Lexi Webster
The Mortal Kombat video game franchise has long been a source of controversy due to its graphic violence and explicit content. In 2011, the anticipated reboot of the game was banned in several countries, including Australia, due to its violent content. This ban sparked debates about censorship and the need for an adult rating system for video games in Australia. While the 2011 ban on Mortal Kombat was eventually lifted in 2013 with the introduction of an R18+ rating, the game's history of controversial content and its impact on the video game industry's rating systems have made it a notable example of the ongoing discussions surrounding violence in media. With that in mind, is Mortal Kombat 11 banned in Australia?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Ban | 2011 |
| Reason for Ban | Excessive violence and explicit depictions of dismemberment, decapitation, disembowelment and other brutal forms of slaughter |
| Classification | Refused Classification (RC) by the Australian Classification Board |
| Availability in Australia | Banned for sale, hire or public exhibition |
| Availability in New Zealand | Harder to access as large game retailers import their games via Australia |
| Possessing the Game in Australia | Legal to possess RC games (except in Western Australia and prescribed areas of the Northern Territory) |
| Appeal | Warner Bros. Interactive appealed the decision but was rejected |
| Ban Lifted | 2013, when an adults-only rating system was introduced |
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What You'll Learn
Mortal Kombat 11 is banned in several other countries
Mortal Kombat 11 is banned in several countries besides Australia. These include Indonesia, Japan, Ukraine, and previously, in regions of Germany and South Korea. The game was also made harder to access in New Zealand as a result of the Australian ban, as large game retailers like EB Games import their stock via Australia.
The Mortal Kombat franchise has been one of the most controversial games worldwide, with its graphic and gory violence, and realistic graphics. The game has been refused classification by various national classification boards, including Australia's, which deemed it "unsuitable for a minor to see or play."
The bans on Mortal Kombat 11 in Indonesia, Japan, and Ukraine are due to the game's gore and violent content. In 2019, WB Games Support tweeted that Mortal Kombat 11 would not be released in Indonesia to comply with local laws, and that the decision may be reviewed later. Similarly, Nether Realm, the developer of Mortal Kombat 11, has not shied away from the gore in the newest installment, but also believes the game isn't solely about that.
Mortal Kombat 11 is not the first game in the franchise to face bans and restrictions. The original Mortal Kombat game from 1992 was banned in parts of Germany and censored on some platforms. The 2011 version was banned in regions of Germany and South Korea, and the game has faced censorship and bans in Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Mainland China, and Ukraine.
The controversy surrounding the Mortal Kombat franchise has not stopped its success, and it remains one of the most popular and successful fighting game franchises of all time.
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![Mortal Kombat 11: Premium Edition - Steam PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91W65lRRcSL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The game was banned in Australia in 2011
The game Mortal Kombat was banned in Australia in 2011. The Australian Classification Board refused to classify the game, which made it illegal to sell, hire, or publicly exhibit the game in the country. The game was deemed to contain explicit depictions of dismemberment, decapitation, disembowelment, and other brutal forms of slaughter. The violence was considered to exceed what is suitable for minors and was deemed unsuitable for them to see or play. The game was also refused classification because it did not align with the local legislation.
The decision to ban the game was met with disappointment and frustration from gamers and publishers in Australia, who felt that the country needed a mature rating for games. Many expressed their desire for an R18+ rating for video games, similar to the rating that existed for films. The decision also impacted the availability of the game in New Zealand, as large game retailers like EB Games import their games via Australia and would have to bring the game in from another country.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, the publisher of Mortal Kombat, issued a statement expressing their disappointment with the decision and calling for the introduction of a mature rating for games in Australia. They stated that they understood that not all content is appropriate for every audience but believed that there was an audience for mature gaming content. They also mentioned that they were reviewing all options available at the time, including a potential appeal to the Classification Review Board or modification of the game for the region.
Following the introduction of an adults-only rating system in 2013, the ban on Mortal Kombat in Australia was overturned, and the game was re-rated as R18+ uncensored. This allowed the game to be sold and played by adults in the country. The introduction of the R18+ rating was a response to the public's call for a mature rating for games and ensured that mature content would only be marketed to appropriate audiences.
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The ban was due to graphic violence
The 2011 Mortal Kombat game was banned in Australia due to its graphic violence. The game's explicit depictions of dismemberment, decapitation, disembowelment, and other brutal forms of slaughter were deemed too violent for Australian audiences. The Australian Classification Board refused to classify the game, which effectively banned it from being sold or exhibited in the country. This decision sparked outrage among Australian gamers, who felt that the government was out of touch with the gaming community and that the ban highlighted the inconsistency of the Classification Board when it came to violent video games.
