According to
IGN Australia, the
Australian Classification Board, the equivalent of the
ESRB in the
United States, will decide to
refuse classification for
Mortal Kombat (2011). One of
IGN's sources stated they received an e-mail stating that the game will "not be released in Australia. The e-mail added that the decision might be overturned in the future, but these steps were currently necessary."
Update: 9:40pm CST: IGN just updated their story with an official statement from Warner Bros. which we've included below.
The highly anticipated video game Mortal Kombat, published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) in Australia, has been refused classification by the Australian Classification Board and will not release in Australia. We are extremely disappointed that Mortal Kombat, one of the world's oldest and most successful video games franchises, will not be available to mature Australian gamers.
WBIE would not market mature content where it is not appropriate for the audience. We understand that not all content is for every audience, but there is an audience for mature gaming content and it would make more sense to have the R18+ classification in Australia. As a member of the iGEA, WBIE is reviewing all options available at this time.
Looks like Australian fans may have to resort to importing the game unless something changes.
Update 10:40pm CST:
Kotaku Australia got a hold of their hands on the
classification report for Mortal Kombat that has some major spoilers of Fatalities in it. We included part of it here, which states there can be up to four Fatalties per character to be unlocked. Read the rest at your own risk.
Initially, the Move List Within the game includes one finishing move per character, although a player is able to unlock up to four per character. The Board notes that fatalities cannot be performed in Story mode and are unlikely to be performed frequently during gameplay; however, it is also noted that there are more than 60 fatalities available and they are an important component of the game.
We also got our own order cancellation from
jbhifionline.com.au as we had ordered some Kollectors Editions from Australia. They seem to think there is no way for Warner Bros to appeal this, so hopefully this controversy will cause Australia to consider implementing the R18+ classification.
Thanks for pre-ordering Mortal Kombat. We’ve just been given some disappointing news from the distributor. 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. Unfortunately we will be cancelling your pre orders. We will keep your emails on file in case a modified version becomes available so we can notify you.
Update 11:12pm: We found a quote from Ron Curry, CEO of the
Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (iGEA) that the WB Press Release had stated. It's a good read about the problem at hand.
The granting of another RC to a video game clearly designed and targeted at ADULTS again highlights the shortcomings of the current classification scheme. In particular, the absence of an adult classification.
As with many other forms of media, there is a demand and place for an adult themed narrative. We trust adults with this material in other media forms, yet deny them similar access simply because it’s a ‘game’. We would not accept the argument that because it’s “unsuitable for a minor to see or play” that it should therefore be banned in any other media form, so why video games?
When a highly anticipated game receives an RC we can expect two things to happen; interest in obtaining the game will actually increase and people will still get the game either through importing (ordering online) or pirating; the latter an encouragement to commit a crime in order to perpetuate the crime of accessing illegal content. Ironically, the game is then widely available in Australia without any identifiable classification markings. How is this informing parents and protecting children?
It is the industry position that an adult classification sends a clear message to the public that the content is not suitable for minors and is the most effective means of guiding access to mature content. Refusing classification of titles that meet adult rating criteria in every other Western country in our digital age is ineffective and naïve.
It is also important to highlight that content that exceeds the guidelines of an R18+ classification, should it be introduced, would still be refused classification and banned in Australia.
Update March 1st: It appears that
WB Australia is
appealing the ruling, and is doing so with the same version of the game with no censorship changes made.
"After careful consideration Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Australia have decided to appeal to the Australian Classification Review Board against the RC (Refused Classification) decision given to Mortal Kombat. After reviewing both the game play and the Board's original decision WBIE Australia believe the violence in the game is on par with numerous other titles readily available for sale in the Australian market. As such the company wants to exhaust all options to make the game available to Mortal Kombat fans in this country. An identical version of the game will be submitted for appeal."
Considering that the upcoming Wii sex party game
Wii Dare got a PG rating the fact that MK got a RC is looking more and more silly.
That picture sums it up perfectly.
I'm sure TotalMK will be posting a furious rant on YouTube soon lol. Maybe NRS will tone down the violence and make it acceptable to those idiots, but of course this game would suck without it. Importing will be the only option.
:reddy:
:shot:
