Sex and Video Games

Jan. 22 9:48 PM by NuyoRiqueña

With recent talks about Mass Effect and its supposed graphic content, I couldn't help but take a (slightly) serious moment to look into the hype surrounding sex and video games. Naturally I figured this hot topic was something I could get into since most of us enjoy both. I consider myself pretty, intelligent so I started researching all the negativity regarding sexual content in video games.

Let me start by saying, I do not want to get into a pissing match over censorship, because quite frankly, games already have ratings and censors. So, then why bring this issue up? So that I can ask why it is people feel the need to complain about a game with explicit content when it is already rated 'M' for 'Mature.' I don't know about you but I am a bit exhausted with the blame game as opposed to people taking some personal responsibility. [Uh-oh, I feel a soap box coming...] The only two people in this video that attempted to defend the game were quickly over looked and quieted. And when Cooper Lawrence said "Darling..." to Keighly - what disrespect! Let him say that to her and he would be a chauvinist. Oh and can I just add: none of the panelist play video games!

In this humble gamers opinion, taking sexual innuendos and even graphic, straight to the point sexual content out of M- or AO-Rated Games is the same as taking the sex scenes out of a R- or X-Rated movie. A panelist suggesting that Mass Effect should be an AO rating when it is equivalent to a PG-13 or R rating in movies, is absurd. Another panelist stated it was Star Wars meets Debbie Does Dallas!

Maybe I am too liberal but I laughed when I saw the 'Hot Coffee' scenes from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and while I always wanted Mass Effect, I rushed out to buy it when I heard about the explicit scenes. I love Mario but sometimes I want something a little more risqué.

So what do you think? Am I wrong to be a little upset at the barrage our games get from people who know relatively nothing about the games they attack?

Comments

I feel sorry for homie that was trying to defend the game...he never got a chance. These folks are always looking to attack games. I'd love to see them at the next Gamers United Rally.....

Like I said on AIM eariler. This is a very touchy subject. Where gamers like you and myself might not be offended by something so stupid.. Soccer moms might have a fit.
The Gaming Industry has to be careful as to what they do and don't put into games. This kinda ties into Britini's posts. Even with the ESRB kids still get ahold of M rated games because of stupid parents or stupid clerks. But if you're going to blame video games for showing sex or violence to a kid -- blame movies too. Oh wait! Movies are protected by a law.

Why can't games have that :(

First off: what a pathetic attempt at a debate of ideas, they completely cut Geoff off. The lady was ridiculous, she wrote some book and has never played the game and somehow she was deemed qualified for this, is that a joke? Two minutes of ass crack is nothing compared to what you see on basic cable, magazines, and the internet. Parents need to realize they can't shelter their kids from reality forever. I totally get the violence argument, I get it, violence is wrong. But sex in a M game? I mean sex is real, its natural, and every human being on the planet is here as a result of it. This game is rated M, what more do they want? I could go on for days with how insane this is, but I won't. I'd like to see an actual 'fair and balanced' debate on this. One that last more than 2 minutes and doesn't involve some cow trying to push a book. If we can have an actual exchange of ideas, so much more would be accomplished. Oh yeah, and the blond, as soon as she starks talking she says how Pandora's box is opened, kids can just find this stuff on the internet. Doesn't the fact that all these things are easily accessible on the internet make a debate over a video game seem a little pointless. And what is the cow even talking about with the nonsense over women simply being objects of desire and nothing more and how the man is trying to keep her down, that's a complete cop out of actually saying something relevant and/or intelligent. Wow I totally suck at being concise. O well, I blame video games for my lack of control in my writing. I'm gonna go play some Mass Effect and then beat a bitch, because I can't tell the difference from RL and games and because bitches aren't good for anything else. Am I right?

/rant

The problem is, though Geoff speaks to and for the gamers, he doesn't speak to what the parents want to hear... and that hurts us gamers. Despite how much I love the guy, it's true.

In addition, our problem becomes that these major networks are against video games. And when they make ridiculous pieces like this, it causes many gamers to lash out, "You know what would make me feel better? Killing Jack Thompson." This hurts us ten fold!

And the most unbelievable thign out of all of this is just how easy our ESRB rating system is (Giving it an AO... is she retarded? She doesn't even know what that would mean for the game!) to understand! A child could understand it.

But these news stations speak to what the parents want to hear: "It's not your fault, it's the artists fault for delving into material we deem wrong, and keep out of children's hands! It's not like your teenagers aren't currently watching your porns, or reading literature with far more violence!"

