Mortal Kombat Refused Classification
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.
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Davosemi says:
This seriously needs to be dealt with and quickly. I know there are a few steps into changing the law even if this did get through but the time that it has taken just to wait for the next meeting is ridiculous.
Not just Australia’s but all the companies in the industry need to support this. Australian sales may not be the best in the world but it definitely has an impact.
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Glenn says:
This is further proof that the Classification Board is a joke. They ban this game because of decapitations and dismemberments, yet approve games like Splatterhouse regardless of exactly the same content.
Furthermore, not one game was banned last year, leading everyone to believe that the Classification Board were starting to reflect community standards. Obviously, they were wrong.
I’m not a fan of the series so I won’t be importing this.
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bret says:
i will buy game region free because of this decision the government complains that we are not buying products in stores but this is the reasonn i refuse to buy games from anywhere but ebay they need to implement 18 rating.
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Scott says:
So can one buy the Xbox360 game overseas? Or will it not work? I don’t have a modded XBOX. I DO own a PS3, though. Can I buy the game overseas and play it here? I’m pretty disappointed by this news. I have been really looking forward to this game since the announcement and am now feeling pretty bummed. Im 30 years old – I can watch bestiality porn if I want (I don’t) or watch terribly scary horror movies if i want (lol, I dont).. why can’t I play a game with some blood and guts? (I want to).
Scott
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bret says:
when mortal kombat comes out go to ebay and just search mortal kombat region free. the games play in all region xboxes without a chip or jtag
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Troy says:
After reading this I must say that this is the straw that broke the camels back because I went to New Zealand recently anyway I seen Left For Dead 2 and I was going buy it since NZ has a R18 system. But I thought I better not take the risk of getting it through customs. Anyway like I said this was the straw that broke the camels back because I am so sick of tired of this crap that I am going to start importing games from the UK LFD2 included because I hired it out and because it was edited it made the game look very weak.
Finally after reading this I also started getting a bad feeling that they might ban Duke Nukem Forever because of all the sexual content/references that will be that game funny thing is it would not suprise me if it does get banned or edited and at the same time I would be suprised if it gets through uncut.
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LINK says:
Why the hell is this banned when they let people play God of War3 and even other games that are worst with stupid sex scenes but they ban mortal kombat……….THATS JUST STUPID