Microsoft Says 'No' To Horror Game That's Apparently 'Too Crazy For Xbox'

That game looks like trash. I'm surprised sony is allowing it.

Browsing the steam reviews and it's hard to find a review that has something to say about the game or has played a substantial amount of the game (most were 1-2 hours played). It is clearly a cheap shovelware with an absurd concept that the devs are trying to claim is "too crazy" for some platforms.

I have a soft spot for bad games (looking forward to playing the king kong game) but this looks like the gaming version of clickbait. $8 is pretty steep for what is comparable to many mindless free mobile games.

Christmas Massacre: for the players.

Yeesh, I won't miss this one anyway. I like horror movies and slashers, especially ones in a Christmas setting. But I don't think I'd want to be the one doing the slashing In a game.

@Rioichi that's why it surprises me even nintendo said no. The eshop is full of some of the worst shovelware.

Bizarre looking game. Interesting. But oh well, we can't have a murderer as a protagonist. Stupid but it is what it is.

Times have changed! 20 years ago this would be fine. Manhunt was sick game, that came Xbox!! It sell for about £70-£100 on Ebay today. I have Playstation version.

Hadn't heard of this but really like the look of it. Glad Sony is being sensible for a change but disappointed in xbox/nintendo...

This looks horrible! Defo not one for my catalogues of shame...

Well it's their right to. I like the style, I just think it's another one of those edgelord games made by questionable folk.

@Pimpernel Not really, more things got banned back then and Manhunt was highly controversial. It got banned in several countries. I'd argue it's quite tame by today's standards, but the context of that game was the important thing.

This game seems a little more silly by comparison so I don't know how to feel about it, it has that retro look and feel of PS1 era shock value.

Do we have any confirmation from Microsoft or Nintendo that the game was rejected? If the only source is the dev studio itself, then it is entirely possible that the game was never intended to be released on Xbox or Switch and they decided to say it was rejected as a marketing stunt.

Xbox denied Postal Brain Damaged too.

This looks like an early 90's schlock mass murder movie in video game form.

I'm kind of intrigued ha

I mean, I can't blame Xbox. It's essentially a mass murder simulator

But Agony is fine?

@Rioichi Actually Nintendo out of the big 3 are the easiest to please as they let almost anything on the Switch and 9/10 completely uncut as well.

@Rioichi nintendo allowed games like "Hentai vs evil" and "waifus uncovered." How much content moderation are they actually doing?

But yes it's not surprising that a terrorist sim would not be frowned upon.

I don’t think this game is currently rated by ESRB or PEGI and that’s usually why Nintendo rejects games. 90% of the time if not 100% of the time. But I’ve seen devs conveniently ignore this BTW.

Anyway, I can’t speak to Xbox except they usually approve with censorship.I suspect a similar issue on Xbox.

Garbage game but why censor adults to what they want to try out or play

Microsoft says no, I say yes. I'll play it on the PS5. Lol.

Lol wow, that game looks awful, yet I can't help be intrigued by how bad it looks,. 🤣

After watching the trailer, the game is disgusting. It is almost a mass murder simulator with what looks like school massacre levels from my brief watch. What is wrong with people?

Apparently part of the "game" is taking out children so I can see why Microsoft and Nintendo wouldn't want anything to do with this, and along with this media attention, I could see Sony say "Actually, no thanks".

Prior games were allowed and Nintendo is not shy about crap like this. I smell exclusivity + excuse

These game looks like trash. Its 2023 I don't get the fascination with playing games that look like they were made in 1995. I don't usually agree with Xbox blocking games but it was a good call on this one. School massacres are not cool and shouldn't be in games that kids will no doubt sneak around less tech savoy parents and be playing.

Xbox went soft so they can suck up to Nintendo.

Judging by that trailer I'd call this quality control lol

Description sounds like Manhunt but with a Christmas theme. So not surprising that some platforms are restricting it. Manhunt was barely allowed before….

Well, I watched the trailer and one scene clearly takes place in a school. it says, Larry was spotted, then an escape timer pops up letting you know you have this much time to slaughter these school children, I guess living near sandy hook in Connecticut I don’t see the 80s slasher vibes I see an edgelord simulator. It reminds me of that colombine game made in rpg maker that was around while I was in high school 99-03

i always hated how console babies it’s user base , typical W for PC gaming

Why would xbox say no? They already get forgotten by some publishers.

@GalacticBreakdown it's hilarious that you say 1-2 hours is just the game length after insisting that it is not shovelware. So it's the same length as every other shovelware game, great.

It's not surprising that that is all the longer this game is because it clearly going for the sharknado effect where the concept is so ridiculous and bad that people will check it out. (Also a classic shovelware technique)

Love ps1 and horror by the way. This doesnt look to achieve either.

@GalacticBreakdown I hadn't even heard of puppet combo but thanks to your comments and this article I just picked up nun massacre and it's really good. This is now on my wishlist and murder house is next. Any other recommendations?

