News: Sega Working With PEGI & BBFC On MadWorld

Posted by Nathan Whincup - Aug 23rd 2008 23:36

SEGA have revealed that they are working with PEGI and BBFC to ensure that they don't go "over the top" with the vividly violent MadWorld.

Last week, British tabloid newspaper the Daily Mail and "pressure group" Mediawatch-UK teamed up to publically condemn Platinum Games' upcoming Wii-exclusive IP MadWorld and began a crusade to have the BBFC refuse to classify the game, thus preventing its release in the UK. The tabloid claimed that MadWorld would contradict the Wii's "repatoire of mostly sports games", with a Mediawatch-UK spokesperson adding that it is a 'shame' that publisher SEGA have chosen to release it exclusively for the Wii.

SEGA have responded to these harsh words with news that they are working with the PEGI and BBFC ratings boards to ensure that MadWorld can be released in the UK. Here's what SEGA's David Corless had to say about the issue.

"Yes, it's violent. We don't try to hide that, but as publishers, we see it as a fantasy game - it's fantasy violence. It's over the top. It's cartoony. We also take the violence very seriously. We are working with the age rating boards, with PEGI and with BBFC. We're not at the end of the game's development, but we're working with them now to make sure that we don't go over the top."

SEGA recently announced that neither MadWorld nor The House of the Dead: OVERKILL will be released in Germany (though games from any PAL region will work on German Wii consoles, meaning importing is still an option), and Mr. Corless admitted that there is no getting around that. He added that SEGA are taking this seriously and will ensure that the game is rated for the appropriate audience.

Click here to read N-Europe's roundtable response to the Daily Mail's article about MadWorld.

MadWorld is due out in Europe in Q1 2009. Let's hope that SEGA can fend off the 'videogames are evil' groups for the time being.


Source: CVG

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Comments

Tphi @ N-E Says: 
August 23rd, 2008 at 18:51 || Total Comments: 426
It's encouraging they're aware of the hysteria and aren't going to let it stop a great-looking title from being released :)
Attiq Says:
August 23rd, 2008 at 19:59 || Total Comments: 31
I find it funny that this comment was made.

"a Mediawatch-UK spokesperson adding that it is a 'shame' that publisher SEGA have chosen to release it exclusively for the Wii."

XB360 or PS3 owner thats a little sad a cool game is coming to Wii and not their own system.....
Kurtle Says:
August 24th, 2008 at 05:16 || Total Comments: 268
What have these people been brainwashed into thinking the Wii is exactly? :S


It's looking as though Nintendo will never win.

They either do crap by only releasing more hardcore games, or do well by letting people release lots of crap, but then aren't allowed to release good things.


It's more like: "the Wii's full of shit; how dare a 3rd party try and release something good"

I reckon Attiq's right about everything. It's a Sony conspiracy.



Anyway; the game will end up shitter than it was going to be now. Thanks Mediawatch.
I sure hope Nintendo steps in or something, but we all know they wont.
Cipher Says:
August 24th, 2008 at 05:33 || Total Comments: 294
Just slap an 18+ on it and have done with it, for Christ's sake.
Sariachan Says:
August 24th, 2008 at 05:46 || Total Comments: 326
All this fuss around fictional violence is hilarious, couldn't people be more concerned about real violence?

Anyway, as Cipher said.
Treqie Says:
August 24th, 2008 at 06:21 || Total Comments: 22
And, does anyone in europe really care for PEGI or age ratings? I don't think I know many people who know what PEGI even is.
VaatiKaiba Says:
August 24th, 2008 at 07:25 || Total Comments: 269
And example of what Treqie said: I bought Endless Ocean recently (highly recommended btw), and my mum was looking at the box, and said '3+??? Isn't that a little young for you?'


I was slightly gobsmacked, as I assumed everyone realised it was the suitability and not the recommended age...
Joonas Says:
August 24th, 2008 at 08:02 || Total Comments: 25
It's refreshing that for once game maker stands up and defends the game they are making. Unlike Rockstar which makes controversial games puts them on display and just sit and watch while the shitstorm rages on.
Jack Wallington Says:
August 24th, 2008 at 15:51 || Total Comments: 27
I can't believe this is still going on. This game is far less realistic than other games. They just need to point them in the direction of Resident Evil 4 and the myriad of zombie shooters already available. Then look at the games on the other consoles. Jesus, the Daily Mail is written by idiots.
Major_tom Says:
August 24th, 2008 at 15:53 || Total Comments: 63
"a Mediawatch-UK spokesperson adding that it is a 'shame' that publisher SEGA have chosen to release it exclusively for the Wii."

Because the Wii is only for kids and grannies? What right do they think they have to decide who Wii's target audience should be? Isn't that up to Nintendo?

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 MadWorld - Click to see game details
MadWorld

System:
Wii

Genre:
Action

Developer:
Platinum Games

Publisher:
Sega

Release Dates:
Out now
Out now
Out now
Out now

Memorycard:
N/A

Multiplayer:
2

Last updated on:
Apr 7th 2009