Despite an appeal by Warner Brothers, Mortal Kombat is still going to be unobtainable (at least legally) in Australia when it launches next month.
“We’re obviously extremely disappointed that the refused classification decision has been upheld by the Classification Review Board," said the publisher. "We want to thank the thousands of Mortal Kombat fans in Australia and around the world who have voiced their support during the appeal process."
Even in the face of defeat, Warner Bros. is sticking to its guns, promising to "aggressively appeal" the ban and claiming that MK's content is no worse than anything else to have received Australia's MA 15+ rating.
I really wish Australia would hurry up and join the rest of the civilized world when it comes to entertainment rating. It is, quite frankly, embarrassing that this keeps happening.
Mortal Kombat: AU appeal fails [UPDATED] [Gamepron]
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.
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Contest:
8:40 AM on 03.14.2011 | 
It's not maintaining a standard. Most Australians WANT an 18+ rating, but a handful of politicians are trying to keep the majority down.
To not account for the fact that adults might like less kid-friendly content IS embarrassing. It's archaic and makes the country look outdated and unable to adapt to changing entertainment mediums.
Other countries can cope with games like MK. The fact that Australia cannot makes the ratings look ludicrous.
But yeah, our rating system definitely needs to grow up... (that being said, "Videogame censorship in Australia" is a topic I know backwards and forwards and makes for really easy marks at uni (if the subject will allow me to somehow talk about it).
Games for people over 18, who would have thunk it? Fucking crazy eh?
( Here is a link to a short news article about the governments support, if your interested: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/05/3084954.htm )
bet you americans are jelous.
"Oh man, that rotter in office is banning games that aren't suitable for anyone under 15, what a dingo! i'm in my 20's and I want to play me some adult themed videogames!"
"Oh well, back to the beach, pass me another beer and let's check out this hot sheila in a bikini while we play some beach cricket!"
I have a lot of family in Australia, and to be honest, as fucked up and retarded as this is, from what limited experience i have of Australians (just from visiting every few years) is that they all have more important stuff to do than to fight against this.
Here in the cold UK, for like 2 thirds of the year, all you can really do is play videogames. Over there it's like, I dunno, just felt like videogames took quite a back seat.
They were played, but not so often, people would rather sit in the jacuzzi with a beer.
Personally i would have a PS3 hooked up to a big TV by my jacuzzi!
You forgot to "throw a couple of shrimps on the barbie".
I mean , maybe they just HATE Mortal Kombat ...
I think they need to demand to see their lawmakers birth certificates.
@Lenigod
Actually we've proven that with surveys. In this case he's not speaking for Australians, he's paraphrasing statistics. The government did a whole nationwide thing on it I believe.
Seriously censorship in Australia... Seriously.
(lol) at "hot Sheila" - haha those crazy Aussies and their chick slang.
Yeah, that's the theory. I had heard last year they were actually working on an M/R/18+ type rating. They voted the main antagonist out of office already. I wonder what happened to that.
honestly, it's a fighting game. If it can't stand on its own without the gimmicks then the game has more to worry about then the Australian region.
I'm not saying all versions across the globe should be censored, but if it can't be sold in stores by government decree, the game needs to be censored instead of remaining inaccessible. Australians need to stand up to this censorship, but it isn't the WB that should make that stand. Change the color of the blood to neon yellow and cut the bone crushing stuff and you still have a Mortal Kombat game. Yes it's going to pale in comparison to the rest of the world, but Australians unsatisfied can import it from the rest of us.
Err.... speed cameras are a GOOD THING, you moron.
And Jim, please stop using the term 'banned' it is misleading to many. Whilst 'refused classification' results in the same consequence, not being released because a rating system doesn't have a classification above MA15+ is a completely different situation than being banned.
@ Xzyliac
From here on in, it's just red tape. Things take time to change. It's not something that can just happen overnight, unfortunately - regardless of the fact that 95% of the people involved want to change it.
mightyape.com is selling it PAL, its from NZ so your golden get it through there
@Sexualchocolate
Only some bogans or outback jacks talk like that man ;) I'm speaking as an Aussie of course.
He wasn't actually voted out. Michael Atkinson won his seat comfortably, despite a grass-roots campaign against him. He did, however, volutarily step down from his position as South Australian Attorney General - the position that was allowing him to enforce his limited world-view on the video-gaming public.
The Standing Committee of Attorneys General is sitting again in late July and the R18+ for video games is again on the agenda. /fingers-crossed
I think they need to demand to see their lawmakers birth certificates.</i>
Howard. John-fucking-Howard. His completely backward social views pretty much made Australia a complete joke in the international community, made worse that he was PM for 11 YEARS (how the HELL that happened, I will never know), and the public is just too worn-down by that reign of terror to try and fight back.
*shakes head*
What happened, Australia?
I'm a 19 y/o Australian and pretty much the only thing i enjoy doing is playing video games; in fact i hate the beach.
Don't trust stereotypes.