Fans rage at anti-MadWorld campaign

By Robert Purchese Published 13 November, 2008

Media watchdog told to "shut the f*** up".

Watchdog outfit Mediawatch-UK has received sacks of "hostile emails" after calling for a ban of gory SEGA Wii game MadWorld.

The company complained back in August that the title will "spoil the family fun image" of the console, arguing that "modern and civilised values" should take priority over "killing and maiming people".

"Within hours of these remarks being published a rain of hostile emails from gamers poured into our office telling us to 'shut the f*** up', suggesting that we had 'got our knickers in a twist', demanding, as though we were on trial for an heinous crime, to know what right we had to impose our 'narrow minded bigotry' on them and stopping them playing an 'adult' game of their choice," writes John Beyer in Mediawatch-UK's recently published autumn newsletter.

"Others, of a more sober character, asked reasonably why we should be so concerned about games when there was so much violence in films and on television!

"We were also accused us of being 'cowards' for not responding properly to belligerent strictures and one 'emailer' observed glibly that 'violent acts are not a symptom of videogames and films, but rather the human condition'," he adds. "Another said: 'If you don't like violent content, don't view or use it.'"

Beyer said some also "cynically" thanked Mediawatch-UK for drawing attention to a game they would now go out and buy.

"It is evident from this that the battle for standards has rather shifted away from television towards games and the internet," reckons Beyer.

So what will Mediawatch-UK do about all this? Well, the company has responded to the public discussion of the Video Recordings Act opened by The Department of Culture, Media and Sport. This Act, you see, was put together in 1984, when there was no such genre as retro.

Mediawatch-UK called for online gaming to become part of the Act, and to see "a unified classification scheme that must be 'trustworthy, uniform and clear' and there must be 'power to refuse to certify certain titles'".

"We did not agree that any new system 'must work for the games industry' alone or that it 'must support retailers'.'The overriding priority,' we said, 'really ought to be the welfare of children and families,'" concludes Beyer in the report.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (82) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • curtlikesmeat #1 3 years ago

    I've never been first before, so please forgive me just this once. First!

  • curtlikesmeat #2 3 years ago

    I feel dirty.

  • The_Inquisitor #3 3 years ago

    They want to protect kids, and now they have an opinion that most gamers are kids.

  • Thingy #4 3 years ago

    Won't someone please, think of the children

  • DFawkes #5 3 years ago

    The people that wrote mature, well written letters are awesome. Everyone else should be taken out and shot by the very guns they find so cool.

  • menage #6 3 years ago

    1984? Wow, I just started playing games back then. My first game was Snoopy.

  • Xerx3s #7 3 years ago

    "really ought to be the welfare of children and families"

    All nice and dandy but that STILL gives you no right to come into my home and tell me what to do and what I can't watch. In other words: Fuck off with your hypocritical bullshit, masquerading under a banner of purity.

    For once I find myself in agreement with the mobs.

  • SliderNL #8 3 years ago

    When do the authorities realize that games are a medium, just like movies, books, music, internet and television.

    What is it that games need to be banned. Can you remember the last time a movie was rejected? Just because kids play on a Wii doesn't mean no adult games can be made for it. Common Sense people should try it.

  • PearOfAnguish #9 3 years ago

    This is going to be an 18 rated title, presumably, so what's the problem? If kids are getting hold of it then Mediawatch needs to focus its efforts on educating the parents buying this game for their kids or the stores selling it to under-18s, rather than attempting to have it outlawed because they don't like a game that's intended for adults.
    Edited by 1 at 13/11/08 @ 09:15

  • aldo_14 #10 3 years ago

    'The overriding priority,' we said, 'really ought to be the welfare of children and families,'" concludes Beyer in the report.

    Hmmm. Perhaps we should have some sort of ratings system, determining the suitablity of games and under media for non-adults of certain ages and proscribing the sale of adult-rated games to those deemed too young. Maybe this could use a large sticker on the box with the age limit stated?

