Australia has a stricter video game rating system than us. Games deemed for people 17 or older, our “M” rated titles, need to be toned down for a slightly more family friendly 15+ or older rating. While the MA 15+ rating implies a strong warning it doesn’t allow as much of the ultraviolence as a 17+ rating. Since the maximum rating a game can get is MA 15+ you can imagine what happens to some games that push the gore envelope.
Madworld is an interesting case. The game doesn’t have an official ESRB rating yet, but Sega’s black, white, and red (very red) title is gunning for an M. The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) rated the game for 18 years old and above only – suitable, in their eyes, for adults only. The difference in the severity of the ratings implies Madworld is going to be censored in Oceania.
At least Australia is getting it. This is likely due to the level of graphic violence, but Madworld is not even on Sega Japan’s release schedule even though it is being made there by PlatinumGames. Madworld could be one of the rare games developed in Japan that never sees a release in its home country. Or maybe not. Sega has not released a CERO Z (AO equivalent) game on their own, but a less violent version is in development. Perhaps Japan will get Australia’s version.
Images courtesy of Sega.
