In response to GTA V, the British LGBTQ+ advocacy group Out Making Games has sent an open letter to Rockstar. All major gaming portals have published the contents of the letter.

The Grand Theft Auto series has always been surrounded by controversy and has been the focus of much criticism for its acidic view of American society and its depiction of street crime dramas. But the franchise has become part of popular culture and is one of the best-selling games in history.

This has prompted some media analysts and associations to question the impact its content can have on society and the extent to which Rockstar can contribute to eradicating harmful stereotypes that hurt many people. On this occasion, GamesIndustry has repeated an open letter sent to Rockstar by Out Making Games, asking the studio to take advantage of the PS5 and Xbox X Series X|S re-release and remove transphobic elements from their games.

Out Making Games is a UK-based organisation of LGBTQ+ rights developers. Their letter was supported by Kotaku’s article, which explored this very possibility, raising the possibility that elements Rockstar included in the 2013 game contribute to perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

The letter, referring to a text by Carolyn Petit, argues that the deliberate inclusion of trans and gender diversity stereotypes encourages players to dislike them and even take pleasure in abusing and killing them. Out Making Games cited Rockstar’s social responsibility for the cultural impact of GTA V worldwide. In her article, Carolyn Petit raises the possibility of changing the transphobic parts of the game and giving the player a critical context for the work.

The native next-gen version of GTA V will arrive on PS5, and Xbox X Series X|S in March 2022, following a delay announced at the recent PlayStation Showcase, with a trailer (video above); the public heavily criticised that, by the way.

Source: Games Industry