    EDIT
    This is going to be an 18 rated title, presumably, so what's the problem? If kids are getting hold of it then Mediawatch needs to focus its efforts on educating the parents buying this game for their kids or the stores selling it to under-18s, rather than attempting to have it outlawed because they don't like a game that's intended for adults.

    Nah, because mediawatch is only interested in backdoor censorship, not education. It was founded by Mary Whitehouse (!) and also objects to stuff like showing homosexual relationships on TV or blasphemy.
    Edited by 1 at 13/11/08 @ 09:24

  • spazmo #11 3 years ago

    Where do they get the idea games are for kids?

    Probably from reading the EG forum and comments threads. In fact ANY games forum.

  • Bitkari #12 3 years ago

    This country has way too many "Watchdogs" and "Thinktanks"...

  • mazzl #13 3 years ago

    :) I'm brilliant!
    they should just make the WII a kids only console,with No 16 year + titlesl!
    then prohibit humans under the age of 16 to own a xbox or ps3
    problem solved

    serious now: didn't you just have the byron report last year or something wich made all kinds of sence, why this discussion again?

  • Ranger101 #14 3 years ago

    WHY WON'T SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!?

  • Ranger101 #15 3 years ago

    If I remember correctly, Mediawatch is a fundemantalist christian organisation setup by (or inspired by) Mary Whitehouse.

  • SpyroViper #16 3 years ago

    So isn't watching a film like Saw 'spoinling the family fun image fo a living room'?

    Stupid people, agreeing with the mobs here. I say BURN 'EM AT THE STAKE!
    Edited by 1 at 13/11/08 @ 09:47

  • SpyroViper #17 3 years ago

    ^ Which means they can F off some more!

    Stupid christians.

  • PearOfAnguish #18 3 years ago

    "founded by Mary Whitehouse"

    Ah, well in that case, telling them to fuck off is a perfectly reasonable response.

  • neonemesis #19 3 years ago

    Its not their responsibility to try and get things banned. Ultimately, its down to the parents to keep the game out of their hands in the same way that its down to parents to make sure their young child doesn't raid the DVD cupboard and put Saw/Hostel/other18 rated films on the telly.

    Quite why nobody made a stink about something like Hostel which is like 40% nudity/sex and 60% torture/violence is beyond me yet they are quite happy to slam a game for having dashings of blood. Furthermore, it isn't their job to decide what image a console has is it?

    But yeah, I agree with everyone about how silly it was to send angry complaints that aren't going to help matters. You can have an opinion but you have to get it across properly to be taken seriously.

  • rudedudejude #20 3 years ago

    You want to protect children?

    You better lock them up cause I'm coming!!!

    whahahahahahhaha!

  • chessboxer #21 3 years ago

    Were computer games to blame for the horrible acts towards Baby P? Were computer games to blame for the Crusades? Do parents buy violent games for their children? Do watchdog groups lack common sense and rely on fear promoting?

  • gaselite #22 3 years ago

    "Thanks, fellow gamers, for giving these idiots ammunition. I bet they feel more justified than ever now."

    ^

    Just terrible.

  • Dan234 #23 3 years ago

    This problem can be solved in the following way:

    1. If buying games for your children, do not buy games which have a rating which is inappropriate for your children's age.
    2. Set parental controls on Wii to an appropriate age for your children if you think it is necessary.
    3. There is no step 3.

  • udat #24 3 years ago

    Somebody think of the children!

  • Oh-Bollox #25 3 years ago

    If I had kids, I'd let them play MadWorld.

    Unless they were mentalists, then they'd just get the fucking belt.

    Computer games, films, books etc do not make people violent. People predisposed to violence are going to be violent, regardless of what media they see (if any). We should look after our nutters properly, instead of letting them roam free on EG.

  • LiamK #26 3 years ago

    "Were computer games to blame for the horrible acts towards Baby P? Were computer games to blame for the Crusades? Do parents buy violent games for their children? Do watchdog groups lack common sense and rely on fear promoting?"

    Not that I agree with them, but that argument is rubbish. You can't say "The Crusades were extremely violent. Computer games weren't around then, therefore computer games aren't violent".

