GTA 6 could be banned in Australia

One of the most anticipated video games of all time, GTA 6, could be banned in Australia after the country denied classification for the upcoming game “Halloween: The Game” due to the presence of a controlled substance. While the case has no direct connection to the Rockstar title, there are fears among fans that the strict rules of Australian regulators could pose a problem for GTA 6 as well.

Halloween: The Game was not licensed for sale in Australia and New Zealand due to the controlled substance used as a medical item in the game. This has particularly caught the attention of the GTA community, as the sixth installment is expected to feature a range of content that could be controversial in more restrictive markets. Based on the rating received by GTA 5, blood and brutal violence, foul language, nudity, explicit sexual content, as well as depictions of drugs and alcohol are expected.

However, this does not mean that GTA 6 will automatically be banned. Rockstar could adapt certain elements of the game for Australia and New Zealand, for example by changing the names of certain substances or changing the content. Similar interventions have been used in the past with other games to meet local regulations.

It's also important to note that GTA 5 has not been banned in Australia, although the country's classification system is stricter today than it was when the game was released in the early 2010s. Certain content in GTA Online, particularly that related to casinos and gambling, has been subject to restrictions.

One Reddit user wondered if the new rules could also affect Rockstar's game, commenting that he hoped not, but that such a scenario was possible.

Other players believe that GTA 6, as one of the biggest releases in gaming history, will likely receive the highest rating for adults, as was the case with GTA 5, and thus avoid a complete ban. The final decision should be known ahead of the game's release, which is scheduled for November 19th.