"Blood splatters from the contestants' heads, he told the room. The game narrator instructs the player to finish his opponent. That player may choose a method of murder ranging from ripping a heart out or pulling off the head of the opponent, with spinal cord attached. Lieberman's aim with the congressional hearing had been to force the US games industry into creating a formal ratings system, preventing minors from buying violent titles."
"US news networks were sending reporters to arcades, interrogating teens as they enthusiastically dismembered each other's fighters. Newspapers were interviewing alarmed child psychologists. The BBC responded by featuring the game on its late-night news magazine programme The Late Show, calling in author Will Self to play live in the studio. Charmingly jerky Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection. Photograph: Atari It's interesting now to watch those hearings and then look at the game they were describing."
On 9 December 1993, Democratic senator Joe Lieberman testified before a congressional hearing on video game violence, targeting Mortal Kombat. Mortal Kombat featured graphic fatalities including ripping hearts out and decapitations, with blood splatters and narrator prompts to finish opponents. Lieberman sought a formal ratings system to prevent minors from buying violent titles. The Entertainment Software Rating Board was established following the hearings. The game's 1992 arcade debut and the 13 September 1993 home console release, Mortal Monday, fueled a growing moral panic. Widespread media coverage sent reporters to arcades, interviewed teens and child psychologists, and included live BBC segments. Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection compiles early series titles and spin-offs.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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