    Give it twenty years (maybe ten), and all the people in power will be people who grew up playing computer games. Problem gone.

  • Eighthours #27 3 years ago

    Sadly, trying to get an objective discussion with MediaWatchUK about videogames is akin to convincing a KKK member that Obama's election was a good thing.

  • Linkified #28 3 years ago

    First thing censors need to realise is not all content is done for the lowest common denomminator, i.e. Children. Content should be for all something for kids, something for teenagers and something for adults. And I hate to be the relist but every game has violence tendencies. Its the fucking human condition.

    E.g. take for instance super mario bros you kill iinnocent goombas and koopas.
    Eg.2. Pac man you have to get the highest score by eating 4 innocent ghosts.

    Like i say its the human condition maybe we should ban wars being shown on the tv because thats violent. Ut they wouldn't admit to that becasue it makes them look like dumb fuckers.

  • dancingphil #29 3 years ago

    Can't we take this as an opportunity to ask why we are so into violent games? I have The Darkness, Bioshock, Fallout 3, Gears of War, etc, etc. I like them a lot, but I can't explain why the violence somehow makes them more satisfying to play. What happens in these games (especially The Darkness) is pretty horrific. There's no way of objectively measuring the impact of violent media, but I'd be surprised if it was positive.

    This isn't a troll. I just think there's a good chance to actually think a bit about this.

  • PearOfAnguish #30 3 years ago

    Because we are a violent species, and games are a safe way of expressing our natural aggression. The violence appeals to the base wild animal part of our brains. It's escapism too, acting out things we aren't allowed to do for real.

  • Monkey #31 3 years ago

    Maybe we need to move away from calling them "Games" to "Interactive Computer Entertainment" so that the stupid people don't confuse "Games" with "Children and their toys".

  • Dan234 #32 3 years ago

    Sadly, trying to get an objective discussion with MediaWatchUK about videogames is akin to convincing a KKK member that Obama's election was a good thing.

    Good job video game fans are known for their objectivity, putting aside e-mails sent to MW or PS3 vs 360 vs Wii fanboyism.

  • chessboxer #33 3 years ago

    @ LiamK

    I am saying that these groups and people like Jack Thompson and some of our MP's are claiming that the current state of violence which we are seeing on the streets is largely down video games when that is total bullshit. They are using scare tactics on the masses and people with a lack of common sense will believe what they hear.

    Many people still think that video games and animation are only for kids and can't understand that the medium can be used to reach wide audiences, but like porn, video games should not be purchased for minors when there is a massive 18 rating slapped on the front cover.

    Of course video games weren't around in the 11th Century but the Crusades were violent (unless you consider massacres of people based on their religious views to be part of everyday life) and religion is a bigger cause of violence in the world than games, and that hasn't changed in 1000 yrs, yet these groups and politicians would have you/myself/others believe otherwise.

  • jellyhead #34 3 years ago

    Definite purchase for me now, can't wait :)

  • neonemesis #35 3 years ago

    Because we are a violent species, and games are a safe way of expressing our natural aggression. The violence appeals to the base wild animal part of our brains. It's escapism too, acting out things we aren't allowed to do for real.

    Spot on. Cases of aggression and violent acts would probably be higher if there wasn't some sort escapism available to us. Its not that different to venting anger by taking out rage on a punchbag.

  • Dan234 #36 3 years ago

    Spot on. Cases of aggression and violent acts would probably be higher if there wasn't some sort escapism available to us. Its not that different to venting anger by taking out rage on a punchbag.

    Britain as a rule is quite aggressive. Other countries somehow manage to be less aggressive with the same escapism available that there is in Britain.

  • Gargant #37 3 years ago

    What children are you speaking of? Parents should have more sense than just giving kids money so they can buy whatever game they want. Or maybe they have earned enough money, in that case the shopkeepers should look at the ratings and ask for id of some sort. What else can be done to make them not play the adult games? Ah, we could ruin it for everyone by stopping the game from being release here so that people who wants it can just pay extra to play it. Now that sounds like fun.
    Suck my merry jousting pole

  • Linkified #38 3 years ago

    Like all animals with a carnivous intent we are violent. Since media watch uk are run by christians who do not believe in darwins theories that we are animals, they don't understand the ease at which playing any sought of videogame unleshes testostorne into our brains thus creating the need for a kick as well.

