Guide to Mortal Kombat in Australia

jarvis653

jarvis653

New member
The Australian MK community has been open about its outrage, as we've clearly taken a huge blow due to this banning. However, disputing it does not necessarily resolve our problem. It may help in regards to the push for an R18+ category, but we must realize that the addition of this category means an overhaul of the entire classification process. This will take a long time to implement, and will not help our immediate situation.

So what can we do to get our hands on the game, and access all its features?
This guide is for the sole purpose of bypassing the ban, and playing the game as it is intended. I'm aware that many fans are knowledgeable on the matter already, but please respect that not everyone is. The aim of this guide is a simple step-by-step to playing Mortal Kombat in Australia. I'd like the community's input on the following:

For PS3 & 360
1. What region to import from
2. Best stores to import from (reliability and pricing)
3. Playing online
4. Buying and accessing DLC

When enough information is posted, I will compile it and hopefully the thread will be stickied. With this guide, there will be no reason why Australian MK fans cannot enjoy the game as much as everyone else. With peace of mind, we can stop venting and instead have a more focused approached towards fixing our ratings system.
 
I have heard that the best stores to import from are
Play-Asia (here they are not region protected) - http://www.play-asia.com/Mortal_Kombat/paOS-13-71-bp-49-en-70-3x07.html
The Ozgameshop (it is not Australian despite the 'OZ' in the title) - http://www.ozgameshop.com/ps3-games/mortal-kombat-game-ps3
MightyApe (A New Zealand online game store that will deliver and import - http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/PS3/Mortal-Kombat/7275026/

Hope it helps a bit. Not too sure about all this myself so looking forward to more imput to make me stress less and actually BELIEVE that I will be able to Import and play the game.
 
ok guys ozgameshop wont be stocking mk they emailed me

play-asia and mighty ape do and are your best bet

also http://www.365games.co.uk/

you can order it from NZ or the UK for 360 and it will work as they are pal....to get around DLC you will need to make a non au xblive account....

for ps3, there is no region settings, it can play them all... For dlc you will need to make a non au psn and by your psn points from a country outside au...

and again...I will say....australia is a ****ing JOKE
 
spader said:
ok guys ozgameshop wont be stocking mk they emailed me

play-asia and mighty ape do and are your best bet

also http://www.365games.co.uk/

you can order it from NZ or the UK for 360 and it will work as they are pal....to get around DLC you will need to make a non au xblive account....

for ps3, there is no region settings, it can play them all... For dlc you will need to make a non au psn and by your psn points from a country outside au...

and again...I will say....australia is a ****ing JOKE
Click to expand...

Thanks, just wondering about a few things regarding non-AU PSN:

What do you think the chances are of MK being region coded for online? I've read this is a possibility as it can be implemented for server stability. Have you run into this issue with other games?
Also, since we'd be connected to an overseas server, would that mean we'd experience significant lag?
These points are important IMO as MK is a fighting game.
Lastly, how do we go about buying PSN points from another country?
 
1. The best region to import from is any PAL region. Doesnt matter for PS3, but Xbox 360 users need to import from Europe or Asia.
2. game.co.uk ships to Australia for 4.95 pounds. With that in mind, the total cost is 44.94 pounds, which converts to 71.23 Aussie dollars.
3. If online is regionally locked, get a european account on your system.
4. Same as #3
 
The best region to purchase from will have to be the PAL territories. NZ, UK etc. This is due to the chances of region locking for online play. But I doubt it though. IIRC, if you purchase the US version you can only play with the Americans(or their NTSC region) and Aussies who have also purchased MK from there.

I've decided to order from Amazon.com (US) because it's currently the only place that sells the KE&TE and ships to Australia. I have purchased games from PlayAsia before, and they are amazing. They usually have games from variety of regions. I recommend them if you are purchasing the stand-alone MK.

As stated before, I believe online play will be like Rock Band 2 where you can only play with the region you purchased from, and others that have also purchased from the same region.

Buying and accessing DLC will be a pain in the arse. You will need to make a PSN account with the same region as the disc. That's how it was with my Rock Band 2. I also had to purchase the US PSN voucher on eBay because their PSN doesn't allow you to use Australian cards.
 
