Daily Mail slams 'most violent Wii game ever'

Wednesday 13th August 2008 - 11:00

Sega's MadWorld comes in for a tabloid roasting and Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir PC screens

Veteran games company Sega has fallen under the scrutiny of the Daily Mail, as the newspaper reveals the company is developing a Wii title that it considers to be inappropriate for the consoles' audience.

The editorial hysterically proclaims that the forthcoming openworld crime caper MadWorld - not due for release until 2009 will 'horrify' parents and change the 'family friendly' nature of the machine, when released exclusively for Wii next year.

We're unsure how the newspaper played the game, as to our knowledge the title is still firmly under the development blanket at Sega HQ. But nevertheless, the 500 word article depicts the stylized black and white visuals of MadWorld - which looks more like the semi-animated movie Sin City than GTA IV, to be something akin to a video nasty. Conversely, many industry experts are of the opinion that MadWorld will be a breakthrough title for Nintendo's console - demonstrating a visual style and innovative narrative that's considered more at home on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Both Sega and Wii manufacturer Nintendo have been forced on the defensive by the unexpected media interest on a title that has yet to even be completed. Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc, said: 'MadWorld pushes the envelope with its extreme content but takes a step away from the dark and serious nature of most mature games.'

A spokesman from Nintendo, said: 'Wii appeals to a wide range of audiences from children and teenagers to adult and senior citizens, anyone from 5 - 95, as such there is a wide range of content for all ages and tastes available. Mad World will be suitably age rated through the appropriate legal channels and thus only available to an audience above the age rating it is given.'

With the Daily Mail touting MadWorld as the most violent game to ever grace the Wii, we can't help but wonder what the national newspaper will do when Rockstar's previously banned Manhunt 2 receives a scheduled Wii release - long before Sega's forthcoming game. The professional Daily Mail games journalists surely couldn't have been caught napping, could they?