OFLC
The Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) is a statutory censorship and classification body in Australia that is responsible for the classification of films, videos, publications, and video games. While the New Zealand body also has the same name, it is worth pointing out that both companies are completely separate entities and as such, ratings do differ between them.
Grand Theft Auto game ratings
The Australian OFLC has been quite harsh on the GTA series in comparison with other ratings boards. Grand Theft Auto 3 was originally restricted by the OFLC who gave it a rating of 'RC', but it later gained an MA 15+ rating meaning the game could be sold in the country. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas had it's MA 15+ rating revoked after the Hot Coffee incident, resulting in the game being banned. The 2nd edition re-release saw the game regain it's MA 15+ rating.
A rating of 'RC' denotes 'Refused Classification', where the game is effectively banned from being sold or demonstrated in the country.
The GTA series is rated as follows:
- Grand Theft Auto 1 - MA 15+
- Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 - MA 15+
- Grand Theft Auto 2 - MA 15+
- Grand Theft Auto III - MA 15+ (originally RC)
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - MA 15+
- Grand Theft Auto Advance - M
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - MA 15+ (later revoked due to Hot Coffee, 2nd edition given MA 15+)
- Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories - MA 15+
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories - MA 15+
See also
- BBFC, the British media rating system
- ESRB, the United States and Canadian computer and video game rating system
- PEGI, the European computer and video game rating system
- ELSPA, the former British computer and video game rating system, replaced by the PEGI ratings.
- USK, the German computer and video game rating system
- OFLC (NZ), the New Zealand media rating system
- CERO, the Japanese computer and video game rating system
External Links