Mortal Kombat Refused Classification

Friday, February 25th, 2011

The reboot of the long-standing and popular fighting game series Mortal Kombat has been Refused Classification in Australia. According to a report from the Classification Board obtained by games.on.net the main reasons for the Board’s decision are the “explicit depictions of dismemberment, decapitation, disembowelment and other brutal forms of slaughter”. Mortal Kombat as a series has always possessed these elements, yet has not previously been troubled by the Classification Board, making this a confusing decision from a historical perspective. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment have released the following statement:

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.

It is not yet known if the decision will be appealed. Ron Curry, CEO of the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association, released this statement:

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.

This latest refused classification continues to highlight the need for an overhaul to the system, so that adults are allowed to experience adult content, while keeping it safely out of the hands of minors.

O’Connor sets deadline for R18+ Games

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Brendan O’Connor, the Home Affairs Minister, has told GameSpot that he is interested in introducing an R18+ game rating in July.

The Standing Committee of Attorneys-Generals (SCAG) was initially going to decide whether Australia should have the rating on March 4. However, NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos has ruled out attending the upcoming SCAG meeting, possibly due to the looming NSW state election. Therefore, the decision cannot be held in March.

But O’Connor believes that the March meeting would be a good time for ministers to examine the new guidelines and make a more concrete decision on how to proceed with the R18+ issue. He also claims that a vote for the new guidelines is a vote for a new R18+ rating.

You can read the full article here.