GTA 5: Rockstar respond to game ban

ROCKSTAR have responded to the recent ban imposed by Target Australia on the newly re-released PS4 and Xbox One title, GTA 5.

GTA 5 AustraliaAP

GTA 5 billboard at Figueroa Hotel in Los Angeles

Target Australia is removing Grand Theft Auto V from store shelves after more than 40,000 people signed an online petition asking the retailer to stop selling the mature video game because they say it encourages players to murder women for entertainment.

Fellow retailer Kmart are also joining Target in pulling GTA 5 from sale in Australia, and apologised for selling it in the first place.

“Following a significant review of all content in Grand Theft Auto Games Kmart has taken the decision to remove this product immediately,” told Kotaku.

Rockstar Games' GTA V originally debuted in 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. A new edition for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One was released last month.

Strauss Zelnick, chairman and CEO of Rockstar Games' parent company, Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., says he's disappointed the Australian retailer decided to stop selling the game.

"We are disappointed that an Australian retailer has chosen no longer to sell Grand Theft Auto V - a title that has won extraordinary critical acclaim and has been enjoyed by tens of millions of consumers around the world," Zelnick said in a statement.

"Grand Theft Auto V explores mature themes and content similar to those found in many other popular and groundbreaking entertainment properties. Interactive entertainment is today's most compelling art form and shares the same creative freedom as books, television, and movies.

"I stand behind our products, the people who create them, and the consumers who play them."

Evan Lapiska, spokesman for Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Target Corp., notes Target Australia is not operated by the U.S. retail company. The game will continue to be sold in Target stores in North America.

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