Carmageddon Developer Takes Aim

Claimimg adults should be allowed to choose the toys they play with, Carmageddon II publisher SCi chided the British ratings board this week for delaying the release of a four minute trailer for the game.

Calling the delay as case of “sour grapes” (the ratings board tried unsuccessfully to block the sale of SCi's release last year of the game's first iteration Carmageddon), SCi's CEO released a statement expressing frustration and anger.

“This repeat performance of last years delaying tactics can only be a result of severe ‘sour grapes' at the BBFC for losing the Appeal last year. Why don't they just accept that on that particular submission they made a mistake and move on? The latest reason for delay is that they want to put the demo to a panel of ‘child psychologists' to determine what damage it might do. This is ludicrous – we're requesting an 18 certificate, which means this version is designed for adults. Surely the best evidence of ‘potential' damage are the FACTS. The fact is that the original has sold 600,000 copies throughout the world. Nobody has been ‘damaged'. On the contrary, we've received literally sack loads of letters saying how much everyone loves the game and how highly entertaining it is. A game doesn't go to the number one chart position and win ‘Game of the Year' unless it's a hugely popular and entertaining work. Why don't they stop wasting tax payers money with such ridiculous practices.”

And so the battle goes on.

GameSpot UK has been covering this story; interested readers are advised to monitor that site for continued updates on the debate.

SCi has decided to release an ELSPA 15 rated green blood version on November 6 instead of both the 15 ELSPA and 18 (red blood) BBFC rated versions simultaneously.