When you think of Take-Two, (the parent of Rockstar Games), the first things that come into many minds about the company are games such as Grand Theft Auto, ManHunt, or Bully–all M-rated games.
But the hard exterior of Take-Two also has a fuzzy warm underside in the form of its casual game division, 2K Play.
It turns out that its Carnival Games franchise has shipped more than a million units worldwide and took the number five spot in January for Wii games according to NPD Group. To capitalize on the success on the Carnival Games, Take-Two Interactive has announced that it will be releasing Carnival Games for the DS and the new Carnival Games: Mini-Golf for the Wii this summer.
Steve Lux, vice president of business development for the 2K Play label said:
"The consumer response to Carnival Games has been extraordinary. The game resonates with every demographic and the feedback we have received from moms, dads, kids and grandparents shows Carnival Games as one of the drivers of family game time. Our new games build on the strength of the first title and will promote this growing trend."
Did anyone catch what Lux just said? He was referring to "moms, dads, kids and grandparents," as the prime proponents of the games. Of course the irony of the situation is that these demographics are the very ones who have been wrapped up in the controversy surrounding some of the violent games that Take-Two has published.
Maybe what this shows is that you can have your cake and eat it too if you’re careful. So don’t forget to pick up a copy of the "E" rated Carnival Games when you get your copy of the "M" rated Grand Theft Auto IV.
You’re sure to get a double take from the counter person when you bring those games up to the cash register.
