in local shops.
The GTA series has had problems getting approval from government entities in Australia because of the Hot Coffee mode for San Andreas, which allowed gamers to access a number of scenes that were not suitable for children.
The Australian Classification Board says that it has given an R18+ rating to GTA V because of the presence of drug use, but the game is also noted for its use of violence, strong language, and adult themes.
The new Rockstar project is benefiting directly from the introduction of a new rating level at the beginning of the year, which allows games with a high level of violence and strong language use to be launched in Australia.
GTA V is set to appear on September 17 all over the world on the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3.
The game takes players to a virtual representation of Southern California, called Los Santos, where they will inhabit the bodies of three characters who see their destinies intertwined.
Rockstar is promising a world that feels alive and which gives players the freedom to explore and engage in a wide array of activities.
An Online multiplayer mode is also planned and will be officially unveiled later in August.
The Australian Classification Board has recently refused to give a rating to Saints Row 4, which many see as a rival for GTA V, because of issues with its portrayal of drug use.
Developer Volition and publisher Deep Silver plan to reintroduce a different version of the game that will feature some changed content.
Saints Row 4 is set to launch across the world starting August 20.