This topic has been a hot button issue in the gaming world for...well ever, really. Ok, to be fair, I guess we'll say since the sega/snes generation. It's hard to worry about violence in the 8-bit era and before. I couldn't say what game started the debate, and people may disagree with me when it started. I do remember; however, when the debate entered into my life. Mortal Kombat. I remember it was everywhere. Violence, blood, gore, death, and kids being corrupted. From then on it has been an avalanche.

Now we have MadWorld. Have you seen the trailer for this game? Click this link or this link for it.



Everyone has always argued that violence is fine if it is tastefully done (GTA), or is justified by the game's story (Manhunt); though, these statements and examples are debatable. Regardless, after seeing Mad World in action, I believe that is a game that is completely built on mindless violence and killing. Perhaps they built in a similar story to Smash TV or the Running Man movie, but I still believe they wanted to make a game solely for the killing and violence. Look at the style. Black and white, and red blood that stands out over everything.

Now, what do I think of this? It is completely fine. Violence doesn't have to be tasteful or justified to be fun. Maybe people are cringing at that thought--violence as fun--but it's true. Video game violence that is. That is one of the many reasons that games are so popular. Games allow people to relieve stress, and escape from the real world. Escaping from the real world does not mean losing all sensitivity to real world violence or going mad (at least in 99% of gamers).



I have said that I play games for their stories. Well, that is true. GTA4 had a great story, and was very entertaining. It is important that games have stories; however, sometimes I'm frustrated and I just want to blow things up. Take a chainsaw and run rampant...in video games. There are no consequences in the land of video games. I can maim and murder and release a world of stress.

MadWorld looks like it will be the perfect game to do this in. From what I can tell from the screens and the video, it appears to be about a fight to the death gameshow. I think it may be a fun romp.

The problem with keeping violent video games away from underage gamers seems to be from where the debate really stems since adults should be allowed to play what they like. Problems that need addressing are the AO rating and parents.



AO ratings are a joke, and cannot be put on any game since that essentially kills the game. What is the point of a rating that no one will put out? Either publishers need to actually allow these games to be put out, or the rating goes into the trash. Otherwise it is pointless, or maybe it exists because it allows an out for the ESRB if they want to ban a game without "banning" the game...

Parents. Well, obviously we cannot control parents, and neither can the game industry. Parents that are really concerned about their children and violent video games should have no problem as long as they monitor what they buy, allow their children to buy, and pay attention to what games little Jimmy is playing in his room.

Really it all boils down to parental responsibility. Are violent games harmful to underage gamers? Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps it depends on the gamer, and maybe not all adult gamers need to play these games; however, I do not believe in punishing the majority of sane gamers who enjoy a little of stress releasing violence now and then because some people can't tell truth from reality (or parents don't want to be parents).

Long live the carnage. I'm gonna go blow something (fictional) up.