Here's something you don't see every day. A videogame has been censored, but it's actually North America that has seen changes made, while the European version remains untouched. That game is Midway's Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and the edit in question concerns the famous Joker fatality that was reported to have been snipped in order to secure a Teen rating.
"That's partly true [that the fatality has been edited] ... You know, for North America we have a Teen rating, and teen really means 13 and above," explains senior producer Hans Lo. "Thirteen is pretty young, you have to admit. For Europe we have a 15, 16+ rating - so it's a bit different."
Joker's fatality revolves around the Clown Prince of Crime shooting his victim with a toy gun that reveals a classic "BANG" flag, before blasting them in the head with a real one. In the edited version, he lets the defeated opponent walk offscreen before finishing the act.
This is a small edit, but it's bound to irritate some gamers, especially knowing that Midway made the concession for the sake of a T-rating. Are you particularly bothered at them gimping the only great fatality shown in the game so far, or is it too small a detail to worry about?
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
Likes
PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3
Meet the rest of the team
| BBcode help |
| [b]Bold text[/b] |
Bold text |
| [i]Italic text[/i] |
Italic text |
| [url]http://www.dtoid.com/[/url] |
http://www.dtoid.com |
| [url=http://www.dtoid.com/]Web link[/url] |
Web link |
|
| [img]http://www.example.com/robot.jpg[/img] |
 |
Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
45 comments | showing # 1 to 45
|
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
Comments policy
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
2:28 PM on 11.06.2008
| 
Oh well, enjoy a more badass fatality, Europe!
- America
Bizarro World, anyone?
At the rate they're going, this is going to make the original SNES Mortal Kombat look like a bloodbath.
Me too!
gg
next map
If this game was a bit more polished, I think I could overlook some small alterations like this; But this game looks like yesterday's garbage. Covered in today's garbage. Covered in porn booth squeegee scrapings.
But now, not gonna happen. This decision has nothing to do with what you censored (ok maybe a little), but with why you censored it
The game is still fun to play regardless. Its like...Soul Calibur fun.
Yeah it sucks that it's been censored; but its just going to be something that I'll get over. It doesn't take away the enjoyment of playing the game.
The only other idea I have as to why this happened is pressure from DC to protect their image in the US.
Frankly, anyone around the age of 13 and up will love stylized violence with no apparent negative side effects. Kids these days have grown up with video games and amazing special effects in movies; they are much, much better at determining whats real and whats not than they tend to be given credit for. Particularly something silly, in a game like this.
I remember when 300 came out, with an r-16 rating here in NZ, i had to download it and put it on dvd for my mates who were 14 at the time. It was EXACTLY the kind of movie theyd love. And certainly nothing to make their poor, tiny, 'innocent' teenage brains melt.
Actually, I guess I just figured it out.
Cost and time are two factors. There are a few games out there wherein you can turn blood effects on or off but designing two versions for each fatality in MK vs. DC would be a pain for animators and just about everyone.
Sad, really; the fatality was the only reason many were getting the game, me included. I didn't know it was such a small edit, but hey, the damage is already done. Besides, it'd probably be a bad example for that to be the first MK game I play, especially since it looks like it'll probably be a bad game period and not just for MK.
...Even though there's no way in hell I'd ever buy an MK without a spine being ripped out.
Druggy.
I'm betting if the MK team had it their way the game would probably get banned.
I dont get this. A game that made its name on ultra violent content. Games like GTA have a mature rating and sell millions.
What kind of backwards logic are they using over at Midway these days?
For once Europe gets something cool!