Sex and nudity in video games

Sex and nudity in video games refers to the depiction of sexual themes, activities, nudity, and sexual behavior in video games. The inclusion of sex and nudity in video games has been a controversial topic since the early days of the video game industry. While many video games have used scantily clad images or characters to sell or enhance games, some go further, using sex acts or nudity as a character motivation, in-game reward, or simply as a gameplay element. These games originate worldwide, on most platforms and can be of any video game genre.

History

The history of sex and nudity in video games goes back to the early 1980s when the video game industry was in its infancy. The first game to feature sexual themes was the 1981 text-based "Softporn Adventure" from On-Line Systems. This game was soon followed by other early games like "Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards".

Controversy

The inclusion of sex and nudity in video games has been controversial. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), which rates the content of video games in North America, has often been criticized for the perceived arbitrariness of its ratings. The issue of sexual content in video games was first brought to political and public attention during the 1993 congressional hearings on video games, which led to the creation of the ESRB in 1994.

Impact on the industry

The impact of sex and nudity on the video game industry has been significant. It has led to a rating system for games, increased censorship, and societal discussions about the role of sex and nudity in media. Some games have been banned or heavily censored due to their sexual content, such as "Manhunt 2" and "RapeLay".

See also

• Video game controversies
• Video game content rating system
• Censorship in video games
• List of banned video games