TV's Judge Mathis making new shooter

US TV star Judge Mathis has signed up to star in a new open-world shooter for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

According to Yahoo, the game will be titled Mathis "Detroit" Street Judge. Players take on the role of La-Ron Washington, a twice-convicted felon who has one last chance to go straight or risk facing Mathis's wrath. But it might be tricky what with La-Ron being accused of - wait for it - a murder he did not commit, and the whole of the Detroit underworld being on his tail.

"I know that the most popular game out there is Grand Theft Auto IV and I know that a lot of young videogame players like the [virtual] action of criminal activity," said Mathis.

"In this game, we're giving them that action and adding the option of living a mainstream, successful life. They have the combination of an action-packed criminal activity, as well as the opportunity to turn their lives around and pursue a level of success, as I did after leaving my background in the world of crime."

Mathis says he's a gamer himself, and likes a bit of Grand Theft Auto IV. But his game will be a bit different: "The main difference between our game and Grand Theft Auto is that players will have to deal with the justice system and consequences for their actions," he said.

"When you go to prison, you gain credibility when you come back on the streets. On the other hand, when you go to prison you can also be raped. So take your chances. We may see young people who make the wrong choice and go to prison and are assaulted repeatedly [in this game]."

According to Mathis, videogames offer a safe way for people to pretend they're glamorous criminal types - so you might as well let them get on with it. "We're not going to stop the violent genre of videogames like Grand Theft Auto, so instead you try to engage it in a way that allows [players] to obtain the fulfillment they're looking for but also give them the choice of going the mainstream successful life," he said.

The game is being developed in co-operation with Hollywood film-maker Matty Rich, who said the theme is, "Play with games, not with guns." Wii remotes don't kill people, remember.

Mathis "Detroit" Street Judge is out at the end of the year.