The Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification has stripped
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas of its official classification, ensuring that the game cannot be sold in stores. The move follows an
investigation into the “Hot Coffee” mod by the Australian Attorney-General.
"Revocation of a classification means the computer game cannot be legally sold, hired, advertised or exhibited in Australia from the date the decision is made," a statement said.
"Businesses that sell or hire computer games should remove existing stocks of this game from their shelves immediately," said Des Clark, director of the government-funded classification board.
Previously, the game was originally given a MA15+ rating, the highest possible classification under the Australian game rating system, meaning it could be sold only to people aged over age 15, with a warning that it contained "medium level animated violence and medium level coarse language."
"Parents are strongly advised to exercise caution in allowing children continued access to the game," said Clark, following the decision.
Australia has one of the strictest histories of video game censorship in the Western world, outside of Germany, having previously banned titles including
Carmageddon, Manhunt and
NARC.
