In recent gaming years, it’s not too uncommon for the controversies associated with a game to overshadow the actual game. There are some cases where it happens by chance and others that are clever marketing moves to get us talking about the games. So if you want to make your game the talk of the town, here are seven ways to make your game controversial.

7. Stealing likeness.

No Doubt(Band Hero). Nirvana(Guitar Hero)

Big name celebrities definitely add star power to your game. But what if you can’t afford them, or they just don’t want to be in your game? Well you put them in anyway and await the lawsuits. Or you can go the Kurt Cobain – Guitar Hero 5 route and just piss people off. Either way, it’s a sure fire way to get people talking about you, and suing you.

6. Censor it

What if your game is already controversial but you’re greedy and want more buzz? Censor it. Australia is doing it right now with the Left 4 Dead 2 and Alien vs. Predator- they are too violent for the folks down under. Nintendo has been censoring games since the dawn of time. They censor things like the expected nudity but also weird things like blood color. Example: Vodka Drunkinski!

5. Hitting close too home.

One of the hot topics right now is the ‘No Russian’ mission in Modern Warfare 2. Sometimes games do something that’s controversial for the sake of being controversial. ‘No Russian’ is a level where you shoot up an airport, killing hundreds of civilians. There is very little context to the mission and while it does affect the game, you can’t help but wonder how much of it was it put in for that “WOW” factor.

4. Addiction

Just because you don’t want to stop doesn’t mean you’re addicted to it. Or does it? Gamers are often accused of being addicted to gaming, none more so than frequent players of MMORPG’s. Nothing makes a game clinically hotter than giving it a disease. Sick days are usually paid, right?

3. Violence

It’s been a long standing belief that video games are making America’s youth violent killing machines; I believe the words murder simulator come to mind. Big weapons, violent deaths, blood on the screen are all ways to get noticed. However, this can backfire too. Games like Manhunt and Postal have been banned for their excessive violence.

2. Racism

Video games haven’t always been the most responsible when it comes to representing minorities. Characters are often over-the-top and some people find them offensive. The Cole Train baby would be an example. Games like RE:5 have been accused of being racist because the majority of the zombies are African.

1. Sex

Let’s face it, Sex scares us. Not us as gamers, but as the American media. Nothing and I repeat nothing can get coverage like a good ole’ fashioned sex scene in a video game. Mass Effect was persecuted for having an optional sex scene. And GTA caught some heat for their hot coffee mod. Sex sells though and while yes it is controversial, it’s also gonna sell your game.