Sex is natural; sex is fun. Does that mean it should be included in video games? Sound off in the comments section below.
Utter the phrase, "sex in video games," and you're likely to get a torrent of heated opinions from both video game players and people who've never touched a game controller. Some nerves are still raw over 2005's highly publicized Grand Theft Auto "hot coffee" scandal, when savvy players discovered a deleted sex scene in the game's code. The resulting firestorm launched political protests and several lawsuits, leading publisher Rockstar to offer a rebate to offended gamers (the game sold over 21 million copies, and 2,700 people took advantage of the offer).
More recently, a 2007 game called 'Mass Effect' came under fire on Fox News, thanks to a steamy scene between a human and an alien, which had pundits on both sides talking for months.
Even with all of the controversy, game makers are certainly not shying away from adding explicit content to their productions. Vocal opponents might say it's only going to get "worse." This year alone, there are at least three major games likely to include some not-safe-for-kids antics -- 'Mass Effect 2,' 'Dragon Age' and 'Alpha Protocol' -- will all include some kind of adult sexual content, and if they're successful, we're certain more will follow suit.
Greg Zeschuk, co-founder of BioWare, the company responsible for the 'M'-Rated Dragon Age and the Mass Effect games, says that including sex is just the evolution of video games from a kids-only medium to something more serious and sophisticated.
Dragon Age: Origins, another role-playing game by the creators of Mass Effect, will also contain sex scene that players can choose to participate in. The game arrives later this year, and we're sure that scenes (like the one pictured above) will raise eyebrows once the game hits the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in October.
Brief History of Sex in Games
Custer's Revenge (1982)
This adults-only game for the Atari starred General Custer, who wearing only a hat, boots, gloves and handkerchief, must avoid an onslaught of arrows to have his way with a Native American woman named "Revenge."
This game received backlash from women's, anti-porn groups and Native American special interest groups who deemed the adult 8-bit game offensive.
Mystique
Leisure Suit Larry (1987-present)
Leisure Suit Larry is a loser who can't ever seem to get lucky (or stay lucky), even after 20-something years of giving it his best effort. And that's what these games area all about -- trying to bag buxom babes using by posing, competing in fashion shows or complete corny mini-games like guiding a sperm safely through rows of eggs.
Lara Croft Tomb Raider (1996-present)Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
In 2005, the makers of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (released in '04) found themselves in the middle of a world-wide controversy after someone discovered a sex mini-game hidden in the code.
The mini-game, nick-named 'Hot Coffee' game, caused an uproar in the media, followed by protests and several lawsuits.
Lara Croft hit the scene in 1996, in the era when 3-D graphics in games were coming of age. In Lara's case, that meant she was able to sport large bosoms, the likes of which had never been seen before in games.
After the first two Tomb Raider games hit in the '90s, a modder created a 'Nude Raider' patch which, if installed, would render Lara in the buff in the game. The game's developer Core sued the responsible parties, but that hasn't stopped copycats from creating nude patches for almost every Tomb Raider game since.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
In 2005, the makers of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (released in '04) found themselves in the middle of a world-wide controversy after someone discovered a sex mini-game hidden in the code.
The mini-game, nick-named 'Hot Coffee' game, caused an uproar in the media, followed by protests and several lawsuits.
God of War II
One could, arguably, say that the Hot Coffee incident emboldened game makers to add steamier scenes into their products -- with full disclosure of course.
God of War II took full advantage of this, adding a sex mini-game that, if completed, restores protagonist Kratos' health entirely.
The PSP spin-off, God of War: Chains of Olympus also included a sex mini-game (image above) with the same restorative benefits.
Mass Effect (2007)
The media lit up after a Fox News guest said this sci-fi role-playing game featured graphic sex and full frontal nudity. While players can choose to engage in an erotic scene with a blue alien named Liara, it's just as tame as sex scenes on a network TV show.
Dragon Age: Origins 2009
Dragon Age: Origins, another role-playing game by the creators of Mass Effect, will also contain sex scene that players can choose to participate in. The game arrives later this year, and we're sure that scenes (like the one pictured above) will raise eyebrows once the game hits the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in October.
