MADD is an organization created specifically to discourage drunk driving. A game in development called Booze Cruise is being designed to discourage drunk driving as well. Seems like these two should get along, right?

It turns out MADD Canada isn’t happy about the game. Booze Cruise is being developed by University of Calgary professor Jim Parker and recently received funding from the U.S. Army. According to Parker, the game is supposed to let people experience what it’s like to drive drunk -- without the inherent danger, of course -- so they can see just how badly their judgment and reaction time are impaired in that state. The CEO of MADD’s Canadian branch, Andrew Murie, responded with negativity.

"We’ve spent decades telling people not to drink and drive, and this simulator, one of the skills it teaches is to drink so much, and then drive," Murie said.

This isn’t the first time MADD has spoken out against a game that showed the negative impact of drunk driving. When Grand Theft Auto IV was released last year, the group called for the game to be given an "Adults Only" rating because the main character could consume a lot of alcohol and then get behind the wheel of a car (even though driving and even walking were near impossible in this state). MADD’s comments regarding that matter suggest that their issue doesn’t rest with a game’s design, but with any game that depicts drunk driving at all:

"Drunk driving is not a game, and it is not a joke. Drunk driving is a choice, a violent crime, and it is also 100 percent preventable."

It’s looking like the real issue here is that the word "game" is being tossed around quite liberally to describe what is essentially an educational tool. "Booze Cruise," despite its amiable title, doesn’t sound much different than a pamphlet or a public service announcement, designed to educate and inform users. Still, it does include "distractions" that include zombies, Elvis, and pink elephants, which cost the player points if run into; so it’s not like this is the most accurate depiction of driving under the influence.

TGR has contacted MADD for comment, but has not heard back from the organization. We’ll be sure to relay their side of the issue if they do respond.