    Something I've been informed of is that media watch uk is ran by a man who prides himself being a devout christian and opposes the idea of homosexuals. Why did I throw this in here because a few months back he had sex with a rentboy. Not to be too crude but I wouldn't put it past him to be playing violent videogames as well. Plus thwere opinions caount towards nothing.

  • PearOfAnguish #39 3 years ago

    "Britain as a rule is quite aggressive. Other countries somehow manage to be less aggressive with the same escapism available that there is in Britain."

    How do you know Britain is more aggressive than other countries? Going by the latest figures for murders per capita, for example, the UK is below Canada, South Korea, United States, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden and many other countries.

    In fact, looking at it like that actually works in our favour. The less developed countries where they are less likely to have access to games have a huge problem with violence. That's because of other social, political and economic issues. Games have absolutely nothing to do with it.

  • Vin #40 3 years ago

    You bunch of crazy fucks.

    God bless the Internet.

  • doriangray #41 3 years ago

    Parents need to be educated.

    I agree with what the majority are saying, but we do need to take a step back and say that yes, young children can be influenced negatively by violence on tv/film/games. But of course that is why we have ratings, and so kids should not be playing games they aren't old enough for. Why can't the group be emphasising that rather than trying to ban games that are perfectly ok for adults?

    Their logic seems to be:

    fat people eat burgers

    burgers must make people fat

    educate people to eat healthier? NO

    ban all burgers so no one can eat them, even the thin people? YES

    Which is just fucking stupid.

  • Dan234 #42 3 years ago

    How do you know Britain is more aggressive than other countries? Going by the latest figures for murders per capita, for example, the UK is below Canada, South Korea, United States, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden and many other countries.

    Because I live abroad, have also lived in another foreign country, and visiting Britain once or twice a year is a bit of a jolt.

    You can argue it however you want with statistics about murders (which I would argue is different to a society's average level of violence because murders are relatively rare cases in any developed country), amount of alcohol drunk (often turns out less than other countries), or access to violent media (about the same as other developed countries) but very few developed countries have as many occurrences of, anger issues (sorry to use that phrase), post-pub 'letting off steam', or knife crime as Britain does.

    In fact, looking at it like that actually works in our favour. The less developed countries where they are less likely to have access to games have a huge problem with violence. That's because of other social, political and economic issues. Games have absolutely nothing to do with it.

    You need to remove the part highlighted in bold.

  • chicknstu #43 3 years ago

    If it gets banned from Wii, maybe they'll move it to a decent platform instead.

  • BobsUncle #44 3 years ago

    You fuckers. You reminded me of just how fucking shit Hostel and Saw were.

    It's really beyond me how Saw has managed to get so many sequels.

  • SixFootHalfling #45 3 years ago

    DON'T BUY THE GAME FOR CHILDREN IT HAS A MASSIVE 18 STICKER ON IT

    sorry but problem solved if it weren't for the fucktards that pass for parents now

  • PearOfAnguish #46 3 years ago

    "Because I live abroad, have also lived in another foreign country, and visiting Britain once or twice a year is a bit of a jolt."

    So your conclusions about violent Britain are based on personal observation? And what are you trying to say, that videogames are responsible?
    Edited by 1 at 13/11/08 @ 12:44

  • BobsUncle #47 3 years ago

    @Dan234

    Do you live on Paradise Island? where the floor is made of pillows and birds sing heavenly songs as you pass.

  • Les #48 3 years ago

    "arguing that "modern and civilised values" should take priority over "killing and maiming people"."

    As far as I'm aware freedom of expression is a modern and civilised value and should take precendence over any form of censorship.

    It's a shame that somehow the public at large is convinced that games (and other forms of entertainment) actually influence behaviour structurally. This 'obvious truth' has never been proven scientifically and I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up in the same garbage bin as the flat world, dualism, creationism and the blank slate theory.