The ban on Mortal Kombat in Australia is particularly notable because the game is one of the world's oldest and most successful video game franchises. The game's publisher, Warner Bros. Interactive, appealed the decision, but the appeal was rejected. The company issued a statement expressing their disappointment and calling for the introduction of a mature rating for games in Australia. They argued that while they understood that not all content is appropriate for every audience, there was a significant audience for mature gaming content in the country.
The decision to ban Mortal Kombat in Australia had a significant impact on the gaming community. Aussie retailer EB Games sided with local gamers and publishers, expressing their support for an R18+ classification for games. They noted that the ban demonstrated the need for a mature rating system that would allow adult gamers to access games that might not be suitable for younger audiences. The ban also affected the availability of the game in New Zealand, as large game retailers like EB Games import their games via Australia and would need to bring the game in from another country.
The inconsistency of the Australian Classification Board's decisions on violent video games was a major point of contention for many gamers. Some pointed out that other violent games, such as Bulletstorm, had received lower age ratings and were available for sale in Australia. The ban on Mortal Kombat highlighted the need for a more consistent and transparent rating system that took into account the context and target audience of the game rather than solely focusing on violent content.
The ban on Mortal Kombat in Australia lasted until 2013 when an adults-only rating system was introduced, and the game was re-rated R18+ and uncensored. This decision was made after the Australian Senate set up an inquiry in response to the original Mortal Kombat game and similar violent games, leading to the creation of the Commonwealth Classification Act and the Australian Classification Board. While the initial ban on Mortal Kombat sparked controversy and frustration among gamers, the introduction of an R18+ rating system was a step towards recognizing the diverse audience of gamers and ensuring that mature content was accessible to adults while being protected from minors.
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Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment appealed the decision
The 2011 Mortal Kombat game was banned in Australia by the Australian Classification Board, which refused to classify the game. The board deemed the game unsuitable for minors due to its graphic violence.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, the publisher of the game, announced that it would appeal the decision. The company stated that it would submit an unedited version of the game for review, citing a precedent where its game FEAR 2 was initially refused classification but later allowed without censorship following an appeal.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment expressed disappointment in the Classification Board's decision, particularly given the global success of the Mortal Kombat franchise. The company's official statement emphasized the popularity of the franchise, which has spawned multiple films, television series, and sold over 42 million games at the time.
The appeal by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment highlighted the inconsistencies in the Classification Board's decisions regarding violent video games. Some commentators noted that other violent games, such as Bulletstorm, received lower age ratings without censorship, indicating a lack of standardized criteria in the classification process.
The decision to ban Mortal Kombat in Australia also impacted the availability of the game in New Zealand, as large game retailers in the country import their stock via Australia. This underscored the broader implications of the Classification Board's decisions and the potential for indirect censorship in other markets.
While Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment pursued an appeal, it is unclear what the outcome was, and whether the 2011 Mortal Kombat game ultimately became available for sale in Australia.
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The ban was overturned in 2013 with an R18+ rating
The ban on Mortal Kombat 11 in Australia was overturned in 2013 with an R18+ rating. This came as a result of the introduction of an adults-only rating system, which allowed the game to be re-rated and uncensored. The game had originally been banned by the Australian Classification Board due to its explicit depictions of violence, including dismemberment, decapitation, disembowelment and other brutal forms of slaughter. The violence was deemed too realistic for minors.
The decision to ban the game was met with disappointment and frustration from Australian gamers, who felt their country was acting like a nanny state and that the government held outdated views on gaming. Many gamers also believed that the decision was inconsistent with the classification of other violent video games. Some gamers even suggested that the ban might have been a strategic move to draw attention to the need for an R18+ rating for video games.
Following the ban, the publisher of Mortal Kombat, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, appealed the decision and called for the introduction of an R18+ rating for games in Australia. Warner Bros. had previously succeeded in getting another game, FEAR 2, unbanned and uncensored on appeal. EB Games, an Australian retailer, also showed its support for an R18+ rating.
In 2013, the R18+ rating for video games was introduced in Australia, and the ban on Mortal Kombat was overturned. This allowed adults to purchase and play the game, while still restricting access for minors. The introduction of the R18+ rating was a recognition of the fact that video games are not just for children, and that adult gamers should be able to access mature content.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Mortal Kombat 11 is not banned in Australia. However, it is banned in Indonesia, Japan, Mainland China, and Ukraine.
Yes, the 2011 Mortal Kombat game was banned in Australia in 2011. This was due to its graphic violence, including "explicit depictions of dismemberment, decapitation, disembowelment and other brutal forms of slaughter." The game was unbanned in 2013 when an adults-only rating system was introduced.
The game was refused classification by the Australian Classification Board, which meant it was banned from being sold at retail and placed on the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service list of prohibited items. The game was deemed too violent and unsuitable for minors.
They appealed the decision but were rejected. They also called for the introduction of a mature rating for games in Australia, stating that "there is an audience for mature gaming content and it would make more sense to have the R18+ classification in Australia."
