Will Erotic Games Ever Become Legitimized?

Gamervision writes:
"While the typical assumption is that video games are for children, it's becoming more and more obvious over the years that this simply isn't the case. There are games for a younger audience, that's for sure, but with the average age of gamers being 35 years old (according to the Entertainment Software Association) and Mature games outselling all others, the stigma of "games are for kids" is losing steam. Strangely enough, it appears as though many within the industry are ignoring that fact, especially retailers and console makers. Proof is in the AO rating, which is still a death note for games. If the ESRB decides that a game is too saucy for the M-rating, it cannot get licensed on any of the consoles (as was seen with Manhunt 2), and barely any retailers will carry it. For the most part, this only applies to one genre: erotic games. Let's discuss them, shall we?"

[dominicm]

Not until H-game developers start to translate their titles, but even then I doubt they'd be available anywhere. Maybe direct downloads?

[DasBunker]

not in a near future.. even nudity alone still taboo in VG..

its all just bad parents fault.. they cant control what their punks play or they dont even wanna try to get involved (cuz they dont know shi*).. so they instantly crucify this kind of games..

but i laugh at how they buy MW2 to their 12 y/o and thats acceptable...

[kraze07]

I don't think it's wrong for kids to play M rated games as long as they're mature. If parents just teach their kids right from wrong then they wouldn't have to worry about their kids being corrupted by some video game they play or movie they see. Instead they want to be lazy and just censor everything they think is unsuitable for their kid.

[sikbeta]

Sooner or later it'll become acceptable, games aren't for kids anymore

[Tony P]

My issue with "erotic games/movies/books/comics" ; etc is that too many ignore the noun.

Imo the game has to be solid regardless of any erotic content, like The Witcher. If you've got a good game concept then feel free to get liberal with the naughty parts.

I'm sure there's a place for pure porn somewhere, but I personally ain't interested unless it has something deeper.

[Viper7]

Maybe the day when most of the people who have never played video games stop to present the majority. Many countries and companies are still run by these people in their 50's who have never or barely played any video games and understand really nothing about them.

Nowadays the "gamer generation" is around their 20's or 30's so we can only hope that the AO games will be accepted outside of pc gaming.

Although I gotta admit that those Japanese visual novels, eroges, etc have certainly been on the rise this past 2 years with unofficial fan translations and piracy.

(Although it seems somehow funny to even say eroge when the "game" or "interactive" novel has only few actual erotic scenes which could easily be cut away to lower the rating to T).

[FarEastOrient]

If you are in Japan it is already there...

[hatchimatchi]

No, they won't.

[kraze07]

Not anytime soon. It's a shame really.

[CaliGamer]

The "erotic" section of gaming will probably become legitimized once they can achieve an acceptable level of fidelity. Unlike traditional gaming, there needs to be a certain level of believability before people begin to really blur the line and until that happens I think it will just be a novelty.
Interesting article.

[Risque]

Why is it unusual for pornographic games to be treated the same as all other forms of pornography? AO only means retailers like WalMart don't shelve the titles, leaving it to "specialist" stores. You know, the places people who still buy porn get their porn.

[RedDragan]

There is a world of difference between eroticism and pornography.

Erotic content in games can become very legitimate if it is put into context of the storyline. Having an erotic scene just for lulz is not needed, and blatantly exists in a game just to sell and be controversial.

We have yet to see if the use of erotic content in Heavy Rain is there for a legitimate reason and how it corresponds with the story. If Quantic Dreams pulls that scene off then it is an avenue opened up for other developers and shows them how it can and should be done.

I do however have the opinion that no regulatory body has any right to refuse to classify any erotic content as long as games that promote blowing people's heads off, and especially bullying (here is looking at you Rockstar being controversial for the sake of sales only) can get classified and approved for sale. I personally think that Rockstar should be banned before scenes of an erotic nature, glamourising criminal and bullying activity is morally worse than promoting sexual behaviour amongst adults!

[Roper316]

Erotic games yes, just look @ Dragon Age Origins, Heavy Rain & GOW 1 & 2 and there is erotica in them to a point. Games like Rapelay or whatever it is called and games like that will never be accepted as well they shouldn't but simple erotica like we see in movies, books and basically every other form of entertainment will.

[Shnazzyone]

How uptight is the culture that the game is trying to be marketed in. I mean, common porn has yet to be legitimized. Of course the internet offers an unique opportunity for digital distribution of these products. Internet could care less if it's contents are considered legitimate or not.

[pcz]

In asia? America? Europe?

It will become legitimized with time, but only in cultures that are liberal.

[Agheil]

HOPE SO

[Redempteur]

Video games are not ONLY for children.

Just like movies there movies ofr adult and ones for children ..
Videogames are the same . Untill the people in power will age and make place for people like us who know better the subject i'm not expecting any changes .

[SlxTeN]

Natal would revolutionize erotic gameplay

[deshon09]

shame not because i would like fu*k /ANY adult activityin a video game but because gaming now and days conceits of shooter and sports game it would be nice to have more variety hay but just me

[SpikeSpiegel]

"Give me boobies or give me death!"

[Saryk]

I don’t mind a little T&A in my games, as long as it goes with the story. I do mind graphic sex in my games and movies. The ONLY reason why is because it takes away from the main part of the game/story/etc. If I want to watch porn, i’ll go watch some porn on a good site.
However parents are the only ones that can decide for their own kids. I think nudity and whatever else should be allowed.