Im SO lucky that my PS3 is from London anyway (where I use to live) So i have an account set up for UK, so I will have to buy UK PSN cards??? to purchase DLC. Is that right??? Cause I cant use my aussie account.
 
I plan to import the UK 360 version. How easy is it to create a euro account on the system? This will only be a DLC dummy account correct, I just use it to download DLC content and can then switch back to my main account to play the game?
 
Thanks for all the info so far guys, appreciated.
Just one thing, please direct all discussion about the ban here.
I'd like to keep this thread specifically about how to play MK in Australia, thank you :)
I should be able to make a full update to the guide soon.
 
It's great and all that we can import, but Customs will be the ultimate decider to determine whether it arrives to us or not.

I'm hoping that if Customs does indeed confiscate all imported copies of Mortal Kombat, that there would be people out there who are just willing to switch the packaging around. It's a great idea, we may have to sacrifice the boxart sleeve, but It beats not playing it.
 
MasterSys said:
It's great and all that we can import, but Customs will be the ultimate decider to determine whether it arrives to us or not.

I'm hoping that if Customs does indeed confiscate all imported copies of Mortal Kombat, that there would be people out there who are just willing to switch the packaging around. It's a great idea, we may have to sacrifice the boxart sleeve, but It beats not playing it.
Click to expand...

There wont be any problem importing this game to Australia. There are countless people who I know that have always imported BANNED games into Australia who have had no problem whatsoever. Including me. We'll be fine :) Maybe just wait a little bit after the release date to order though. Its what I always did and I was fine :)
 
In regards to whether the importing of "banned" games is allowed in Australia, the short answer is NO. But is it possible to obtain them? Yes.

Details:
a) Customs Regulations states -
"This regulation applies to publications and any other goods, that: in relation to a computer game -- are unsuitable for a person under 18 to see or play"
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_reg/cir1956432/s4a.html

b) Interview with the Australian Classification Board -
Kotaku AU: "Are games that have been refused classification considered a prohibited item and could be potentially seized by Australian Customs? Is Customs aware of which games have been refused classification? Is this information kept up-to-date and who is responsible for keeping Customs informed of RC titles?"

Classification Board: "The import of objectionable material into Australia is prohibited without permission under Regulation 4A of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956. The definition of objectionable material includes computer games that are unsuitable for a minor to see or play. This definition accords with the ‘Refused Classification’ criteria in the National Classification Scheme.
The Attorney-General’s Department is responsible for the National Classification Scheme and provides advice to Customs in relation to games have been refused classification.
Customs may detain or seize any items that are suspected of contravening the Regulations. The maximum penalty for this type of offence is a fine of up to $110,000."
http://www.kotaku.com.au/2008/08/australian_classification_board_speaks_on_games_r18_fallout_3/

This $110,000 fine is in relation to any items that are suspected of contravening the Regulations. Which doesn't indicate that a game warrants that kind of fine, simply that it is the maximum penalty for an item. From what I've read, the highest fine a person has received for importing a banned game is $1000. That may or may not be in regards to a repeated offense, with the first offense receiving only a warning.

c) Retailer Statement for Mortal Kombat -
"The Office of Film and Literature Classification have made a unanimous ruling to ban Mortal Kombat for sale or import into Australia, as it is a unanimous decision we’ve been told they are unable to lodge an appeal."

Some have interpreted this statement as the banning of import for sale in Australia, and further, specifically in regards to distributors. Which means an individual could import the game to own it, but not sell it. However, the Customs Regulations and ACB statement in (a) and (b) prove this interpretation to be wrong. It is not allowed for import for sale, or import for ownership. There is also the argument that an RC does not make a game banned; evidently, it does.

Is it possible to obtain the game?
Yes. The likeliness of a banned game being caught by customs is apparently low. It's logical in that there are prohibited items of much higher priority than games for customs to be on alert for. Having said that, due to Mortal Kombat being a highly anticipated game, it may be higher priority than other games. In any case, import at your own risk.
 
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Keep in mind that if importing from the UK, the release date has been extended to the 21st April instead of everywhere else which is 19th April.
 
I find it funny how importing the game from the UK (Game to be exact) would end up being cheaper than actually buying the game from Australia. What was the price of the standard edition in Aussie dollars?
 
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