According to reports, Rockstar Games removed content from the next-gen version of GTA 5 and GTA Online. However, there has not yet been a statement from Rockstar.
What content did the developers remove? According to Reddit user u/JayProspero, one of the removed items was a ‘Captain Spacetoy’ action figure.
The action figure was seen as a joke at the expense of trans women, as Captain Spacetoy in this version wears a pink dress, high heels, and makeup, and features the inscription ‘interchangeable genitalia.’
An NPC spawn was also disabled: In addition to the action figure, Rockstar Games also removed NPCs that were referred to as ‘Drag Queens’ in the Director Mode of GTA 5. Those NPCs had voice lines that informed players they were taking hormones.
The NPCs marked as ‘Transvestites’ in the game files are still available in Director Mode, but their voice lines have already been removed by the developers. Furthermore, the spawn of these NPCs has been disabled on the open map in front of the ‘Cockatoos.’
What is the background? A British group of LGBTQ+ developers, “Out Making Games,” called on Rockstar in September 2021 to reconsider these contents in the re-release of GTA 5 as ‘Next-Gen Edition’ (via gamesindustrybiz).
The group referenced an article from Kotaku to make this request: It stated that in the new version from 2022, there was no place for ‘transphobia from 2013’ (via kotaku).
No statement from the developers
How does Rockstar Games respond? The developer studio behind Grand Theft Auto 5, Rockstar Games, has not yet commented on the removal of the transphobic content.
We at MeinMMO have requested a statement from Rockstar. Should Rockstar Games release a statement on the matter, we will update this article and inform you about further developments.
Rockstar Games’ popular game franchise Grand Theft Auto is known for its controversial humor and has faced criticism in the past for harsh depictions and parodied celebrities.
However, the recent introduction of a subscription model for GTA Online has caused discontent among the community, for which Rockstar Games has been criticized by players.
