Madworld is going to spoil the image of our ‘family friendly’ console.

Once again the media doesn’t want their kids’ minds contaminated with violence. While Grand Theft Auto IV is still under fire, a new contestant enters the ring: MadWorld. The game, published by Sega and developed by PlatinumGames, is apparently going to “spoil the family fun image of the Wii” Let’s hope so.

This statement by John Beyer of a British media watchdog group named MediaWatch-UK illustrates how many adults nowadays think about the Wii and videogames in general whilst often just following popular opinion and unknowing of what the actual acts are. John Beyer about MadWorld again: “I hope the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) will view this with concern and decide it should not be granted a classification. Without that it cannot be marketed in Britain. What the rest of world does is up to them. We need to ensure that modern and civilized values take priority rather than killing and maiming people."

Strangely enough not only MadWorld is being put on the spot, but Nintendo and their “family friendly” image also. MediaWatch-UK is shocked that such a violent game will appear on a console that is so well known for its family fun image.

The gamer-front, however, will most likely be pleased with this unfamiliar breeze on their console called MadWorld. The Wii hasn’t been much of an action game magnet, whereas the PS3 and Xbox 360 are flooded with these kind of games, so it’s surprising that a new game is built from the ground up specifically for the Wii.

MadWorld is set in a nearby future in which we live in a complete dystopia where there is a game show called Death Watch. The game is created by a terrorist group going by the name of The Organizers. You too are caught up in this show and have to survive and learn more about Death Watch to hopefully get out of it. This is done with a wide array of weapons at your disposal, free to use as you wish. The game is completely in set in black and white, except for red blood. A macabre scene indeed.

A spokesman from Nintendo responded on this matter: “Wii appeals to a wide range of audiences from children and teenagers to adult and senior citizens, anyone from 5 - 95, as such there is a wide range of content for all ages and tastes available.” and added that “Mad World will be suitably age rated through the appropriate legal channels and thus only available to an audience above the age rating it is given.”, then noted that “The game is not made by Nintendo but by Sega.”

Whether or not Nintendo or its fans like it, the Wii often is seen as a family system and it may come as a shock to certain consumers to find such a violent game amid their less bloody counterparts. Possibly that’s the reason why groups such as MediaWatch-UK are blowing this whole matter out of proportion. Hopefully this will flip for the better and become a great marketing stunt for Sega.

Sources:
Madworld: MadWorld Violence Concerns Worry Mediawatch-uk
Nintendic MadWorld will 'spoil famiy fun image of Wii'
Mad at Mad World, group says Wii should be carnage-free
Parents horrified as most violent video game ever to launch on 'family friendly' Wii | Mail Online
Nintendic [E3 2008] SEGA details MadWorld on Nintendo Wii