  • Petulant_Radish #49 3 years ago

    @Dan234

    Are you basing your views on Britain on the country as a whole? As I would imagine to know such a thing then your two trips a year must encompass journeying around the whole of the Britain we call Great, talking to it’s various people, and seeing the differences between rural and urban life.

    Or are you basing it on the possibility someone shouted at you when they were drunk, got mugged on the tube, or read far too many of the red tops for your own good?

  • Dan234 #50 3 years ago

    So your conclusions about violent Britain are based on personal observation? And what are you trying to say, that videogames are responsible?

    No, I said that videogames aren't responsible because the same games are available in other, less violent, countries. Although they may be given higher ratings and more parents may decide not to let their children play those games.

    As for the level of violence in Britain and the rest of Europe, I found it difficult to find any statistics on the kind of violence we are talking about so I used personal observation.

    Do you live on Paradise Island? where the floor is made of pillows and birds sing heavenly songs as you pass.

    France and Spain.

  • Dan234 #51 3 years ago

    Or are you basing it on the possibility someone shouted at you when they were drunk, got mugged on the tube, or read far too many of the red tops for your own good?

    Although I've spent nearly 10 years abroad, I'm still British, old chap. I've lived oop north and dahn sarf and I still have a fair idea of what Britain is like apart from the top 40 and who's in Big Brother, but it only hits you (if I can use that phrase) when you go back and see it as it's a contrast from the rest of the year.
    Edited by 1 at 13/11/08 @ 13:21

  • Eraysor #52 3 years ago

    I hope they eat a plasma grenade.

  • CHAZBIGPOTATO #53 3 years ago

    "Going by the latest figures for murders per capita, for example, the UK is below Canada, South Korea, United States, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden and many other countries.

    In fact, looking at it like that actually works in our favour. The less developed countries where they are less likely to have access to games have a huge problem with violence. That's because of other social, political and economic issues. Games have absolutely nothing to do with it. "

    At the risk of making a tool out of myself in front of the whole internet (not the first time!);
    I don't understand that comment, looking at recent GDP per capita for the countries you listed only Finland and South Korea come below the UK, so surely US, Canada, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden are more develped than the UK and going with your argument therefore more likely to have access to Games? Correct me if I'm wrong.
    Edited by 1 at 13/11/08 @ 13:23

  • Petulant_Radish #54 3 years ago

    Fair enough then, I have also lived both up north and down south, and I love them both. The violent thing is only in the cities really though, and once you have crumbling infrastructures with massive increases in population then that’s always going to happen. Though I myself have not been privy to much of it, I do tend to think the tabloids make a much bigger deal of it than needed as they like the grabbing headlines.

  • dancingphil #55 3 years ago

    I don't buy it. It's all very well to talk about "society" as a whole: you can chat about that forever without really getting anywhere. But is anyone here saying that if they didn't play violent games they'd be more likely to act violently towards other people?

    Whatever you think of Mediawatch, it's understandable that people see games which are based around violence and are put off. There has to be a better response than just "TV and film are as bad" or "censorship is bad". Why do we enjoy these things so much?

  • BobsUncle #56 3 years ago

    You live in France AND Spain?

    You fat bastard.

  • Dan234 #57 3 years ago

    I'm an obesity victim. They should ban hamburgers.

  • Retroid #58 3 years ago

    I'd quite like Mediawatch to go forth and multiply.

  • PearOfAnguish #59 3 years ago

    "At the risk of making a tool out of myself in front of the whole internet (not the first time!);
    I don't understand that comment, looking at recent GDP per capita for the countries you listed only Finland and South Korea come below the UK, so surely US, Canada, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden are more develped than the UK and going with your argument therefore more likely to have access to Games? Correct me if I'm wrong."

    All the countries listed have a higher murder rate per capita than the UK.

  • Dan234 #60 3 years ago

    I don't buy it. It's all very well to talk about "society" as a whole: you can chat about that forever without really getting anywhere. But is anyone here saying that if they didn't play violent games they'd be more likely to act violently towards other people?

