UPDATE: It’s also being reported by Gizmodo that Kmart are now pulling GTA V from shelves. A number of stores have already started doing so.
After a well-publicised consumer backlash, Target Australia have decided that it’s in their best interest to remove Grand Theft Auto 5 from shelves permanently. Whilst it’s unclear why Target were the only ones being targeted by parenting groups around Australia, it’s evident that they have given in to peer-pressure. Target say that they will go on to stock R18+ games in the future. You can find the full statement below.
Target General Manager Corporate Affairs Jim Cooper said the decision was made following extensive community and customer concern about the game.
“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,” Mr Cooper said.
“We’ve also had customer feedback in support of us selling the game, and we respect their perspective on the issue.
“However, we feel the decision to stop selling GTA5 is in line with the majority view of our customers.” Mr Cooper said Target would continue to sell other R-rated DVDs and games.
“While these products often contain imagery that some customers find offensive, in the vast majority of cases, we believe they are appropriate products for us to sell to adult customers.
“However, in the case of GTA5, we have listened to the strong feedback from customers that this is not a product they want us to sell.”
View Comments
Why I really don't understand why parents can't be fucking responsible for their kids and why consumer stores have to be a nanny for their kids.
pull your head out of your fucking ass and monitor what the fuck your
kids are doing (MY copy paste im putting everywhere)
https://www.change.org/p/target-continue-to-sell-grand-theft-auto-5-in-australia
Get them back
Doubt it too, but if Target can go back on their word with a petition surely this will at least make them reconsider
Won't do anything
good for them - Australia still have other games retailers & as a family store target had every right not to sell the game!
Kmart now following Target! “: UPDATE: Target Australia Remove GTA V From Shelves - http://t.co/LlLj1IFXaN
Kmart too apparently.
I'm a parent myself and I have to say this is stupid. First of all the game is rated R18+ which means its for adults. So how about instead of trying to piss every gamer in Australia off just don't buy it for your kids, that seems like a good idea huh?. And Target, shame on you for folding faster then a lawn chair because a good rebuttal would have been " Hey this game is rated R18+ so it is clearly stated its not for kids". Really it's like buying your 12 year old kid a porn movie then complaining because it has too much graphic sex in it. Would you buy a 12 year old kid porn? No because its not for children duh. Same with games rated R18. It's not Targets fault you parents let your kids play R rated games, it's your fault, so how about you stop complaining about everything and do your job as a parent and don't buy it for them, and don't let them play it. Oh and don't give me this crap "But they will play it somewhere else." Yeah they probably will, just like when you were young you did things your parents didn't want you to do but guess what its a part of life. And when they get into there teens they will find a way to watch porn and to put smokes and alcohol in their bodies too. Oh no what will you do about that? try to ban everything till were living in a brady bunch world?. Get over it and don't buy your kids what you don't want them to see or better yet teach them what's right and wrong because in the end they will leave home and do whatever the hell they want.
bet they stock shades of grey in the book section.
The entire thing irritates me. The basis of the petition was devoid of fact. They made up stories about serialised violence and graphic sex being in the game, and the game encouraging and rewarding the player for killing prostitutes. This is absolutely untrue, but then a bunch of ignorant social crusaders jumped on board. Thanks.
ICYMI: Target show the spine of a jelly and cave to noisy minority. Extra hypocrisy points for not pulling other R-Rated stuff
This really is sad. The game is R18 for crying out loud! I'm glad that @EBGamesAus don't do this crap!