Platinum working toward HappyESRB with MadWorld

by JC Fletcher { Oct 7th 2008 at 5:20PM }

How do you keep the ESRB from destroying a game like MadWorld, built as it is almost entirely around ridiculously overblown, graphic violence? By warning them, mostly. In order to avoid the dreaded, sales-killing AO rating, Platinum Games and Sega are keeping the ratings board apprised on the development of the game, sending periodic preview builds and getting feedback.

While Platinum is ensuring the maximum allowable violence for an M rating here, they aren't seeking a release anywhere else at the moment. That basically ensures that they can tune the violence precisely to what one ratings board will allow rather than having to worry about many. If there's enough money to be had, Sega will look into other regions, but right now, it's totally US-focused.

Gallery: MadWorld

[Via Game|Life]

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

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Magnus @ Oct 7th 2008 5:43PM

If the average games of gamers is over 17, then why can't stores sell AO-rated games??? Why do companies have to censor games in order to sell them, even if they sell them to adults? I am the only one feeling like a child here?

Strike Man @ Oct 7th 2008 6:03PM

This isn't Sega's decision if they want to release this title on the Wii. Nintendo will not allow AO-rated titles to be published on their systems. Nor with Microsoft or Sony. The pre-patched San Andreas is the only AO title I recall being released on their consoles, and was only because of the rating coming in through the back door, so to speak.

While I agree with your point of view, this is also the same trouble Hollywood has to deal with the difference between NC-17 or R. The NC-17 rating, to John Doe, means pornography, period. The AO rating unfortunately conjures up the same images, which would likely make the anti-videogame activists' jobs easier, since as we all know, "all games are for kids."

"Is YOUR child viewing pornography on his Nintendo tapes? Film at 11!"

It's not "right", but that's how society would look at it.

Amiculi @ Oct 7th 2008 9:42PM

I firmly believe that a console loses all rights to bar adult content from being published on it as soon as they integrate a web browser.

Rich @ Oct 7th 2008 6:14PM

Now if they can only keep the terrible choice of going black and white from destroying the game.

...let the angry gamer comments and insults begin.

8-bit.artist @ Oct 7th 2008 6:27PM

nice troll, but black and white destroying the game? uh, no.

rouroniJohn @ Oct 7th 2008 6:34PM

i think it looks good, its supposed
to be like Sin City.

Mr Khan @ Oct 7th 2008 6:38PM

Considering what some M-rated games get away with, i'm not worried.

GatorSax2010 @ Oct 7th 2008 7:25PM

This will never be released in Australia.

Mr Khan @ Oct 7th 2008 9:19PM

or Germany

hellhammer @ Oct 8th 2008 2:12AM

But! You can bet your ass it'll end up in some 13 year old's Wii collection and his mom will attempt to sue...

Anybody...Even though he couldn't buy it without adult consent.

Sorry, I was carded twice buying games today, but not when I walked into a porn store.