MadWorld Too Violent For Local Release?

That Sega's MadWorld for Wii is violent, we already knew. That Sega themselves are questioning whether the game could be released in Japan, is new to us.

In every country or region, a software rating board such as the ESRB (US), USK (Germany) or PEGI (Europe) has a saying on what audience a game should be available for. And due to that nature, rating boards have put their mark on several games throughout history too.

Now MadWorld for Wii is a totally different case. Sega acknowledges the violent nature of the game. Because of that, the company decided to work closely with the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) to ensure the game receives "just an M rating", as representatives from the company told MTV Multiplayer. The representative also stated other violence-sensitive countries, specifically Australia and Germany, receive a similar approach. "Those markets could see MadWorld, but it's not part of Sega's strategy right now". If MadWorld is a success, it might happen, but the concern right now is making it a western hit and ensuring its violence remains gory - but within an M rating.

Now here's the point that would surprise some. The game is in development by Japan-based Platinum Games. Usually, one would assume that a developer (and/or publisher) knows what they're dealing with, however Sega isn't sure that MadWorld will ever show up in its native territory Japan. As a result, Sega will not show the game at next week's Tokyo Game Show, and any possible Japanese release will be evaluated only after MadWorld has been released in the US in March 2009.

source: MTV Multiplayer

Share on Twitter or Facebook

Comments

• 

  Come to think of it, why are the old school games not considered to be "too violent" as well? Mario kills his opponents by stomping on the top of their head with his sheer massive weight, probably snap a neck or two. Kirby is the legendary cannibal that feast on the flesh of others to gain their traits (litteral meaning of cannibalism)...

  LeSomeGuy, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
• 

  Because those don't show how you plant a trafficsign in someone's eye, followed by instructions on how to to play darts on a life object? [edit] just remembered the German version of Carmageddon showing zombies with green 'blood' instead of humans with red. Recognition with the real-world is a big aspect in this kind of decisions, I think. ...or the fact that MadWorld shows blood ;)

  Dennis, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
• 

  I have always wondered how would the original Mario games look on full 32-bit color HD. Head stomping, hammer smashing, throwing lizards into lava, and the look on Mario's face when he heard "Sorry but our princess is at another castle"... People's Mario on NewGrounds provided a pretty good preview to that. If only someone would make that into a full blow game...

  LeSomeGuy, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
• 

  I want this in Australia :(

  jofra01, 30-11--0001 at 00:00