The Rise and Fall of Mortal Kombat: A Moral Panic's Impact on Gaming
On December 9, 1993, a pivotal moment in gaming history unfolded as Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman addressed a congressional hearing on video game violence. His target: Mortal Kombat, Midway's controversial fighting game, which had recently made its way from arcades to home consoles. Lieberman's words painted a vivid picture of the game's graphic violence, describing blood-splattered contestants and gruesome fatalities. But what was the real impact of this moral panic?
The Panic's Spark
Lieberman's hearing aimed to push the US gaming industry towards a formal ratings system, a move that would protect minors from violent content. While he succeeded in establishing the Entertainment Software Rating Board, his words ignited a moral panic that had been simmering since Mortal Kombat's arcade debut in 1992. The game's home console release on September 13, 1993, dubbed 'Mortal Monday' by Midway, further fueled this frenzy. News networks descended on arcades, capturing teens engaged in violent gameplay, while newspapers interviewed concerned child psychologists. The BBC even featured the game on its late-night news program, inviting author Will Self to play live in the studio.
A Look Back at the Game
Fast forward to today, and the legacy of Mortal Kombat lives on. The recently released 'Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection' offers a glimpse into the series' early days. This anthology includes the first four titles, showcasing the game's evolution from arcade to home console. The digitized visuals, a product of 1990s technology, are a charming blend of jerky animations and low resolution. The controversial fatalities, once shocking, now evoke a sense of playful brutality.
Behind the Bloodshed
Mortal Kombat's creation was a collaborative effort led by coder Ed Boon and John Tobias. Initially, Midway envisioned a combat action game starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. However, when the deal fell through, Boon and Tobias drew inspiration from the wave of hyperviolent martial arts films like 'Bloodsport' and 'Best of the Best'. Their goal was to create 'the MTV version of Street Fighter'. The game's iconic fatalities were born from the team's love for movies like 'RoboCop', 'Terminator', and 'Enter the Dragon'.
A Moral Panic's Impact
The moral panic surrounding Mortal Kombat mirrored the video nasty controversy of the early 1980s. It highlighted concerns about new entertainment technologies entering family homes and potentially corrupting children's minds. Interestingly, this panic also contributed to the series' success. Mortal Kombat became the top-selling game of the Christmas season and beyond, selling six million copies across various platforms.
Industry's Response
The panic sparked a new battleground in the console wars. Sega embraced the controversy, allowing Mega Drive owners to access the full gore of the arcade version. Nintendo, on the other hand, toned down the violence, removing fatalities and replacing blood with 'sweat'. Sega's version ultimately sold better, proving the market's acceptance of the game's mature content.
The Legacy Continues
While Mortal Kombat's initial panic has faded, it remains a pivotal moment in gaming history. It marked a shift in focus from children to teens, and from abstract puzzles to graphically rich shooters and adult-oriented action adventures. The game's impact on the industry cannot be overstated, shaping the development of mature-rated games and the ongoing debate around video game violence.