    My pet theory is it's more about not being able to relate to strangers very well instead of acting out a diet of media-fed violence. In Britain people can be either blanked out (e.g. train or tube) or treated incredibly politely. When neither of those approaches works then that's where the problems start. Before anyone asks, I don't have any links.

    Whatever you think of Mediawatch, it's understandable that people see games which are based around violence and are put off. There has to be a better response than just "TV and film are as bad" or "censorship is bad". Why do we enjoy these things so much?

    Possibly because people want to ban or regulate them so they're seen as naughty.
    Edited by 1 at 13/11/08 @ 13:55

  • Collymilad #61 3 years ago

    "to know what right we had to impose our 'narrow minded bigotry' on them and stopping them playing an 'adult' game of their choice,""

    Wouldn't mind knowing that myself tbh.

    Also, i'd just like to say what a bunch of fools the people who are trying to argue that videogames make you violent are. The problem with British society today is too much interference with kids from the government and not enough from parents. This country has gone down the toilet because kids have too many rights, and you basically aren't allowed to do anything to discipline them. Then, by the time they're 16, they feel like stabbing someone, so they just go and do it. But what did people expect when you have neds brining up new neds, and powerless parents/teachers?

    Which brings me to the next thing that's wrong with Britain: There aren't enough prisons. It's about time the government accepted that the current capacity is not enough, rather than just refusing to acknowledge that we do have more scum in this country than we can currently keep locked up. And what does this attitude lead to? People who have killed others getting short sentences because they don't want them taking up space too long. So then you have no real deterrent.

    If you stab someone, shoot someone or hurt someone badly, you were going to do it whether you played a violent game or not. I have been playing violent games for over 15 years and i have never ONCE been involved with the police, and i've been in about 2 fights in my life, both of which happened at school.

    You know why 15 years of useage of violent games hasn't made me more violent? Well, and you're gonna be really shocked here, it's because A)My parents actually raised me properly and taught me morals and the difference between right and wrong and B)I'm not a nutter in the first place.

    Videogames are basically the scapegoat for societies problems at the moment, hopefully when the next thing comes along, we'll get a rest.

  • Les #62 3 years ago

    " There has to be a better response than just "TV and film are as bad" or "censorship is bad"."

    Can't believe someone putting those two 'arguments' in the same sentence as equals!

    In my view censorship never leads to anything because, like so many popular measures, it does nothing about the problem but only targets the symptom.

    "Why do we enjoy these things so much?"

    If you're referring to violence: because it's in our nature (a bit more in guys than in gals). Addressing our needs for violence via games and media has the benefit that it doesn't hurt anybody. Despite popular wisdom, we're not more aggresive in this day and age of violent media. In the news in general there's more focus on violent crimes though, because it sells (it addresses our need for thrills). That gives the distorted picture that we live in a more violent world.


  • Dan234 #63 3 years ago

    I'm not sure why we're taking for granted that violence is part of our nature. If it is part of our nature than you have your answer as to why society is violent so we might as well stop the thread here.

    On the other hand children can be taught that violence is not acceptable, and that is probably where the problem is (that they're not being taught this).

  • Nithron #64 3 years ago

    It still amazes me that some people do not understand that what they consider offensive or unacceptable is an entirely subjective matter, and that forcing it on other people, who have different but equally valid views, does not make any sense.

    Are their brains just plain defective or something? I can't think of any other explanation, because this isn't rocket science, it should be common sense.

    Reminds me of the facebook groups trying to get other facebook groups banned. Funniest one so far: The multitude of anti Dead Baby Joke groups.

  • Kill_Crazy #65 3 years ago

    'France and Spain'

    If we had no rules and plenty of riots, where would we be? France.

    And if we run the risk of getting blown up by the ETA and lived with some of the biggest racists in Europe? Spain.

    Not the best examples.

  • Dan234 #66 3 years ago

    And what about towns and cities in Europe dreading the day when a British football team comes to visit?

    Don't think we're going to get very far like this, doesn't really add much to the debate does it?

