Two giant retail chains in Australia decided to stop selling the popular game "Grand Theft Auto V" in their stores. Kmart and Target, two of the leading retailers in Australia, pulled out their stock of "GTA 5" from all their branches after complaints about its content showing violence toward women became viral online.
According to reports, the retail chains came up with their decision to stop selling the action-packed open-world video game because of an online petition that has so far gathered over 46,000 signatures.
The petition, launched by three individuals who were victims of violence, states that "GTA V" is "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."
Reports claim that the main concern of the petitioners in the game is the disturbing image of dead women being bludgeoned by an axe. The criminal acts featured in the game are also being contested by the petitioners.
The petition also adds, "To see this violence that we lived through turned into a form of entertainment is sickening and causes us great pain and harm."
A Target representative said that Target's decision to ban the games in their stores had been thoroughly considered, and they consulted their customers about it.
"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," Target Corporate Affairs General Manager Jim Cooper said.
The company also received several feedback that are opposed to the banning of the game, but the majority of their customers want them to pull out the video games.
Meanwhile, Australian gamers have also launched a petition to reinstate the game in stores. Currently gathering over 20,000 signatures, a petition on Change.org wants Target and Kmart to bring back "GTA V" in its branches, and ban the Bible because it "encourages readers to murder woman for entertainment" by "commit(ting) sexual violence against women, then abuse or kill them to proceed or get 'god' points."
Rockstar's "Grand Theft Auto V" is considered as one of the most successful video game releases of all time, with over $800 million earnings during the first day of its release.
