IMPORTANT UPDATE TO MORTAL KOMBAT BANNING

[5FDP]

I decided to make a separate thread to what I have already posted in the The Computer/Console Gaming Thread to update everyone on what I believe deserves it's own topic.

Below is an article posted on GameSpot AU

Aussie customs to seize Mortal Kombat imports

The Australian gaming population fired up overnight, with news coming in yesterday afternoon that the Australian Classification Board (ACB) had decided to uphold the decision to slap a refused classification (RC) rating to fighting game Mortal Kombat. A game which has been RCed is illegal to promote or sell in Australia, meaning the title is effectively banned Down Under. And for those considering importing the game to circumvent the ban, it seems the Australian authorities are already on the lookout and ready to stop copies from reaching the nation.
GameSpot AU spoke with an Australian Customs and Border Protection Service spokesperson, who confirmed that the service had added Mortal Kombat to its list of prohibited items. The spokesperson said attempting to import Mortal Kombat is indeed illegal as it breaches the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956.
"As Mortal Kombat has been refused classification in Australia it is considered objectionable material. It is therefore a prohibited good, and illegal to import into Australia," the spokesperson said. "Customs and Border Protection works closely with Attorney General’s Department to identify imported games that are banned in Australia. This includes games purchased over the internet from foreign websites. Attorney General’s Department regularly updates Customs and Border Protection about classification decisions on publications, films and computer games, including the reclassification of material, and about different versions of computer games (some of which may be refused classification), and how to identify those versions at the border. This information is then used to assist in identifying and seizing banned versions of games.
"Any copies of the games detected at the border, including via international mail, will be seized."
The Customs spokesperson said someone caught trying to import RCed games into Australia could expect a fine of up to three times the value of the product, or A$110,000, which ever is greater.

Warning - Below link contains language not suitable for minors

Obviously there are a lot of fans defiant over this and will 'test their luck' in getting the game through. I would hate to hear of anyone here being fined $110,000 for importing a video game.

[Zippo]

And sometimes being in New Zealand has its advantages.
Gets an R18 here, but gets released.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Hmmm, that is most interesting. I don't think that a game has ever been targetted like this before you know...

Hopefully the attempt to re-apply for classification comes through. Might hold back a bit until the hoo-hah dies down and see if anybody gets abbed on the game.

In an interestoing side note, the US PSN will have a dl demo available from tomorrow/thursday I think.
Just saying is all


*update* Dang it! just read the reapplication for MK failed. What a crap system we have! And yet I can import X rated porn quite easily (not that I have, but ads seem to show up all the time)

[KillinSpoon]

Theoretically, would it be possible to get someone to slap a sticker of another game disc over the top of the mortal combat image, and send it over in said replacement game case?

I do not endorse nor suggest that anyone tries this.

[griffin]

Be careful of what you discuss or suggest on a public environment, especially when it comes to the law.

[Hursticon]

Right...



This just F@#$s Me Right Off!!!
How the hell can these F@#$ing Ass Clowns be able to tell me, a F@#$ing Adult, What I can and can't Bloody-well play?
If there is going to be a protest march, count me the F@#$ In!!!

This shit needs to end and end soon, I'm glad to hear Zippo your Government deems it's Adult Citizens capable of making up their own minds though.

Sorry for the swearing guys but... This just really shits me.

[Omega Supreme]

I have been a huge fan of the MK series since it started and am always keen to give a new addition a try, its such a shame that ill probably never get that chance. I'm very interested to see what is so bad they cant rate it, I mean there is some pretty messed up stuff in movies, take the Saw series for example its just a constant over the top blood and guts fest. Something like that is fine to be stocked in every video shop in Australia, yet the latest MK game is too much? We live in such a strange world.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

The world is indeed strange, but the ratings in Australia are just ridiculous. If you want to know what the hoo-hah is all about, just have a look at the gameplay footage.

This MK has a super move of sorts that has an xray effect and you can see bones breaking etc. That, along with the fatalities had this baby in the red zone from the start.

Hurry up R rating I say!

[SGB]

Utterly freaking ridiculous.

Great way to encourage people to download the game instead, you Govt and Customs ninnies!

[The_Damned]

so i guess by all this they are promoting piracy.

on another note is it coming to the PC?