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.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
Originally Posted by : RicochetmattIt makes me embarrassed, honestly. I never anticipated this, and I can't believe it actually happened to us. I'm nothing less than infuriated.
Wow, how asinine. What is wrong with those people?
Originally Posted by : NethervestigeMove on over to Connecticut. We're... quite friendly.... here.
This is UNACCEPTABLE!! Screw this ****ing country and its backward ass Government!! That's it. I'm moving!!
Originally Posted by : RicochetmattRepresent! Edit: Sorry for the off topic double post.
Move on over to Connecticut. We're... quite friendly.... here.
Originally Posted by : valerievanityWhat was it? It's no longer there?
Holy crap! Look what I found! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220744969889&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123#ht_500wt_1156
Originally Posted by : Patrick McCarronI'm not going to lie, the first fatality they describe sounds awesome.
Kotaku got the report that has some major spoilers of Fatalities, etc. http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/02/why-mortal-kombat-was-refused-classification/
Originally Posted by : spaderMost ironic post EVER. I'm glad I'm not in Australia.
Australia is an absouloyte backeard ****ing joke...I live here, trust me....I know...its like 100 yearbs behind the rest of the world, and all the stereo types are true....9/10 people here are just fat lazy alcho's with no brains or culture....**** im so pissed off you knnow aust gamers if importaning this game, we will have access to NO DLC! NOW! also shoakhans fatalitie...lol...ANOTHER TORSO RIP!>!>>!
Originally Posted by : spader100 years behind the rest of the world? Do you live in NT or something? I call BS on you even living in Australia. And my guess is you're drunk.
Australia is an absouloyte backeard ****ing joke...I live here, trust me....I know...its like 100 yearbs behind the rest of the world, and all the stereo types are true....9/10 people here are just fat lazy alcho's with no brains or culture....**** im so pissed off you knnow aust gamers if importaning this game, we will have access to NO DLC! NOW! also shoakhans fatalitie...lol...ANOTHER TORSO RIP!>!>>!
Originally Posted by : Patrick McCarronHe's spot on. Thanks for that Patrick.
Added a quote from the CEO of IGEA on the matter in the first post.
Originally Posted by : jarvis653NT is Nothern Territory right? :D I'm from the US (Florida), but I know my geography lol. Yeah, that statement from Spader is really rude and certainly not true. Aussie people are very friendly!
100 years behind the rest of the world? Do you live in NT or something? I call BS on you even living in Australia. And my guess is you're drunk.
Originally Posted by : spartan21NO NO NO NO just let them import it why shud every1 else have to suffer.....
This really sucks for Australia MK fans!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.
Originally Posted by : RicochetmattSo can I stay at yours then? Pajama party! :D
Move on over to Connecticut. We're... quite friendly.... here.
Originally Posted by : jarvis653They can't fight the shit forever and the retailers could simply ship it in a nondescript package and they'd never know.
"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." Correct me if I'm wrong, but to me that spells doom for ever acquiring and playing MK legitimately in Australia.
Originally Posted by : jarvis653I'm not too sure they can do this. I think it would be the first if it's true. Many games have been RC here but unrestricted for import.
"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." Correct me if I'm wrong, but to me that spells doom for ever acquiring and playing MK legitimately in Australia.
Originally Posted by : EksNo man, the whole issue is simply that we don't have an R18+ rating for video games. We have one for all other entertainment mediums, but our video games rating only goes up to MA15+. So any video game deemed unsuitable to fit the MA15+ rating is just banned, instead of receiving an R18+ like a movie would for instance. It's not even the rating board's fault, they simply work according to this outdated law we have. It's up to our government to change the ratings associated with video games to allow an R18+ category.
How does pron in Australia work? Is it banned, too?
Originally Posted by : spaderIt's true our entertainment industry is lacking, but I've had success in design and even music, so you're wrong in regards to being unable to have a job in the arts. If my only option was to be a tradie then I definitely wouldn't live here. I don't know how bleak Perth is for you, but there is opportunity in Sydney and Melbourne. I'm not saying it's easy, on the contrary, it's difficult. But then anything worthwhile is. Anyway, I don't want to steer this thread off track, so I'll leave it at that.
yeha so in other words australia is just a backwars hick town.... it is dude, just face it hahah, its silly they cant do any thin note worthy of quality, our tv shows suck,our movies suck, any good actor we have moves to usa any way hahahaha , so they can succeed, or else they end up being on home an away or neighbous for 40 years and if lucky they will end up in that under belly shit lol , there is nothing here and its sad, you cant get jobs or carreers in gaming, music, arts , any thing out side the norm unless you wanna be a miner or a "tradie" you really have no options hahahahah
Originally Posted by : jarvis653They can't actually ban video games here. The ESRB (and MPAA) is rating board, but following it is completely voluntary. The biggest hurtle for game makers is that none of the big-time retailers will sell a game with an AO rating, and this means that AO rated games won't get the exposure to garner a lot of sales.
