How SHOULD sex scenes in games work?

[Zechnophobe]

In the witcher, we have little cards that depict.. something.

In Bioware games we have odd looking groping. In some games like Fahrenheit their might be odd zombie sex or steamy shower scenes.

But what actually should work?

Oh, and this is meant to be a question for 'games that have some sex' as opposed to 'games about sex'.

I've slowly started to 'yawn' at Bioware's style myself. The whole idea of flirting at random intervals, followed by a sudden 'quick lets hump!' scene just feels weird. They are meant to be romances but generally start with mad sexings, instead of ending there.

It also feels very modal. "This is the point where you may lay with this person in the game, so sayeth the Wise Allaundo." You never have something like "Man, that last fight with those darkspawn was terrible" or "My mom.. is dead. I need something to take my mind off it." That is, unless it is pre-programmed to work that way.

There also isn't much in the middle. If you really were having a romantic affair with a character you were adventuring with, wouldn't the occasional makeout session (even off camera) make sense? OMG, we killed a dragon... let's make-out!

All in all, I honestly don't want explicit. And I sure as heck don't want 'fake explicity' aka dry humping. But I would like to feel my character/avatar was in a PASSIONATE relationship.

You?

 

[Axelhander]

Time bars and action menus.

 

[Julianking93]

Simple implication is just fine, honestly.

Anything else just either seems gratuitous or humorous.

Look at Heavy Rain. That sex scene was laughable due to the glitching and collision detection between characters.

Simply implying that sex is there is just fine. Look at the MGS series

Spoiler

In 3, they're rolling around together on the floor while the camera pans away, not showing anything overly explicit.
In 4, Otacon gets pulled into the helicopter by Naomi and the screen fades to black

That is how I personally think it should go anyway :3

 

[henrycoll]

It depends. I personally dont want sex scenes in a game - dont think its necessary. But when I think of why I get no reason. They're useful and can be plot driving in films, so logically in a game with a plot they should have equal stay.

Maybe it's a mix of shyness and concern regarding media stone-throwing that stops devs. Most parents would shout if a game showed a sex scene, but if a film shows a woman topless theres less outcry...

 

[OptimisticPessimist]

Sex shouldn't be in games to begin with.

It's an embarrassment to society that needs to be corrected.

This again? Really, dude?

 

[arcus_angelus]

Quick time events. lol!

 

[OptimisticPessimist]

Sex shouldn't be in games to begin with.

It's an embarrassment to society that needs to be corrected.

This again? Really, dude?

I beg your pardon?

Nevermind.

 

[zehydra]

what is the point of scenes that aren't part of the game? To further the story? Story is meant to accompany games, not gameplay to accompany the story!

if you want sex scenes, play a sex game.

 

[Realitycrash]

They should work as in movies: If there aren't any way they are moving the plot forward, fade to black. Saves us the right-wings whining about "pr0n in gamez!", and similar pointless controversy.

..What, some of you WANT to see sex-scenes? Geeze, this is the interwebz. Free sex everywhere. Tab out, spank your monkey a few minutes, then get back to the game. No need for nudity in it unless there's some sort of relevance.

 

[LikeDustInTheWind]

Sex shouldn't be in games to begin with.

It's an embarrassment to society that needs to be corrected.

Sex itself or sex in video games/media?

 

[Verrenxnon]

To bar sex entirely from the whole of gaming limits what of the human experience gaming is able to explore. It also devalues what games can be.

There are some stories where sex and sexuality are highly relevant. There are other cases where it's gratuitous. "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" has great points on the subject.

OT: As long as the sex scenes follow the game's tone, I'm happy. I found those in "God of War" and "Mass Effect" fitting, as I'd expected a campy, epic-adventure and a melodramatic space romp respectively.

 

[LikeDustInTheWind]

Sex shouldn't be in games to begin with.

It's an embarrassment to society that needs to be corrected.

Sex itself or sex in video games/media?

Both I guess. :\

Hmm. You have a strange opinion, sir.

 

[Mallefunction]

I agree with the line of thought that implication is best. It's too awkward to watch a sex scene that isn't meant to be funny in some way.

In a movie, it's ok because it's more abstract, but video games are interactive. It's the idea that you're the person getting sexed up or doing the sexing up. That's what makes it weird.

 

[ramboondiea]

subtly, were sexuality is not a focal point, and tastefully where it is

 

[Souplex]

Fade to black. Classy, tasteful, looks good.
Maybe have some dialogue over it such as seducing Benny in New Vegas.
CAPTCHA: hintelso Congress

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

They can be if they are done right, seeing two pixelated characters dry humping is not only lame but hilarious.

I think it would be better if they just pan the camera away or fade to black instead of showing, I mean, it's kinda obvious what they are doing, not like they are playing tiddlywinks or anything.