Self-appointed watchdog group 'mediawatch-uk' is still exerting its influence to try to refuse the violent Wii game MadWorld classification, thereby banning it from sale. Here's what the group's director John Beyer had to say:

"This game sounds very unsavoury.  I hope the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) will view this with concern and decide it should not be granted a classification.  Without that it cannot be marketed in Britain.  We need to ensure that modern and civilized values take priority rather than killing and maiming people.  It seems a shame that the game's manufacturer has decided to release this game exclusively on the Wii.  I believe it will spoil the 'fun for all the family' image of the Wii."

Does this guy play games? Or violent games? Highly doubtful. If not, why is he trying to ban them? I don't go to Hollywood Records and  try to get the Jonas Brothers records banned cause I think it's corrupting our children (tempting as it might be). And what's with the double standard? It sounds like if the game was on the PS3 and/or 360, they wouldn't care a bit.

Apparently I'm not the only one who finds this ridiculous, as mediawatch-uk reports:

"Within hours of these remarks being published a rain of hostile emails from gamers poured into our office telling us to "shut the f*** up", suggesting that we have "got our knickers in a twist", demanding, as though we were on trial for an heinous crime, to know what right we had to impose our "narrow minded bigotry" on them and stopping them playing an "adult" game of their choice. 

Others, of a more sober character, asked reasonably why we should be so concerned about games when there was so much violence in films and on television!  We were also accused us of being "cowards" for not responding properly to belligerent strictures and one ‘emailer' observed glibly that "violent acts are not a symptom of video games and films, but rather the human condition".  Another said: "If you don't like violent content, don't view or use it". 

Others thanked us cynically for drawing attention to the game saying they would rush out and buy it as soon as it was available.  Yet others told us to focus on retailers and said that parents should safeguard their children from "adult" games."

They also remind the BBFC (their ratings board) received "abusive and incoherent" protests from gamers who disagreed with their decision to reject the game Manhunt II - a decision that was subsequently overturned on appeal."

It's time like this I remember exactly why I love the gaming industry so much. Gamers, bless your little hearts.