Oh, one more thing...

Shouldn't these people be experts if they're going to be on a panel discussing this? That would make it a viable debate.

Oh, and yes, you are right Nikole.

And the answer to your question BXA, people like Hilary Clinton and Jack Thompson would never allow that.

YOU'RE DAMNED RIGHT I WON'T!

Same old shit rehashed for the 1000th time.

My two cents: nothing original, parents need to stop sheltering their kids and just talk to them. It takes a lot of effort to keep children from seeing adult themes. It doesn't take any effort at all to know what kids might potentially see in the media, and say to them, "hey johnny, see all that?, ya that metric shit ton of fiction our society feeds on?, its not real. You pull that stupid shit in the real world, and either I or the cops are gonna kick your ass. Go eat your veggies."

I completely agree about the taking sexual content out of rated R movies and shit and everything you said. Video games are just like movies, but you can interact with them. So they can all go fuck themselves. I've said this hundreds of times, and I'll say it again. If you're a parent, LEARN how to control your kids and what their watching/doing/playing. but other than that... kids are gonna find this shit one way or another, so who honestly gives a fuck!? If they wanna watch porn, they're gonna watch porn. so if they just so happen to get a hold of a video game with this in it, who fuckin cares. most likely... YOU bought it for them. So deal with it. If you're too fuckin lazy to look at the ratings, then don't fuckin complain about it.

also... The bitch says something about "the kids are playing the games, obviously not the parents." Ummm... I'm sorry, but does she not realize that the majority of gamers are OLDER. My fucking dad plays for christ sakes.
God I hate people who open up their stupid mouths to bitch about stuff they don't know JACK SHIT about.

I actually wish there was more sex in games. The best part about sims is trying to get the chic in bed with you. That's all I ever did. and I'll fuckin admit. Ya.. I'm a perv, but it's the truth. There should be a game out where all you do is go around trying to fuck woman. I think there is one... like the playboy one or a couple others online, but there should be more console ones. I like games, I like porn, so why not put them both together. Sounds genius to me.
and if anyone has a problem with that, they can suck my ass. Mature games are not advertised to kids. Mario party and effing nintendogs is advertised to kids. parents are just too braindead and buy their kids whatever they bitch about wanting.
Do you buy them tickets to R rated movies? If you do, then you're cool... but you're a "bad parent" according to these douches. I think I'm getting all hypocritical... but it's freakin 4 am. I'm goin to sleep.

>.<
basically. I hate news people. I like porn. and I like video games.
yay

"A panelist suggesting that Mass Effect should be an AO rating when it is equivalent to a PG-13 or R rating in movies, is absurd."

Most intelligent thing I've read all day. They don't realize that, a side boob in movies = pg 13. Plus in the video game...... it's FUCKIN FAKE! For fucks sake!

I hate ignorant people.

basically. I hate news people. I like porn. and I like video games.
yay

amen to that.

When was the last time you saw a butt crack? Well i saw one last week and haven't been able to sleep ever since.

Partial nudity in video games must be put to an end TODAY.

God save our children from this cursed world.

Sex..butt cracks, my god, to be introduced to something so natural and biological at such a young age..makes me sick to my stomach.

yeah, no more partial nudity in video games. Only full nudity!

Well....this is FOX NEWS....if you want a one sided view and arrogant asshole news caster who laughes at her guests then watch fox news. According to me..those guys are all meanies.

I still haven't played mass effect :(

I find it funny that looking on the back of a video game box makes parenting harder. Not like there is a rating on the front of the box or anything. LOL what kind of world do we live in that actually interacting with your kids and knowing what they are doin is so hard and terrible. If your kid is not mature enough for the damn game DONT BUY IT ASSHOLE! AO rating is completely ridiculous for Mass Effect. PG13 movies are worse than Mass Effect imo. And how can u talk about something you have no idea about? Isnt that call ignorance? They act like there is 15 actual mins of game play with a big porn film spliced in the middle. Oh and btw who doesnt have a butt or a crack in it? and who hasent seen one anyway?

I have yet to play this game, but I will own it soon....But back to the subject matter, I find it stupid & hypocritical that they insist on blaming games with sexy scenes yet movies get a pass on the matter...I don't care it's not that serious & the media & all the other people thats complaining about, needs to shut up with all the crying....

