MadWorld could impact the future of Wii gaming

by Alisha Karabinus { Aug 18th 2008 at 9:58AM }

The brewing controversy around MadWorld may seem similar, after the Manhunt 2 media debacle, but at least one person is concerned it may have a deeper effect on Nintendo and the Wii's future library of games. Or maybe it's more accurate to say that writer and advertising student Thom Dinsdale thinks the Wii market will be driven by the "Wii Sports generation," and that there will be little place for riskier games like MadWorld. On the face, it sounds like the oldest argument we've heard about the Wii: that the large casual focus is going to somehow damage gaming.

Well, Wii gaming, anyway.

Dinsdale seems to think that Nintendo is attempting to ride two horses at top speed, and is uncertain the company can balance the casual appeal with games like MadWorld. While he grants the fact that the publications lambasting the game are known for sensationalism, he also reluctantly admits that they're read on a daily basis by millions in the U.K., and he worries that other third party developers will look at the controversy and shy away from future Wii exclusives.

We can only hope he's wrong, and have the system's history with Manhunt 2 on our side, but we certainly don't want to see MadWorld toned down ... and we'd rather it not negatively impact future third-party releases, either. Dinsdale's arguments are well-reasoned, but we're keeping our fingers crossed on this one. After all, things are looking up for non-Nintendo releases on the system, and that's after the last major controversy.

Gallery: MadWorld

[Via GoNintendo]

Still not had your fill of storm-in-a-teacup controversy? Then hop over here to learn more about Manhunt 2's woes, here to catch up on Charlie Daniels' unfavorable views of Guitar Hero, or here to read about the fuss over Beer Pong. If you need us, we'll be here, soaking up the latest MadWorld footage.

Tags: controversy, madworld, platinum-games, sega, violence

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

samfish @ Aug 18th 2008 10:37AM

In retrospect, I don't think there was much of a storm of controversy around Man Cunt 2. It w as more like...a strong gust of wind. It just kind of fizzled out. It sure as hell wasn't like when GTA3 came out or Mortal Kombat.
I have no idea if Mad World will round up that kind of buzz...but I'm not terribly worried about a few shitty tabloids in the UK trying to make a story out of it.
...especially since we all know it's going to get toned down in Europe, anyway.

Mr.ESC @ Aug 18th 2008 10:43AM

All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow

And I find it kinda funny
I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I'm dying
Are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very mad world mad world

Roto13 @ Aug 18th 2008 11:50AM

You know, ever since Mad World was announced, I never actually saw anyone post the lyrics. Kudos.

Thom Dinsdale @ Aug 18th 2008 11:23AM

Thanks for taking an interest in my writing guys,

To be honest with you. I hope I'm wrong too, I think there is room for both kinds of game in the industry and I hope the public are willing to accept both of them in kind.

Lars @ Aug 18th 2008 5:06PM

Both should be accepted, at least I hope the "___ is the devil!" types have gotten over themselves by now. I mean, DVD players will play anything from Sesame Street to SAW. Why should the Wii be any different?

Damitol @ Aug 18th 2008 1:16PM

Developers and Nintendo are going to follow the money. Casual games have done very well and will continue to be released, and if Mad World, Fatal Frame, The Condiuit and all can do as well as the Resident Evil games sales-wise, we will continue to see more "M" games as well.

I don't understand why the system has to be pidgenholed. No one is holding a gun to anyone's head to buy either Mad World or Carnival Games 2. Although the system has a few well known shortcomings that will (hopefully) be addressed via accessories or future system upgrades, the Wii has proven itself to be an incredibly versitile system than can support all genres of games.

Just becuase PS3 and XBox both work to please a narrow demographic, that doesn't mean the Wii has to do so as well. I personally love the fact that I can go into Best Buy and get both a game that my 9 year old will enjoy and/or we can play as a family, and a different game for me to play once he's in bed without having to invest in two or more systems. I can't believe I'm alone in that.

So - even though devolopers know they will have to minimize blood in thier UK releases becuase of "nanny-state" regulations, the games we buy today will determine the games created tomorrow. I enjoy exploring a Mario platformer in the evening and blowing a zombie's brains out late at night, so I'll be doing my part to make sure Wii never becomes a one flavor system.