I mean switch is a kids console so I understand that ,with regards to xbox its an American company ,and those guys don't really need anymore encouragement, so maybe thats why ,dunno, is this comment gonna get deleted, maybe 😂

I’m not for censorship, but in this case well done Xbox and Nintendo.

My job includes documenting murders and terror attacks. I can say with some authority that this type of game isn’t doing any good for anyone. The trailer alone is garbage.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but some people here need to get a grip of reality and take a break from the internet and video games. Life is beautiful, but I have seen first hand its darkest parts. And this game just glorifies it for money and internet clout. It’s pathetic.

@TheSimulator it’s not about the adults. If this censorship stops one child from playing this game, then it was worth it. Adults can buy a PC and play it if they must.

@GunValkyria who cares about the $$$?

If glorifying the mass murder of kids is only for money then they can take that money and shove it.

@Kienda odd to start by saying your not for censorship then completely condone it for this game. Where do you draw the line? Is this game really any worse than some thing much more realistic like gtav were you can happily murder as many people as you want. Or maybe guns shouldn't be depicted in any game? Or is it purely because the victims are poorly rendered children that has caused you such offence? If you don't like it, don't play it but there's no need for you to push your agenda onto others who may enjoy these games as the entertainment they are...

@Pimpernel

Times have changed! 20 years ago this would be fine. Manhunt was sick game, that came Xbox!! It sell for about £70-£100 on Ebay today. I have Playstation version.

Go to YouTube, find a compilation video of Mortal Kombat 11's fatalities and come back and tell me times have changed again with a straight face.

@Deljo don’t start on CoD, Halo, Starfield, Fortnite, Apex, OW2 and so on that all advocate killing.

But a silly little game is too far!!

@Kienda so I hope you don’t watch John wick or play gta ***** just stay away from rated r movies and mature games

@Deljo

First, I don’t have an “agenda”. I have always advocated that video games don’t make mass murderers. I’ve even spoken with politicians about this because my line of work.

Does this mean video games have no affect on people? No.

Second, I’m not contradicting myself by saying I am unfavourable of censorship but am in favour of this game being limited. There is a thing called nuance in language. I’ve not called for this game to be banned or that it shouldn’t exist but that doesn’t mean it should be available on every platform.

YouTube, for example, doesn’t allow certain types of content. Porn, extreme violence, etc. That isn’t “censorship”, it’s the responsible thing to do for the platform. I’m not in favour of them censoring words and opinions they don’t agree with. That’s the difference.

Just because you or I can play this game for laughs doesn’t mean everyone can or should.

This alone is why it is important for platform holders like Xbox to limit extreme content on their platform. And despite this games poor graphics, it is extreme content.

It should also lead developers to think, “what was the point of us making this game?” And players to question whether they should be spending their time on something so mindless.

There are better things to do in life than play garbage games. And I say that as an avid gamer whose played his fair share.

@TheSimulator calm down.

There is a big difference between John Wick and this.

@Kienda There's nothing nuanced about it, your against censorship until its something that in your mind goes to far and then your all for it. That's just contradiction. Just because you think it's a 'garbage' game doesn't mean others don't enjoy it and, as adults, are able to differentiate between fiction and reality. The game is appropriately age rated so if children are buying it that's on the parents, for anyone else it's a simply choice - if you don't like it then don't buy it

@Deljo its a weird flex to say you enjoy mass murdering children in video games

@Sakai that's a strange take on it... I said that others (myself included) enjoy these games not specifically murdering polygons that vaguely resemble children. Again, if your offended by it don't play it. It really should be that simple

@Deljo Your words not mine, I think it just shows you as a deeply troubled individual

@Sakai 🤣🤣🤣 OK buddy

@Sakai it's OK buddy, no-ones forcing you to play it. Just leave it for the adults and you'll be fine 😁

@Deljo Enjoy it i guess? Its really not the flex you seem to think it is LOL. Deeply troubled indeed

@Sakai not sure what 'flex' you think I made but thankyou, I hope it's as good as their other horror titles 👍

@Markatron84 Mortal Kombat not realistic. It over the top violence and gore. Manhunt realistic. You can murder someone with a carrier bag. Manhunt you making snuff film. Snuff film is illegal.

@Pimpernel can't argue with that. The PS2 and its Emotion Engine CPU delivered realism that is still unparalleled to this day 🙄

@Markatron84 the concept of the game realistic, not the graphics! You think Mortal Kombat fatalities are realistic?? You watch too much movies!! 😂😂

@Markatron84 read today The Simpson’s are removing the scene of Homer strangling Bart!!
Like i say, times changed!!

Idiotic violence aside, I miss when all these digital video game stores weren't full of shovelware. Steam Greenlight was a mistake.

It doesn't look very good, but why is this bad but it's okay to go on a shooting spree in GTA?