  • Les #67 3 years ago

    "I'm not sure why we're taking for granted that violence is part of our nature. If it is part of our nature than you have your answer as to why society is violent so we might as well stop the thread here."

    Society isn't violent but there is violence in society, because violence is a part of human nature. That doesn't mean that we all have to act or do act violent most of the time. In fact, when compared to other mammals, our 'murder' rates aren't that high (though we do compensate of course with the occasional war). But there is a violent instinct within us that can be triggered now and then. What we need to do is remove those triggers as much as possible but complete removal is futile of course.

    "On the other hand children can be taught that violence is not acceptable, and that is probably where the problem is (that they're not being taught this)."

    Children needn't necessarily be taught that violence is not acceptable (though it doesn't hurt). Sane persons are able to figure that out on their own (as is the case for other moral rules). Like I said, violence isn't more of a problem now than it ever was (probably less even in the Western world) though the media do their best to convince us otherwise. When we do see young males (almost always young males, for biological reasons) commit violent acts in Western society, in most cases they feel (wether rightly or wrongly) duped by/no part of society and therefore feel less bound by its rules (as soon as people form 'us' and 'them' groups mentally, the barrier for violent acts drops significantly). And of course there are the psychopaths who are beyond all cure. Fortunately, their numbers are small.

  • kangarootoo #68 3 years ago

    I have to agree that people who send angry and abusive emails to mediawatch about how games don't make them angry are kind of getting what they ask for.

    That said, this...

    "DON'T BUY THE GAME FOR CHILDREN IT HAS A MASSIVE 18 STICKER ON IT"

    is also true.


    I think what we can learn is that if you have a complaint to make, making it with the voice of an utter tosser doesn't help you one bit. A little bit of self control might actually get people further.

    I don't for a second think that violent games make normal people violent either, but the difference is that if someone showed me conclusive proof that it DID... I would accept it.

    A lot of gamers don't really give a rats ass about proper debate, or have any sense of give and take, if they think that someone is messing with their precious gaming. So it shouldn't surprise anyone to find that people who refuse to live in the real world are not taken seriously and don't have their opinions listened to.

    Frankly it makes me feel miserable to think that illiterate, sweary, angry, illinformed, closed minded fanboys are in any way acting as ambassadors for my hobby and livelyhood.

  • kangarootoo #69 3 years ago

    @Les

    Good post.

  • smelly #70 3 years ago

    >They want to protect kids, and now they have an opinion that most gamers are kids.

    After reading forums like this - im convinced they are too..

    Especially ones who only buy "adult" games and go on about video games being "kiddy"

    Personally I have a sneaky suspicsion that mad world will be poo

  • Dan234 #71 3 years ago

    Children needn't necessarily be taught that violence is not acceptable (though it doesn't hurt). Sane persons are able to figure that out on their own (as is the case for other moral rules).

    As a young child you aren't really able to figure things out for yourself, you need to be taught when you've done something wrong (and right). If you find that bullying works and you are never told otherwise then don't be surprised if this belief carries on through to adulthood.

    When we do see young males (almost always young males, for biological reasons) commit violent acts in Western society, in most cases they feel (wether rightly or wrongly) duped by/no part of society and therefore feel less bound by its rules (as soon as people form 'us' and 'them' groups mentally, the barrier for violent acts drops significantly).

    As I said in a post above, it's about relating to strangers. If everything is defined by 'us' and 'them' then you've reached the point where you can't relate to strangers.

  • kangarootoo #72 3 years ago

    @smelly

    "Personally I have a sneaky suspicsion that mad world will be poo"

    Well its on the Wii, so of course it will.

    hehehe ;)

  • themerlin13 #73 3 years ago

    Well all this just goes to show............It's a Mad World!!!

    Sorry I'll get my coat.

  • FogHeart #74 3 years ago

    1) Adult sets up Wii for his child who got it for Christmas
    2) Switch on Wii.
    3) Notice channel called called Parental Control. Click on it out of curiosity.
    4) Listen and read a recording, with images, that explains that the rating shown on the front cover is *not* an indication of how old a child needs to be to understand and play a game - so if a child of 7 is playing a 12 rated game, it doesn't mean they're quite clever - but an allusion to the maturity of the content of the game.
    5) Across the country, hundreds of parents have both synapses light up in their brains for once.
    6) At the end of the playback be offered to turn on parental controls.

