BBFC Clears MadWorld With 18+ Rating

Ratings agency BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) granted Sega's MadWorld for Wii an 18+ classification, requiring no alterations to its content. The rating came despite calls from Mediawatch-UK -- a conservative special interest pressure group in the UK that calls attention to media containing material it deems harmful or offensive -- that the BBFC should refuse classification for the title due do its violence. Developed by Platinum Games, MadWorld has players controlling a hero whose right arm has been replaced with a chainsaw, as he unwillingly takes part in a TV game show that has him fighting an assortment of powerful enemies to the death. The game is played mostly in black and white (with spatters of red) and emphasizes ruthless attacks and finishing moves using nearby objects -- for example, players can impale their opponents' heads with a caution sign. Sega has already announced that it will not bring the game to Germany, whose ratings standards are much more strict compared to those of other countries, and is even considering not releasing the game in Japan. The publisher, however, told consumer blog MTV Multiplayer that it is working closely with North America's ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) to ensure that the title will receive a Mature rating, making the ratings body feel "part of the process" by providing them with the newest builds and taking their feedback into account. MadWorld is scheduled to release in Europe and North America on March 31st. According to the BBFC's advice to consumers, the game contains "very strong, stylised, bloody violence."