No man, the whole issue is simply that we don't have an R18+ rating for video games. We have one for all other entertainment mediums, but our video games rating only goes up to MA15+. So any video game deemed unsuitable to fit the MA15+ rating is just banned, instead of receiving an R18+ like a movie would for instance. It's not even the rating board's fault, they simply work according to this outdated law we have. It's up to our government to change the ratings associated with video games to allow an R18+ category.
Originally Posted by : mkgod1990we have tried to get R18+ games multiple times, it just never happens seems kinda pointless to protest it since no one listens anyways
They should Protest against this
Originally Posted by : Tim StaticEpic Win! I liked this video, but holy shit some people on youtube are ignorant and are dicks. They should be wiped off the face of this earth.
NSFW FYI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_srdMt79Kw4&hd=1
Originally Posted by : EtryusI actually think chances are good that the situation will be resolved eventually. If this game is making the impact that we believe it is, then there will be a huge push for it to overcome this problem. While I'm trying to remain optimistic, I'm not going to lie, I've lost all interest regarding the game's content for now. My only concern is simply being able to play it. Until I know how I'm going to get my hands on it, whether it'll be possible to import it, and what the limitations of playing that imported version will be, I don't see myself actively discussing anything else here. PS: An interesting idea - I don't know whether this would be feasible, but a compromise would be for WB to release a censored version of the game here for now. I'm confident that the Australian government will add an R18+ category for games later this year, and once that is in place, perhaps a patch could be released for us that enables the full version of the game. So we can still at least play MK while we wait for the ratings problem to be resolved, at which time we are able to download the necessary patch that changes our modified version into the uncensored game. But then it's essentially changing it from an MA15+ to an R18+ game. Although a Terms & Conditions agreement upon request for download could possibly resolve that dilemma.
Sorry to hear that guys, I hope you manage to bypass this problem somehow...
Originally Posted by : jarvis653i know exacly what you mean, i no longer care about looking up this game(apart from to know if the ban stays or we can somehow get it) its hard to care about a game you cant play
I actually think chances are good that the situation will be resolved eventually. If this game is making the impact that we believe it is, then there will be a huge push for it to overcome this problem. While I'm trying to remain optimistic, I'm not going to lie, I've lost all interest regarding the game's content for now. My only concern is simply being able to play it. Until I know how I'm going to get my hands on it, whether it'll be possible to import it, and what the limitations of playing that imported version will be, I don't see myself actively discussing anything else here.
Originally Posted by : NethervestigeSounds fine to me. I don't really wear PJs, but sure! I'll supply the Mortal Kombat.
So can I stay at yours then? Pajama party! :D
Originally Posted by : jonIf we can even import (legally). I know it seems unlikely that they'll prevent us from importing, but it's still possible regardless, and stated by at least one retailer. Whether they'll be strict on enforcing that prevention is a different matter. It would be absolutely absurd if importing wasn't allowed though.
absolute f***in bulls**t how they can ban this which is fantasy/ fictional yet allow games that depict real life actions & scenarios with deaths that actually occur is unbelievable, thats kool cause a lot of people like me will import it if it ain't overturned, unbelievable shite
Originally Posted by : odinsarmpitNice boner.
Man, I hate this for the Aussies. Adults should not be treated this way. The decision to ban Mortal Kombat is absolutely classless and outright unfair. You have every reason to be angry. Push to get your government to give games an R18+ rating and in the meantime, ****ing import the hell out of it. Even if they try to make it illegal, maybe you can get it from Ebay and the seller can package the game for you in ways that keeps it from being obvious that you bought Mortal Kombat. Kind of like buying a 60 dollar oven mitt. Catch my drift?
Originally Posted by : JustinRexdoesnt sound like much chance of it being seized but it does happen, what punishment are you likely to recive if you try to import the game and get caught?
So is everyone importing? and with importing is it likely to be seized? What are the odds? Have never done it before??
Originally Posted by : Tim Staticlmao Epic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDEyOp14kCs&hd=1