Sex and Nudity in Video Games: What's the Big Deal?

Sex and nudity are a natural part of life. While video games aren't mirror images of real life, they can touch upon real life issues and experiences. Why is it then when a video game depicts images of nudity or sexuality some gamers and others get offended or upset? Plenty of video games are violent blood baths, but that controversy is small compared to the uproar over sex or nudity. I don't find sex or nudity in games to be a big deal. I have ideas on why some do.

Mature games aren't 'mature' if they show nudity or sex
It is my feeling that the word mature is taken out of the context the ESRB has used it in. According to the ESRB, mature games "have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language." Mature rated games are just like R (restricted) rated movies. It has nothing to do with a gamer's maturity level. There are children who act more "mature" then some adults. Does that mean those kids should play M rated games? Of course not, it means M rated games have adult situations children might not understand, be scared of, or just can't handle. As an adult gamer, I don't understand why other adult gamers get upset when sex or nudity is shown. Having sexual situations in a game doesn't make it less "mature."

Sex in video games is only there for shock value
I don't think I ever played a game where I felt sex or nudity was used solely for shock value. Let's look at 3 Mature rated games released this year. First, Heavy Rain isn't your typical video game. You play as 4 different characters who are involved in the serial killer storyline. Two of those characters, Ethan and Madison, can work together and forge a bond. During the game, players are given the choice to let Ethan and Madison have sex. I chose to let them. What follows in one of the more graphic sex scenes I have ever witnessed in a video game. Is this shocking? To me, it's not. In the context of the story, it makes sense.

Next, Dante's Inferno is a game set in Hell. Naked women and men are frequently shown, sometimes they're being tortured. While I can understand why Dante's Inferno images can offend some people, I don't see why they would play the game in the first place. A game that takes place in Hell should be riddled with uncomfortable images. Are the situations in Dante's Inferno shocking? Maybe, but they should be considering the context of the game.

Red Dead Redemption has been compared to Grand Theft Auto in the Wild West. During one of the cut scenes, your character walks in on people having sex. While what is shown is pretty graphic, the game clearly states on the packaging there is sexual situations. Is the scene shocking? It might be, but players can skip it. Also, Rockstar games has a reputation of making violent video games that include sex and nudity. Gamers should realize what they're getting when purchasing a Rockstar title.

Think about the children!
We need to move away from the mindset that video games are just for kids. Remember the outcry over Mass Effect's "sex scene?" People who have quite possibly never played the game were wondering what happened to the innocence of video games. With new technology, games grew up and so did the people playing them. Mass Effect is rated M, so what's the big deal? Besides, you don't even see much of anything that wouldn't be shown in a PG-13 movie.

It's the parents' responsibility to monitor what their children play. Many of today's parents are the Nintendo children of the 1980's. Hopefully, they realize the scope of today's video game industry and don't let their children play M rated games. If you don't agree with sex and nudity in games, don't buy ones labeled with sexual content. As a 33 year old gamer, I feel I have the right to play and enjoy any video game, regardless of the "maturity" of its content.

Sources:

Personal experience

ESRB

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/11/lets-talk-about-sex-in-video-games.ars

http://www.gametrailers.com/user-movie/fox-news-on-mass-effect-sex/163925