It looks like Rockstar Games has quietly removed some controversial content from GTA 5 PS5 and Xbox Series X versions. The content in question includes several transphobic jokes and stereotypes that LGBTQ+ game professionals group OutMakingGames had previously called on Rockstar Games to remove via an open letter. The changes were spotted by Reddit user JayProspero and Twitter user Kirsty Cloud.
Which content has been removed from GTA 5 PS5 version?
It’s unclear the extent to which Rockstar Games has made the aforementioned changes but, so far, players have spotted the removal of a toy in an arcade and some trans caricatures outside Cockatoos.
The models still exist in Director Mode at the moment, but their dialogue options have been removed (presumably this means protagonist dialogue lines to these NPCs about using hormones etc are therefore unused now too).
PC vs PS5. Thanks @SpiderVice for the PC screens. pic.twitter.com/rjkKkMfBtG
— Kirsty Cloud (@kirstycloud) April 8, 2022
Also found by JayProspero on Reddit, a texture/prop (in the arcade?) has been removed concerning a Captain Spacetoy figure that had “interchangeable genitalia”.
Not sure if there’s anything else yet as dataminers are unable to compare files until it’s out on PC pic.twitter.com/nMjOdABESC
— Kirsty Cloud (@kirstycloud) April 8, 2022
To clarify, I specified “drag queen” as that’s the name of the model in the game, and in the PC files they’re labelled as “transvestite”. Didn’t intend to conflate them all into the same thing
— Kirsty Cloud (@kirstycloud) April 8, 2022
OutMakingGames had pleaded with the developer to reconsider harmful stereotypes in the updated versions of the game. “Given the cultural impact GTA V has around the world, Rockstar has a social responsibility to your players (many of whom may be LGBTQ+), to your staff and to the world at large to not promote violence against trans and gender diverse people,” the group wrote. Rockstar Games did not respond to the letter but it evidently took the feedback on board.
In other news, Far Cry 3 and Child of Light director Patrick Plourde has left Ubisoft after 19 years, and Massive Entertainment’s Star Wars game might be cross-gen.
[Source: ResetEra]
