(3) How should sex be handled in video games?
Most video game characters still fall into the uncanny valley, so watching them get it on is really not an appealing sight, no matter what Tracy Jordan might claim to have accomplished.
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Ah, sex in videogames. I haven't the slightest clue on how it should be handled, honestly. For the most part, there's something inherently silly – even in the middle of a really serious, dramatic story – about two polygonal, uncanny valley lines of code doing the deed. It always comes across as a bit campy. But I would leave this one as a challenge for all the super talented game writers and devs out there to tackle. If you look at all the ways movies and TV handle it, I think that games will eventually get to the point where there's just as wide a range of presentations of sex.
I think sex should be handled in games the same way that I think it should be handled in film or TV. Sex is appropriate and even beneficial when it enhances the storyline. It is gratuitous sex that annoys me. If it doesn't need to be there, don't put it in. If it helps tell your story, then I'm OK with it, just give me some warning.
I tend to lean toward good storytelling in all media: books, movies, TV shows, games, even music videos. I'm not saying I'm above seeing some gratuitous sex—it feels good to be little lascivious sometimes—but as a general rule, I think *any* content needs to have reasonable context if it's going to make for an overall enjoyable entertainment experience. That said, I think we have a tendency to seriously overplay the importance/influence sexual content has on the people who are seeing it...and that there's a difference between sexual content and misogynistic content. In context, I'm all for the former; I wish people were better at distinguishing it from the latter.
This is something I've written quite a lot about at my blog, Sexy Videogameland, and in my GameSetWatch column, The Aberrant Gamer. Basically I think it depends on context -- but games that aim for maturity should handle sex in a mature way and not shy away from it or, conversely, exploit it. I also think that the idea of making sex and relationships into 'just another game mechanic' dehumanizes it; I'd like to see it done intuitively.
Sex in games needs to be, well, sexy. Pixelated breasts aren't exactly hot and games still lack that sense of reality to make a sex scene titillating or meaningful to the storyline.
It would be nice to see a wider variety of situations of a sexual nature - things that were 'mature' in an emotional sense, not in a 'look at that cleavage!' sense. On the other hand, few games are great at things like character and story development, which I think are needed before you can have meaningful sex that isn't there simply for pixelated titillation.
I think there is no reason why sex can't be in games that are for mature, adult audiences. I think unfortunately it can sometimes stiffle some game developers that feel it should be part of the game. Then of course there is the "put sex in the game just for the sake of having sex in a game" route. I can live without that. I want sex in my "mature" games only if the story calls for it. Not just for the guys either, the women like sex too.
I feel that sex should only be included in games if it's an essential part of the story or experience (i.e. no sex mini-games). However, no matter how sex is used, developers still have to tread carefully. As we saw, something as tastefully and artfully done like in "Mass Effect" was not free from outcry. But it would be great to see more games take that risk and use sex in a more mature and serious way to tell a story and connect us with the game's characters.
I think narrative-driven games like Mass Effect proved that sexuality can be handled maturely and provide context to a character's emotional state – "emotion" being the key word. I remember finishing Metal Gear Solid 3 and feeling emotionally exhausted by the love story. I'm quite happy with sex in games taking a supporting role to a character arc, but it would be nice to see more freedom of expression, visually. Love scenes can be artistic and powerful. I would love a game version of Outlander... time travel, epic bloody Scottish clan wars, and an intimate relationship between the main characters (like, every three pages kind of intimate).
Reader Comments (5)
All I have to say is that its KICK ASS that girls are getting more of a voice in gaming! I know you guys have been out their and finally you are getting more and more credit. You encourage other girls to come out and start some more hard core gaming! I am an old school gamer myself (N64 and back), but i am getting more into the newer stuff. Keep your voices heard girls!! I work for a website called GameZombie and we would love your input... http://www.gamezombie.tv/ ... keep it up girls!!
That's interesting, nmsillak, because I'm a female gamer who plays male characters far more than female ones. In MMOs and RPGs I typically create male characters before even considering a female one. (Heck, even my screen name is named after one of my male characters) Though Lara Croft is my favorite female action-adventure character, I adore Prince of Persia (well, before his recent re-design) and Altair much more. As far as MMOs and RPGs go... My male and female friends, as well as my mom and brother, tend to create characters of both genders. I think my mom is the only one who does not regularly play as a character of the opposite gender. The rest of us are almost always playing characters of the opposite sex. I don't think it's weird or creepy at all.
Well I think there are a LOT more of us than one thinks. I personally just smirk to myself when I am sitting within a group of guys who are talking about their games etc. And how girls don't play (ie. WoW) and I sit there and think to myself, ya... and it was probably ME that just whooped your butt last ***ht in the Badlands. Girls just don't have the need to brag as much, we get more satisfaction out of knowing we are WAY stronger and menacing than one might think. Well that is my philosophy and reasoning anyway. haha Maybe someone could answer this one though. WHY oh WHY do so many men feel the urge and need to make female Characters? It is kind of creepy!! I don't make male ones, and don't know any girls who do!
Not everyone wants to play games where your reason for play is to kill. Try ClubPonyPals.com. Free to play, addictive, cute art and aimed at kids -- and their moms.
Good to see that normal looking women (and not stick figures) are into gaming. We need more of them.