Grand Theft Auto VI nearly failed to secure an age-rating clearance in South Korea due to frequent displays of male genitalia without sexual context.
Game Content Rating Board documents show the game required three reviews before earning an Adults Only classification. At the time of the review process, South Korean regulations previously led to automatic rejections for such content before rules were relaxed in 2025 to permit Adults Only ratings if content avoids explicit sexual acts.
Without this rating, the title could not be legally sold in the country. Ten international ratings boards had already approved mature classifications for the game, covering sensuality, violence, crime, drugs, and language, according to Gamebrott. Initially, sources indicated horror and gambling categories were also considered before being dropped from the final decision.
Three Reviews Required by Committee
The Game Content Rating Board split evenly during its first review on September 10, 2026. Three members voted for an Adults Only rating, while three others voted for an outright rejection, GamerWK reported.
During this initial assessment, the board had not yet received a playable build, and their evaluation was potentially influenced by leaked developer footage from Cyberleek depicting areas such as a nudist colony where people stood around normally rather than engaging in sexual acts. Committee members also questioned whether a rejection had strong enough legal grounds given it would block the game’s release.
The board delayed its decision and suggested publisher adjustments. A second review on October 2, 2026, followed receipt of a playable build on September 28, 2026, The Lazy Media reported.
The board observed that scenes featuring main characters Jason and Lucia did not display genitalia, and further checks did not find features allowing players to strip those characters fully nude as seen in leaked development videos. However, because of the massive world size, the board delayed again to examine the gameplay further.
Final Vote Secures Adult Rating
Nine committee members attended the final review on October 16, 2026. Eight voted to approve the Adults Only classification, while one vote remained against it. Gamebrott said that developer Rockstar Games’ exact adjustments to secure the rating remain undisclosed.
Why South Korea scrutinized Grand Theft Auto VI ratings
Why did South Korea almost reject Grand Theft Auto VI?
The ratings board scrutinized frequent appearances of male genitalia that occurred without explicit sexual context.
How many times did the board review the game?
The Game Content Rating Board conducted three separate reviews on September 10, October 2, and October 16, 2026.
What rating did the game ultimately receive?
The board issued an Adults Only classification after an 8-1 vote during the final October session.
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