I'm so sick of people who think that the world needs to be sanitized for kids. They need a wake up call: kids and parents aren't the only people who exist! If you don't want your child seeing something, then they have to be the ones to take control. They can't expect the world to change for them.

I am an adult so I want adult things in my games. I want sex, I want violence, and I want language. If the housemoms don't like it then don't leave it up to the game developers to censor your children, they are your children, you censor them. You choose what they can and cannot play. The rating system is on the box for a reason. But yeah, I am an adult and I want scandalous content in my games!

Instead of the media blaming game companies, blame the bad parenting. I have worked in a game store for over 4 years and you have no idea how many moms will come in to buy their 6 year old kids GTA, I will explain in detail the things their child will participate in and they just shrug me off and hush me. 6 year olds should NOT be shooting people in the head or sleeping with hookers in video games. And the excuse of "they will learn it all sometime or another" is a terribly excuse. Let your child be a child for as long as possible...these parents are allowing and almost forcing adult nature onto their children who are just learning how to tie their own shoes. Blame the ignorant parents and don't punish me by censoring my games.

And people ask me why I say I don't like most people. Theres why; they talk about shit they DON'T understand. I mean hell, of course you should blame the people who made the game because they obviously intended this game to be sold to 7 year olds.

Maybe if we got more parents in the world that didn't give in to everything the child wants then 8 year olds wouldn't be playing 13+ games.

I think I've already started ranting so I'll shut up for now.

This is pretty much the same post I posted on a thread at Gamepro about the same subject:

The problem seems to be somebody who knows next to nothing about video games and just wants a filler to complete the newscast and another someone who wants to push her book, objectiveness and real investigation of what you are talking about be damned. Fox News doesn't have a very good reputation in the end.

As for parents, why is it that it is ok for movies, books and even some plays to contain scenes that are much heavier in content than that one scene on Mass Effect but all of a sudden, it's not for video games? They all are forms or art and/or entertainment and every single one of them is rated. It is the parent's duty to know what their kids are playing and be informed about their activities. Complain about a video game that has one scene that is not even that explicit and getting all high and mighty seems like a very hypocritical thing to do.

Take an interest on what your kids are doing, actually talk to them and prepare them to face the world and if anyone thinks that this or that game is inappropriate, just plain don't buy it. The rating's are there for you to know what a product is about. I do know that it is impossible to know what kids are doing all the time but there are ways to raise your kids properly without starting all this nonsense.

Some games are targeted to specific audiences, very much like any other form of entertainment and content on most video games are pretty vanilla when compared to other forms of entertainment and that's the truth. People should actually get off their high moral horses and start doing what they are supposed to which is parenting instead of just complaining and wishing that everybody and everything else should do their jobs for them.

I can understand a parent's concern for their kids wellbeing but what baffles me is the fact that most people want the world to conform to their wants, the next person individuality and freedom of expression and choice be damned instead of actually taking charge. No one seems to be accountable for their actions anymore either. It's really sad.

I'm not even sure what their problem with the game is. It's rated Mature, but they're whole argument seems to be "It doesn't matter. Kids can play it anyway." So do they think that the game shouldn't exist at all?

By that logic, maybe we should do away with every movie that's rated PG13 or higher. Children under 13 could still be watching their parent's PG13 movies when their parents aren't home. So maybe they should allow movies rated PG13 to be made.

What about cars? You're not supposed to drive a car without a license, but people still do it anyway. So maybe they should stop making cars.

You can tell no body reads any one else's posts because they all say the same thing.

But I do agree with freeman1, the same can be said for drinking, or anything else those same parents indulge in. If you said lets ban the bottle because kids may get ahold of it, they may change their tune.

All types of people saw how unfair and uneducated Cooper was. In response to her stupidity people are fighting back on amazaon.com.

http[colin]//digg[dot]com/xbox/Gamers_Strike_Back_Against_Cooper_Lawrence_On_Amazon

GOD i love britini_martini i agree fully PORN & GAMES FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love all the comments on this. It makes me very happy :)
if anything... This is just free advertisement for Mass Effect. I've always wanted it, but now I want it even more.
I wonder how many copies they've sold since this whole thing came up

that digg Nikole linked is amazing. Everyone should tell EVERYONE they know to digg it. It needs to make front page.

