Take-Two's chief executive Strauss Zelnick, publisher of "Grand Theft Auto 5," was displeased with the decision of some Australian retailers not to sell the game because of the strong feedback from consumers regarding the game's depiction of violence against women.
Target Australia and Kmart both pulled the latest "Grand Theft Auto 5" off the shelves following the concerns raised by consumers criticizing that women are unfairly portrayed in the game. The two retailers are owned by retail group Wesfarmers.
"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, as reported by GameSpot. "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."
Moreover, the CEO defended that "GTA 5" is a work of art and it will not be always pretty and people will have different opinions about it.
On the other hand, corporate affairs manager of Target Australia Jim Cooper said that the game has content that some consumers find offensive. "GTA 5" gained an R18 rating in Australia. Although in most cases retailers sell this to adults, consumers think that it is a product that should not be in the shelves of Target.
Customers took their concerns to Change.org set up by advocates against violence to women, and the petition has garnered more than 40,000 signatures.
"Please Target, we appeal to you as women survivors of violence, including women who experienced violence in the sex industry, to immediately withdraw Grand Theft Auto V from sale," the campaign reads.
Meanwhile, the sale ban is currently isolated in Australia. U.S. retailers still offer the game.