"I think from our perspective we want to reflect real human relationships... And if that involves some sort of intimate scenes, we want to provide those for the player," Zeschuk says.
In another recent interview, Alpha Protocol lead designer Chris Avellone, also defends his decision to include sex in his game by saying it adds a level of depth to the interaction between two characters.
"I think it's an important step, and it's not sex for sex's sake, but it's part of human interaction that makes you more involved in the game world and your characters," he says. "Just like in the real world, sex runs the range from entertainment to a symbol of the depth of feeling between two people, and not having that reflected in a role-playing experience feels does RPGs an injustice."
It's important to point out that all the games mentioned this piece are 'M' for Mature Rating (the video game equivalent of an 'R'-rated movie), meaning that the video game ratings board, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), has deemed them appropriate for ages 17 and older. So it's worth comparing the appropriateness of sex in games to what the average 17-year-old is seeing on premium TV or in movie theaters on a regular basis.
On the other side of the equation, a recent survey found that -- despite these facts -- parents still seem more concerned about sex in games than violence in games.
In the unscientific poll, posted on WhatTheyPlay.com, people were asked which was more offensive in games: a severed head, men kissing, use of profanity or heterosexual sex. Heterosexual acts between a man and a woman were deemed the most offensive (37%), followed by men kissing (27%) and then a severed head at 26%.
We also see this sentiment echoed in the video game ratings board, which has asked developers to cut out sex-scenes -- even in M-rated games -- to make them palatable for U.S. audiences.
"I worked on Fahrenheit (known as Indigo Prophecy in the States) and had to cut the sex scenes out of the game for the U.S.," said Constantine Hantzopoulos told ArsTechnica. "Yes, I was the guy that did that. It sucked because I don't believe in that, right. But you've got to do what you've got to do."
So how much is too much sex? That answer will largely depend on who is playing the games. Game creators make a compelling argument for including sex in games, when appropriate. Mature scenes can add to character development, and it punctuates that games aren't just for kids anymore -- they've evolved into a more mature entertainment medium (stats show the average gamer is now age 35), competing directly with TV and box office sales.
It's unrealistic to expect that video games won't suffer any more growing pains at the hands of concerned citizens -- that should be expected. However, as this younger generation of devoted gamers turns into parents and politicians, we're certain to see a much different reception for gaming as an entertainment art form.
Related:
- Seven Games Kids Should Avoid
- The Real Video Game Danger: They're Too Safe?
- Video Game Violence Reality Check
Libe Goad is the Editor-in-Chief of AOL's GameDaily.com and Playsavvy.com, and has written about gaming and technology for the past decade. Follow her at twitter.com/libe_goad.
Reader Comments (123)
This is why games have things called, "Ratings". How is it, that an "R" Rated movie can be released into Theaters with Torture, Sex, Graphic Violence, Language, and Drug Use...and yet it just comes natural. There aren't any big stories about the movie on News Broadcasts, there aren't any parents outraged at the Director and Studio, no Lawsuits attempted in order to deface the people involved....nothing. Yet once an "M" Rated game has Sexual Material, Drug Use, Graphic Violence, and other Suggestive Themes....people get caught up in a crazed panic. If an "R" Rated Movie can show the material, an "M" Rated Game should be able to do the same. What I really don't understand, is how every Parent, Child, Lawyer, and Protester knows that kids can see much more Graphic Sexual Acts anytime passed 10 P.M. on Cinemax and HBO. The Graphic Violence, of course, is shown much earlier in the day on those channels, along with the News Broadcasting channels. The so called, "Grown-Ups" in this Country....need to "Grow-Up", and learn that not EVERYTHING is going to be suitable for Children, not EVERYTHING is going to follow the rules and "laws" written in Religious Do***ents, not EVERYTHING is going to please you. They need to start spending more time with their kids, talk to them, educate them or whatever it is they choose to do, and stop blaming everyone else for what kids see, do, and hear. It's not our fault and it definetly isn't our problem.
