Mortal Kombat reboot refused classification in Australia

PS3 News | UPDATE: It's official.

Sad news today for fighting game fans based on Australia, as PALGN has just gotten word that the Australian Classification Board has rated the upcoming Mortal Kombat reboot as 'RC', which stands for 'Refused Classification'. This means that Mortal Kombat, originally slated for a release later this year on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, will not be released in the country.

Developed by NetherRealm Studios, Mortal Kombat was meant to be the ninth installment in the series and the first to be published exclusively at Warner Bros. following the demise of Midway. Mortal Kombat is the first title in the series to include 3D graphics with gameplay solely on the 2D plane (2.5D). The developers also stated that this is the first game in which they are making a conscious effort to create deeper gameplay for more dedicated players of the series and of fighting games in general.

We'll provide you with an official word once it has been made available. We would like to direct attention to the ongoing Everyone Plays campaign, which aims to provide Australia with a fair rating system to protect children from mature rated video games, and allow adults to play the games of their choice.

UPDATE: IGN has posted an official response from Mortal Kombat publisher Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, stating;

"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."

Related Mortal Kombat 8 (working title) Content

Mortal Kombat appeal knocked back
14 Mar, 2011 Refused Classification wins. Fatality.

Mortal Kombat ban to be appealed
02 Mar, 2011 Avoiding the fatality.

A trailer for Mortal Kombat's Sub Zero
22 Nov, 2010 Brr.

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62 Comments

Scubafinch

2 years ago

I'm glad of this.

Whilst the game looks like a really good reboot and heaps of fun, there is no way that this game should be on the shelves with an MA15 rating. It sucks that there is no higher classification, but parents are so ill informed that they would happily go out and buy MA15 games for 12 year olds.

I was only in JB HIFI the other day and saw 3 excited kids getting their mum to buy Black Ops. The oldest could have been no more than 12! Perhaps an 18 on the box, like in the UK, would have made her think twice.

Until we get an 18 certificate, refused classification is the only answer for games with this level of violent content. As mentioned before, it's not the fault of the classification board. Hopefully the AGs can get a bloody move on and make a decision based on the consensus of the general population.

sobriquet835

2 years ago

I'm not surprised in the slightest, to be honest. I mean the detail on the skeletons breaking was always going to get this rc'd. My question is, would it be RC'd if we had an R rating? I get the feeling it still might have been.

That being said, this game is only good for the fatalities, which I can watch on Youtube anyway.

grim-one

2 years ago

Is the game really that different to the last 15 MKs though?

The only thing I can think of is the X-Ray moves, but they weren't mentioned in the report just fatalities.

theory

2 years ago

Scubafinch wrote

Absolutely.

I hope those kids don't stumble upon this website.

Ciel

2 years ago

Wonder if they'll release a gimped version for Austarlia, one where, when it says "Finish Him", you just walk over shake hands and say good match.

Benza

2 years ago

Ciel wrote

Wonder if they'll release a gimped version for Austarlia, one where, when it says "Finish Him", you just walk over shake hands and say good match.

theory

2 years ago

Qbert

2 years ago

Got to wonder if it would have been acepted if the publisher behind it put more money forward...

BurnZ

2 years ago

From the report, spoilers wrote

Kung Lao throws his metal hat into the ground and it spins like a buzz saw. He grabs his prone opponent by the ankles and drags their body through the saw, explicitly slicing them vertically in half. Copious bloodspray is noted. Kung Lao then holds up both halves of the corpse as blood pours out

Awesome.

drinniol

2 years ago

evil_kenshin wrote

actually thats incorrect you are not allowed to import RC items into any state/Territory and in W.A. (i believe this is the state could be another state) its illegal to posses RC items

Huh, you're right. $10 grand fine.

Soap of Death

2 years ago

Part of me wants to see a L4D2-like edited version just to see how bad it is.

"Please, GET OVER HERE!" No spear comes out, just Scorpion holding out his hand offering a gentleman's invitation to the opponent to come closer.

Gamesta

2 years ago

Glad I have started buying games online about a month ago.

Pixie

2 years ago

Is it just me, or does anyone think this was a ramdom game they choose to RC? There's quite a few games in the shops now that in my opinion should be R18+.......
At least this has put the issue into the media circles again.

el_rezzo

2 years ago

More of my money going overseas! Aside from the Collectors Edition of The Witcher 2 I don't think I will be buying any games locally.

el_rezzo

2 years ago

Scubafinch wrote

I was only in JB HIFI the other day and saw 3 excited kids getting their mum to buy Black Ops. The oldest could have been no more than 12! Perhaps an 18 on the box, like in the UK, would have made her think twice.

Unfortunately those same kids could go to their parents and say, "Look mum! This game is only $40 if you buy it online from England!". Hopefully the youth of today hasn't discovered the internet.

Benza

2 years ago

el_rezzo wrote

Unfortunately those same kids could go to their parents and say, "Look mum! This game is only $40 if you buy it online from England!". Hopefully the youth of today hasn't discovered the internet.

Or hopefully they have so people have to start competing price wise when everyones going online.

Phreakuency

2 years ago

1. Shouldn't be surprised

2. It was always gonna be 50% cheaper to import anyway

Balguren

2 years ago

This goverment is seriously messed up and acting like they own the ppl.. 5 people decide what you all can do thats rubbish IMO. Who knows if warner bros is smart they will make the xbox region free as is the ps3 so ppl can just buy them from other countries show the Aus goverment they lose more then they gain by banning games.

Scubafinch

2 years ago

Phreakuency wrote

It was always gonna be 50% cheaper to import anyway

Completely agree. The last 10 games I have bought have all been from the UK. Killzone 3 is incoming for AU$50 delivered. There are some great $79 deals locally, but they just can't compete with import prices.

drinniol

2 years ago

Balguren wrote

It -was- the elected bodies of both Parliament and the Senate that enacted the laws.

You can be upset, just don't be dumb.

myzz

2 years ago

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

RAGE!

oh well, looks like the UK gets my business

DancesInUnderwear

2 years ago

theory wrote

Scubafinch wrote

Absolutely.

I hope those kids don't stumble upon this website.

I assume you're trying to make a point here, but damned if I know what it is.

Scubafinch is absolutely correct, this Mortal Kombat simply can't be considered suitable for an MA15 rating, and with the system so flawed, theres no other option. I'm not sure having an R18+ rating is going to stop dumb parents buying unsuitable games for their children, though.

piguma

2 years ago

Maybe they'll give us a copy like SNES MK1... no blood, only sweat.

travers

2 years ago

Soap of Death wrote

Awesome! I'm glad I'm not the ONLY strange bastard!

Trex0321

2 years ago

I was in Eb games in roselands (sydney, nsw) a while ago, when Red Dead Redemption first came out. and some mother was buying it for her 2 under 8 yr old boys. the sales assistant informed her it was only suitable for yrs 15 plus, she said she didnt care, they wanted it.

Unfortunately, i don't think an r rating would stop games falling into in-appropriate hands. what seems to be the issue is when general public (uniformed) think of games, they think children, there's no link in their minds between gaming and adults. Its also clear that's the case with the AG's, as the OFLC's piece said, MK reboot was deemed in-appropriate for children. It wasnt aimed at children. it was an adult game aimed at adults. its very obvious to us, but not to everyone.

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