My friend wants me to post this for him cuz the comments aren't working for him on here right now.

triggaz-
"wow!!! this is retarded. They are making it seem like its a bigger deal than it is. Who gives a fuck about nudity being in video games. In fact thats awesome. If parents really care so much then they should control wtf their child is playin. Plus i never seen or heard anything about The Sims being like this. Even tho the nudity is blurred out, u could still make love in so many different ways its ridiculous."

well i gotta give props 2 geoff, he did his best 2 defend justice and reason. and that bitch wit the book wouldnt even let him talk and laughed at him like he was some ignorant little kid....put me in a conversation wit her and il set her straight. those panelists r all idiots, especially the black woman (no racism, i jus think she was the dumbest one), at least the last guy was talking about less censorship and making parents do their jobs...sad how there were only 2 ppl there with the right idea in their heads...and neither of them got much of a say

Britini_Martini Today at 4:13:07 AM filter this thread show all "A panelist suggesting that Mass Effect should be an AO rating when it is equivalent to a PG-13 or R rating in movies, is absurd."

Most intelligent thing I've read all day. They don't realize that, a side boob in movies = pg 13. Plus in the video game...... it's FUCKIN FAKE! For fucks sake!

I hate ignorant people.

Britini_Martini Today at 4:13:07 AM filter this thread show all "A panelist suggesting that Mass Effect should be an AO rating when it is equivalent to a PG-13 or R rating in movies, is absurd."

Most intelligent thing I've read all day. They don't realize that, a side boob in movies = pg 13. Plus in the video game...... it's FUCKIN FAKE! For fucks sake!

I hate ignorant people.

The boobs in the movie could be fake too!?

sorry about the double post. I own and love Mass Effect it is a great game. The amount of nudity in this game barely even exists. I can't believe some people, I've seen more T & A on PG-13 movies than there was in this game. Did any of those panelists even know what they were talking about?!!? absolutely ridiculous. More people appealing to parents who don't parent to try and become popular. I think I just puked in my mouth a little.

I am sorry, I couldn't even finish watching the video. The lady on the left, what an unbelievably arrogant slumbitch! She hasn't played the game, she doesn't play games, who the fuck is she to say that kind of shit? (I 'm not being sexist or anything, just saying) You get worse in effing R-rated movies!!You get the almost the same in pg-13!! The game is rated M for Mature, which means you're not supposed to play it if you're under 17. Playboy isn't responsible if a 13-year old looks at one of their magazines! Game companies aren't responsible for the irresponsability and laziness of parents who are all too happy to buy their kids anything they want, yet complain when that game has something "bad" in it. And as far as "pandoras box" goes, Nikole is right- when compared to the internet, a pair of virtual boobs is quite trivial. And video games are for kids? Umm, dipshit- games are played by plenty of adults (me and my social studies proffessor play company of heroes online). Games are made by adults. And there is nothing wrong with adults who do what they enjoy doing. StarCraft is almost korea's national sport. If people are gonna bitch about this kind of stuff, they need to do two things first. First have experience with the topic. And second, give the same treatment to movies and other forms of entertainment. Say 300 vs Mass Effect. One rated R, the other rated the equivalent. 2 minutes of nudity in a 2 hour movie. 2 minutes of nudity in a 30+ hour game. Both have the same rating. As to the side boob, Tomb Raider had side boob and was pg-13. To counter this crap, people should buy the very games everyone makes such a fuss out of. Now I want Mass Effect even more- it's the next game I'm buying. Even if it is only in protest against fucking asshole like this. And yes, awesome digg...gives me ideas...

well, this wouldn't be a problem except that many still think of video games as something for kids. The idea of adults playing video games is such a foreign idea to many people. If that perception changed, it would solve a lot of the problems video games face.
funny digg, btw.

THere is no such thing as aliens. Therefore that boob didnt really exist.

Oops! My bad. I thought this was about "sex and video games." My mind is ALWAYS in the gutter.

i dont get the big deal in this... all because some soccer moms 10 yr old son popped a chub to half a boob on a video game that is rated M for a reason. i think its the parents fault. don't like the rating? tell the little shit to suffer or buy it for them and dont bitch!

