So what would you say if I told you that you could get a copy of Grand Theft Auto Four, only it would be extensively edited for content and it would cost twice as much as a normal version?

Chances are what you’d say can’t be repeated on network television, but the problem is, this is no cheesy X-Play sketch. This is reality for the poor folks in Australia. But wait until you hear what they’re doing about it!

First, some background. Rockstar, in a move to ensure that Grand Theft Auto IV would land a MA15+ rating in Australia, cut large segments out of its upcoming title. The price hike isn’t so clearly explained–Aussies suggest that the price is due to monopolies controlling the Aussie media market, but no clue for sure.

It’s what they’re doing about it that’ll amaze you–in a move that flouts Australian law, and shows us that there’s actually some value in globalization for a change, Aussies have cancelled their preorders in record numbers with their local game shops and have instead placed orders for import titles!

It’s hard to believe that the Australian government doesn’t realize how asinine this is, offering its people the choice of buying a watered-down game at extortionate prices or telling the whole system where they can stick their MA15+ and ordering it–illegally– from countries that actually value things like freedom of expression.

Which is just spectacular, really. The Australian government has basically just forced its people to commit crimes just to play a video game without the disadvantage of censorship and massively overinflated prices. Do you LIKE being in the same category as Brazil and China? Is this a fraternity of nations that you prefer being in? I’d be enraged if I weren’t so damn MYSTIFIED by the whole thing.

But one thing is perfectly clear–a few more games like this and something big’s going to change and in short order. In a time of global economic slowdown, it’s not a good idea to deny yourself the revenues a game release like this one would provide.

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Categories: Video games //