Just about 10 years after its authentic free up, Rockstar has quietly got rid of a handful of characters and jokes from Grand Robbery Auto 5 that critics have described as destructive stereotypes of transgender other folks.
As first reported through Ars Technica, GTA group contributors have famous quite a lot of adjustments to the remastered model of GTA 5 to be had on PS5 and Xbox Collection X|S. They come with characters classified as “drag queens” now not spawning out of doors Cockatoos along with having discussion got rid of.
Over on Reddit, every other consumer famous {that a} Captain Spacetoy with “interchangeable genitalia” has been lower.
In new-gen GTAV/GTAO, Rockstar seem to have disabled the trans caricatures or “drag queens” from spawning out of doors Cockatoos. This might be following a plea from OutMakingGames final 12 months. I am hoping this offers convenience to any individual who felt those NPCs depicted destructive stereotypes 🏳️⚧️
— Kirsty Cloud (@kirstycloud) April 8, 2022
As group contributors have identified, the adjustments stick with an open letter from Out Making Video games asking Rockstar Video games to take away the content material, which used to be described as transphobic as far back as the original release in 2013. A follow-up article on Kotaku often known as for the elimination of the content material within the new-gen releases.
Within the wake of the adjustments, Out Making Video games mentioned it used to be “overjoyed” through the elimination of the content material.
IGN reached out to Rockstar for remark at the adjustments however have no longer gained a reaction.
Ultimate 12 months we wrote an open letter to @Rockstar, calling on them to take away transphobic content material from GTA 5’s subsequent gen free up. We’re overjoyed to mention that they have got. Thanks to everybody at Rockstar who prioritized this factor. https://t.co/JnPtufcBZq
— OutMakingGames (@OutMakingGames) April 18, 2022
This isn’t the primary time that Rockstar has opted to take away debatable content material. The Confederate Flag was removed from sure places in Grand Robbery Auto 5 again in 2015, the place it used to be changed with the American flag.
GTA 5 launched on PS5 and Xbox Collection X|S in March, bringing with it considerably enhanced load instances and different improvements. Rockstar also quietly announced GTA 6, with extra to be printed at a later date.
Kat Bailey is a Senior Information Editor at IGN in addition to co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Ship her a DM at @the_katbot.