    No one can complain after that. The problem with parental controls is they're buried in the menus and most people who get the console just don't RTFM. It's sad that you have to legislate for that, but it's sad that a lot of parents aren't clued up enough to realise point 4.
    Edited by 1 at 13/11/08 @ 18:06

  • Les #75 3 years ago

    "As a young child you aren't really able to figure things out for yourself, you need to be taught when you've done something wrong (and right). If you find that bullying works and you are never told otherwise then don't be surprised if this belief carries on through to adulthood."

    As a young child you're not a very big danger to your surroundings or society, helps too... ;)

    But seriously, there isn't much proof that parenting has any impact on the behaviour of children. In fact the evidence tells us that about 50% of how someone turns out is determined by the genes and the other 50% by the non-home environment (basically the peer group). Parental rules might lead to the desired behaviour when the parents are around but as soon as they're not around the effect is gone.

    Thankfully most of us are equiped with a working set of tools that tell us what actions are socially acceptable and which not. If we'd had to wait for common sense to properly develop before figuring that out, we wouldn't be around anymore as a species... ;)

    Doesn't mean parents should just let their kids behave violent. It's anoying to other people so they should make some effort to control them. Makes them look (and probably feel) better as well.

  • AOFanboi #76 3 years ago

    Complaining about Madworld ruining the "family-fun image" is a WEE bit late, MediaWitchhunt, what with MOH, RE4, Red Sword, No More Heroes... the list goes on, though admittedly it is shorter than for either the 360 or PS3.

    Also, what is wrong with a console having both mature and child-friendly games on it? It's like complaining that a store is selling both beer and milk.

  • SEVQA #77 3 years ago

    Media watchdog

    (I dont give a sxxx about them - fxxx em fxxx em all!)
    Edited by 1 at 14/11/08 @ 00:43

  • neonemesis #78 3 years ago

    Actually, if this game DID come out on PS3/360, I doubt anyone would care. It all boils down to the fact that Mediawatch have decided for us what image the Wii has.

  • Dan234 #79 3 years ago

    As a young child you're not a very big danger to your surroundings or society, helps too... ;)

    That's why it's better to teach them it isn't acceptable when they're young. If they're older and don't like it they tend to react with a smack in the chops.

    But seriously, there isn't much proof that parenting has any impact on the behaviour of children. In fact the evidence tells us that about 50% of how someone turns out is determined by the genes and the other 50% by the non-home environment (basically the peer group). Parental rules might lead to the desired behaviour when the parents are around but as soon as they're not around the effect is gone.

    I didn't mention parenting in particular, I said "children can be taught". That includes teaching that violence isn't acceptable at school, because when they're young and they're being taught this at home and school then that's most places covered. (Insert rant about schools here.)

  • Les #80 3 years ago

    "I didn't mention parenting in particular, I said "children can be taught"."

    OK, then we agree more or less. The public-friendly mantra of blame-the-parents might sound nice but there's little substance to it. Like with most problems in society, there are no easy solutions and pretending that folk wisdom is the key might work fine during elections but will have zero result.

  • Dan234 #81 3 years ago

    I don't think you can expect young adults to suddenly start behaving reasonably if they haven't done that until now because they don't know any better and never have known any better. It is difficult to change their behaviour if they're out of control and that's something more complicated.

    But as for children it's relatively simple. I'd rather blame the parents and schools as they're both responsible for bringing up children and when they're young there are few other places they can be. We already know many parents can't be bothered and we already know schools don't have the authority to act or don't do anything because they think they might damage their reputation by admitting that bullying happens.

    And this particular debate about the BBFC/Media Watch/PEGI/etc is happening because many parents prefer to have decisions taken for them. There's not much more to it than that.

  • djed #82 3 years ago

    fuck the kids.