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They think the US games are bad! Hahaha. They should go play a hentai game. Seriously.... Anyway, they should make games for everyone, and if some people want a little something something in their game, they should be able to have it, and not be held down because of some ignorant parents buy their young kids M rated games. It's not like they are the ones buying it, it's the parents. Sides, stores won't sell it to minors. Just pay attention to the ratings and everyone should be fine....
there are nudists cleaning services in las vegas---this seems extreme to those whom dont share or value such explicit views-- its like you could be born in any country and be there an just scream out loud you own the streets, the whole place and have a forsaken right with no family ---we have heard of your family birth right but a right to citizenship by birth in any country does not mean you own that place its streets outside etc.
if thats your preference scene sex clubs are legal in places like canada and las vegas--this seems like outright form of legal prostitution---As two people born in orlando Fl working for a canadian born international harvester as a butler they told it all on a television do***entary talk show
They're putting sex in video play because there is a population out there given this opportunity will have the abiltiy to watch others sexually, real or imaginary. They can, also, get into the role playing! It's stimulating for them. Your life sucks, but your characters' life - hmmmmmmmmm..... Article: "I think it's an important step, and it's not sex for sex's sake, but it's part of human interaction that makes you more involved in the game world and your characters," he says. "Just like in the real world, sex runs the range from entertainment to a symbol of the depth of feeling between two people, and not having that reflected in a role-playing experience...does RPGs an injustice."------ Yes, some must have the real RPG feel experience. --------- IT'S THE COMPLETE GAMING EXPERIENCE! Too funny to be taken seriously! So many crap games out there; they need to get more creative than that for some! It will depend on what 'someone' wants in a game is all as well as how badly their life sucks as to whether wanting a challenge or the 'complete RPG feel'... And, why do they ask parents about this ****e anyway! Any normal parent wants their child to have a childhood and be a child.
Who the **** is any one to deny freedom of speech?If ya don't like it,that's just YOU!!What now ya prude?Did your life just fall apart when you realized that people have an opinion and desires that follow your wacky code of "conduct because your biblical beliefs trained you to hate others?That's Judaism!"I say this....Choose your religion,not mine.Be peaceful to others that have freedom of choice.And when you choose to hate...can you please remember that all war is based on religion other that civil war!!?And also remember that the civil war won the right to free speech.(That's why every mother ****** wants to live in the U.S!!!!!If ya don't like it,**** OFF Ya COMMY!!!!!
look if as a parent you shouldnt be buying M rated games for your kids, if you do then you have no room to complain. i've seen it first hand a kid picks out an M raited game mom knows nothing about it the clerk warns the mom about the content in the game kid sreames and throws a tantrum and the mom buys the game just to get her son to stop. thats the type of think that gets me upset is the lazy parent not careing and then complaining about the game later. as a 25 year old guy i play most types of games i;ve been around sence the begging of vidio games i enjoy fun games and if i want to blow up random things and people in a game i should have the right to, if i want a game with nudity or sex i should have the same right im old enuf to buy it. i dont let my 7 year old neice play any of my games cus i know better she cries about it but thats just something she has to realize is games like that arn't for kids. this argument will never go away, i just hope that all the media personel and parents get it that the gaming companies dont make the M games for kids but for there older players that know its a game and not real.
If you don't like it then don't play it, but don't condemn other people for their taste in stuff. I hate how in today's world everyone is so worried about what everyone else is doing.
Yay! Once again, GameDaily blows it by not telling the whole story and simply trying to rile up the conservative parents. You compare "R" movies to "M" games, and then mention kids seeing them on TV. Certainly not unedited. I saw "Kramer vs. Kramer" as a kid, in a theater, and with a frontal shot of a nude woman standing in a hallway, that 1979 movie that won all of the major awards and received a PG rating, had more nudity in it than "Mass Effect." If Kramer vs. Kramer is PG for nudity, then Mass Effect was "E for Everybody" because it didn't show anything you can't see on a CONSERVATIVE California beach. PLEASE, if you're going to pretend to tell the truth, try a little harder by considering context, and telling the whole story.