Grand Theft Auto's Kiwi makeover

ROBERT KITCHIN/The Dominion Post

GAME OVER: Karori teenager Stacy O'Calldhaghan may be in trouble with police after modifying his Grand Theft Auto video game.

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One of the world's biggest-selling video games, Grand Theft Auto, is getting a Kiwi makeover, though police may yet put the skids under the unauthorised version.

Karori teenager Stacy O'Callaghan has adapted the shoot-`em-up American law and disorder urban adventure game to domestic conditions - complete with detailed images of modern New Zealand police cars and uniforms.

Police national headquarters spokesman Jon Neilson said its legal team was investigating whether the modified version - which lets armed vehicle thieves bash and kill police officers - breached regulations concerning the use of police insignia.

Unauthorised use of a police uniform is regarded as an offence under Section 51A of the Police Act, though it was unclear how this related to use in video games.

Since its 1997 launch, the official Grand Theft Auto series of games has sold more than 50 million units worldwide and raked in more than US$1 billion (NZ$1.26 billion). Version No 4 is due out this month.

But Stacy, 17, felt its presentation could still be improved. "I am not doing this in any way to make money or sell this modification; it was originally for me because I got sick of all this American rubbish and wanted it to be more realistic."

He has "re-textured" the livery and uniforms of police and other emergency services, and wants to eventually add recognisable New Zealand landmarks in place of a North American landscape. "We could use major landmarks like the Beehive, the Sky Tower or Cathedral Square."

His ambition does not stretch as far as trying to make a career out of game design - instead he wants to join the organisation which in the game frequently comes off second-best. "I'd like to join the police. I don't really see myself as a game designer, I want to get into computer forensics."

Mr Neilson said any legal questions over the use of police emblems would have to be cleared up first.

Last year, Stacy completed WelTec's certificate in interactive computing, and has won praise from enthusiasts viewing his posting on YouTube about the overhaul. "It's really just for fun and a chance to play it as if it was in New Zealand."