Parents who are wringing their hands over the violent content of their kids' video games now have something else to worry about — nudity and sex.
An article in CNN/Money highlighted a growing trend within the video game industry to add sleaze. For example, one game features Playboy models who strip, while another contains full frontal nudity and sex between characters — with same-sex versions for those who prefer it. According to Cyberlore, developer of Playboy: The Mansion — which is billed as an “empire-building” game — players get to “share the mystic” of Hugh Hefner's mansion, “score hot celebrity interviews,” and arrange “sexy photo shoots.” In addition, players are rewarded for “living the good life, having a positive sexual attitude, and promoting tolerance and individual freedom.”
With an abundance of pornography already available to Americans in virtually every form imaginable, it might seem to be futile to complain about such video games. However, industry analysts are watching to see how such games are rated — which might have a bearing on whether or not children could rent or purchase them.
The Electronic Software Rating Board (ESRB) determines the ratings for video games. The ESRB rates some games “M (Mature)” which is generally understood to be the equivalent of an R-rating for movies. But an “AO (Adults Only)” rating is also available for games, and CNN/Money said most retailers will simply not carry a game with that rating.
The question is, what sort of rating will the ESRB give games with sex and nudity? “We've been working really closely with the ESRB from day one,” said Jay Adan, marketing director for Cyberlore. “Everyone knows what the limits are for violence because everyone has pushed that envelope. But no one knows where the limits are for sex and nudity.”
The question is not simply academic. Some retailers, like Wal-Mart, will not carry games with AO rating but will carry some rated M. So what happens if Wal-Mart has the opportunity to carry an M-rated game that contains nudity and sexual situations?
CNN/Money asked the retailer. “Business is a series of judgment calls and we offer what we think our customers want to buy,” answered Wal-Mart spokeswoman Karen Burk. “They will let us know if we've hit the mark. It's really that simple.”
That is, if parents know what's coming. At press time, the ESRB rating for Playboy: The Mansion was pending. It is slated for release this fall.
(This article appeared in the August 2004 issue of AFA Journal, a monthly publication of the American Family Association. This article courtesy of Agape Press).
