Rockstar Updates “GTA 5” After Content Was Considered Transphobic
action-adventure classic Grand Theft Auto V has been subject to many changes. The original release was for the PlayStation 3 in 2013 and the Xbox 360 in 2013. It has been updated multiple times, including March’s re-release on the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
Grand Theft Auto V was generally well-received, but it caused a lot of controversies, mainly over its treatment of women and torture. After Carolyn Petit’s criticism of the game’s misogyny, Carolyn Petit received a flurry of negative comments. Target, a US retailer, pulled the game from its shelves. But Grand Theft Auto V‘s transphobic content was only discovered recently.
Twitter user Kirstycloud pointed out that Rockstar in new-gen Grand Theft Auto V had “disabled trans caricatures and ‘drag queens from spawning outside Cockatoos.” Additionally, dialogue options have been disabled, which used to allow characters to ask NPCs about their hormone use.
Reddit user Jayprospero also pointed out that it was an in-game arcade prop. The Captain Spacetoy figurine used to come with “interchangeable male genitalia.”
OutMakingGames, a UK-based group of LGBTQIA+ game professionals, published an Open Letter to Rockstar Games in September 2021. It asked that the studio reflects on the game’s portrayal of trans and gender diverse people. The game promoted “extremely harmful stereotypes”, which encouraged players to hate them and even relish killing them.
Rockstar has not commented on these changes. It’s still unknown if this update will eventually reach older Grand Theft Auto V versions.
