Over The Top?

Violent video games. The cause of so much controversy. Some would say that there is no better way to escape from the drab reality of the real world, and perhaps they are right, but whilst just about everyone who plays violent video games can distinguish between violent over the top mayhem and the reality of everyday living there’s always some insane idiot out there who goes and spoils it for everyone else. The question is though: at what point is the violence just unacceptable?

Having said all that, I am only initially playing these games because they are fun and entertaining: the violence itself doesn’t make the game fun, it’s just a well-integrated part of the overall gaming experience. To illustrate this point, think of two violent games Rockstar (the kings of violence and controversy) have made other than GTA. One was “Manhunt”, a 3rd person stealth action game made in 2003 (sequel in 2007) that involved over the top executions using plastics bags, baseball bats, crowbars and chicken wire. Compared to GTA, this game’s violence rose to another level but it didn’t make the game fun to play nor did it stop the game from being tedious and boring. At times, it really felt like the violence was there simply to make a point as well as making it as controversial as possible. The other was “State Of Emergency”, released in 2002, a game that caused considerable controversy for its military style violence and its 'urban political revolution' subject matter and was accused by the press of being a "hooligan simulator”. Once again, it did not live up to the hype : it was a dreary game to play and was quickly forgotten about.

So, with "Madworld” being released, who cares if the game is violent and controversial? The player controls Jack, a mechanic and former marine with a chainsaw on his arm which helps him compete in a violent television show. Players can perform brutal melee attacks on enemies using objects found throughout the environment, such as impaling an enemy's head with a caution sign and hitting enemies onto a giant dartboard with a baseball bat! Eurogamer made the point that "It's difficult to understand why there's so much controversy surrounding MadWorld when the violence is so very Tom and Jerry. It really is hard to be offended... because it's just so ridiculous."

But surely, surely you've got to draw the line somewhere - at what point does a game become too violent? When is the point the violence becomes unacceptable? We throw it open to you, the community. Comment below.