Roto13 @ Aug 18th 2008 11:51AM

I can't see this being a problem. When you make something over-the-top violent, controversy is par for the course and a sure sign that you're making the waves that you can ride to high sales.

Mr Khan @ Aug 18th 2008 12:02PM

If anything, the flap over MadWorld will lead to a similar fate as No More Heroes. With either a sadly toned-down version releasing in PAL-land, or publishers just neglecting to release ultra-violent games there entirely

If anything, i'd be worried if i were European/Australian, not worried as a Wii gamer

Boo!? @ Aug 18th 2008 10:19PM

Well, not that I don't agree with Thom, but...

Why would MadWorld have a different reception than NMH?

It might not sell too well (as happened to NMH) but I doubt the "wii sports generation" will even care about the existance of this title. In other words, I do concern about the possibility that this game won't sell much, but I doubt the existance of it will spoil wii's image.

In my opinion, if Nintendo can't hold the casual gamers in the wii, they will start having serious problems in the next generation.

The_Punisher @ Aug 18th 2008 1:34PM

The Wii just really needs ana amzing game. Period. NMH and SMG are great and all, but i want a great game for the Wii. So far, this and Fatal Frame IV look to be those games. I hope nothing goes wrong with this one.

meist3r @ Aug 18th 2008 1:48PM

I don't care as long there is a uncensored PAL version that I can import. From wherever I have to. I'm still worried about the ratings boards in Germany and UK that will probably try to ruin this. An 18+ rating would be the best that could happen to the game, I don't think the makers of that title are not stupid enough to consider that a reason not to publish it.

Remove the blood, remove the game. I hate this hypocritical censorship crap. I'm an adult, I've seen worse shit in my life. No kid can legally buy this, what the hell is the problem.

Jeez, sometimes I just want to go outside and stab someone with a chainsaw ... hey, what are you doing ... NO I'm never going back to prison ... mhahaahahaAA!"$%$

*Warning serious insanity and cynicism*

meist3r @ Aug 18th 2008 1:50PM

Ok, I was allowed to make a correction. There one to many "not"s in one of the sentences, if you find it please return it to:

Mental Wardness
Awesome Asylum
66613 Crazytown

I've got to go take my medication now, I hate suppositories.

SoshiKitai @ Aug 18th 2008 2:24PM

I would guess the controversy will only appear if it becomes a famous title.

...I noticed whenever they beat up on GTA, Manhunt, and etc back in the day... so many other MORE MORE MORE violent games went on by without getting noticed. It kinda' peeved me off.

Abbii @ Aug 18th 2008 7:50PM

There's no such thing as bad publicity.

Sure, it really sucks that European and Australia dissenters keep defaulting to censorship. It must be a major hassle to the developers. But at the same time, getting an original third-party game noticed on a Nintendo system is no easy feat. Now millions of people are aware of the game without the developers having to spend a dime on advertising.

ChromeAlchemist @ Aug 18th 2008 4:56PM

firstly, the european market is actually the largest gaming market in the world, its a fact, look it up. if that game is censored or banned in europe then the developers will feel it, sales wise.

secondly, thom i respect ur analysis and all, but to say that they are riding two horses here and are trying to balance the appeal for both is just untrue. do you know how many adverts for 'core' nintendo titles i have seen in my life? 2. one was ocarina of time and i dont even remember wt the other was.

nintendo dont advertise games like that, because usually whoever wants games like that would find out on the internet, while people who would buy games like big beach sports, would need adverts to actually find out the game exists (either that, or they see it in the shop, but seriously how many cube game adverts do u remember seeing?) so essentially they will sell themselves, while big beach sports wouldnt sell as much if it wasnt advertised. also, their first party games have always been of top quality, and have never been solely for one market, not to mention sega has openly said they will bring more mature games to wii

i live in england, and over here everything is blown out of proportion, our prime minister even said games like manhunt 2 should be banned to protect children like his own, which imho is like admitting you're a bad parent, because your children legally cant buy the game unless u get it for them. i just hope to god that this doesent get banned f*ck sake. or censored, i f*cking bought no more heroes twice for that.

MadWorld could impact the future of Wii gaming