LoL Luke Skywalker meets Debby Does Dallas

I have been bothered not by the discussion about censorship and ratings as much as I have by the utter false statements about full nudity, sex with anyone (you/they) want to, this game is porn (the DDD and Luke Skywalker Comment, not to mention the great line the guy on the end who says, "I have no idea about theese things." Thanks for showing your intelligence sir. Discussions, debates on violence, what kids can or can't be exposed to are fine but base it on something that you have accurately taken the time to research. I mean the main news woman says I did research BUT I am going to state it like it's the truth. I am in New Orleans and FOX was the same network that said the flooding had made it 10 miles futher than it did and I sat and cried thinking that I just lost my house and everything. (I am not surprised how they treated the GTV guy (is that right?) Scare and worry people and never apologize for it. Love the rest of the comments by your readers though....

http[colon]//www.gameinformer[dot]com/News/Story/200801/N08.0123.1614.36600.htm
EA has apparently already responded.

I love that all us gamers are fighting back. it's about damn time!
there's a petition online against fox, here's the link:

LINKS OMITTED

I wonder how many signatures would be needed to make fox tell the truth...
btw, this is my first ever post on this site :)

Britini- "I like porn. I like video games."

damn straight! :D

Being British, I'm not very familiar with Fox News, although obviously I have heard of it. This video had me laughing to myself before it was even one minute in! I cannot believe that the blonde woman is a serious newsreader, the first three panellists are over-the-top (it looks like acting), and all the participants (aside from the fourth panellist and the man from spiked) speak so quickly that I'm sure they have not actually thought about what they're saying. It's like reading an article in the Sun, only with even less attempt at balance. I knew Rupert Murdoch's outlets went for sensation over substance, but this is just stupid. It's still hilarious, though!

@tozznok: oh snap! your comment made me rofl

anyhoo, that lady Cooper Lawrence apologised for this shenanigans. she actually watched the scene, and then said it wasn't even offensive. she also said she got told that it was graphic porn in video game form, and she was grossly misinformed (paraphrasing)

I heard all the time from parents and grandparents that kids these day are too lazy. WELL what about the parents are you to lazy to get off you ass and find about what tour kids are doing. and most of these parents will buy the game for the kid. i don't know how many time i'm playing online and it a rate "M" game and there are kids well under 13 in the room. and i'm being told not to say those "bad words" Do you know what its "M" for Mature that means 17 and up so i'm going to say what i want. keep your kids off the online games if you don't want them hearing what i have to say. Parents really need to stop bitching if there will to buy the kids the games. and if the parent has the game and they don't want there kids playing wiht it put the game away somewhere your kids cant get to.

*fable berserk lvl 4*
Okay, I'm pissed. In the pinko, communist, socialist, terrorist land of Canada we don't get beaten in the head by the Faux News dumbstick until were tur'r'ist killin', river-cryin', Bush-votin'... BRAINWASHING F#$%ING BRAINLESS AMERICAN B$#$#$IT!!!
Yeah, video games cause violence! realy! i read it sumwere!
No, stupidity causes violence. America has 10x the gun related deaths than canada, and 100x that of japan, and japan is the founding nation of all-things-questionable... videogames, hentai, lolicon, guro, tentacles, and things things i even wont even go near.
The only things taht videogames ever do is make the person aware of the nature of war, death, and keep them from joining the 'effin military and fighting the ter'a'rists, at the very least due to their poor physical health.
And nudity?! hell, if i ran an effin' country, i wouldnt just make clothes optional, it would be a rule that at least 2 hours a week must be dedicated to public nudity. We were born naked, and thats how it should be.
Oh, to the girlz, lol, you can go topless in Canada... Our winters may be s%%t, but ive seen 100 degree days where i am.
Still raging psychotically, but this post is getting long

It's absolutely wrong for mature gamers (18+ gamers) to have to listen to these views from journalist that don't even play games. They get some second hand information (someone else's opinion or views), and put all their effort in a debate against the game. Ask them if they even played the game they are discussing, and they say "no" wtf? How do you debate a subject you did not research..? It's ok to judge a book by it's cover, by any and all means.. It's now ok to say, "Guilty before proven innocent" These anti gamers are on some wack Sugar Honey Ice Tea. lol If you don't want your children playing games like this, spend time with your children and take interest in their interests. I'll have to repost, when I'm not so emotional about the topic. Debating without doing your own (1st hand) research.. They should look up IGNORANCE in the dictionary, and apply it to their views.

Yeah, there is however plenty of games that do have real sex, and you never see them getting any hype or any media attention. Games like Virtualy Jenna, Leasure Suite Larry, Lula 3d, and the most provocative by far, BoneTown. You can see the BoneTown trailer on youtube or at thier own website. It's ridiculous. Seriously though, if all of these news giants want to get pissed, why do they pick such weak little sex scenes to raise all the fuss about? There is far worse out there.

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