Hello, Escapists.
For a long time it's always been a popular opinion that sex in video games is immature and infantile, only for titillation, or for the sake of a product or story being perceived as mature, adult, or realistic. Some people hang on to the thought that, if only sex was interwoven with the narrative, then will I accept it as not fanservice. I thought, perhaps people just don't like sex and sex will always be immature, but it would be considered prudish to admit so.
So I re-watched an episode of Extra Credits about sex in video games, and it was fine and all, but it wasn't actually about SEX... but rather sexuality, as in romantic relationships, which I mean, I think video games have already evolved as a medium to portray romantic relationships in an aesthetically pleasing manner, perhaps not to the degree we want, but come on, chances are it's a AAA shooter/rpg. But what about actual sex in video games?
Really, the only marker for a good sex scene is... it isn't controversial, like nobody cared to complain about it or mention it exists. Like when people talk about GoT they don't talk about the sex scenes, unless it is to complain or crack a joke.
Reason 1: It's Boring
Have you ever watched a kissing scene where you felt nothing for the romance, or worse it was gross, like something from PrankInvasion? Now imagine sitting through even a 1 minute sex scene. Now I've played many a VN, and I could probably count the number of ones with sex scenes with two hands, maybe a foot. Yet I've only played one or two, which I actually read through and thought, "yes Sir Elton John, I can feel the love tonight." Basically, if it ain't your waifu, chances are you won't care.
Reason 2: Most are Unnecessary
Since VNs probably have the most sex, I'll be talking about those I've read threads on VN sites discussing whether sex was necessary in VNs, and the response is yes, but some are unnecessary. However, if you use the word "necessary", you might as well ask "Would you choose between having sex scenes or not having sex scenes?" Obviously the answer would be, I'd rather have sex scenes, because there is one I like or may like. Still, it's basically if it ain't your waifu, you won't care.
Reason 3: It's Too Much
Honestly kissing and hugging is more than enough to convey a sense of romance. Being sexually aroused is distracting, to say the least. If a video game is good enough to be porn to do you know what, then you want to do you know what.
For whatever reason, I found softcore scenes to be more romantic than hardcore scenes.
Reason 4: Humans are Sex-Negative
Besides humans, name me a animal that has sex and masturbates in private. I think the shame of sex is universal. The word "awkward" is frequently when used to describe sex scenes, perfectly describing a faux pas. Some of us are different, but generally, we don't like sex and sexuality in public situations. At least, we avoid bringing it up with randoms.
tl;dr
Video game sex will never mature because sex isn't mature at all. What people think is mature is basically a bunch of people implicitly agreeing X is tasteful and you nodding your head.
For a long time it's always been a popular opinion that sex in video games is immature and infantile, only for titillation, or for the sake of a product or story being perceived as mature, adult, or realistic. Some people hang on to the thought that, if only sex was interwoven with the narrative, then will I accept it as not fanservice. I thought, perhaps people just don't like sex and sex will always be immature, but it would be considered prudish to admit so.
So I re-watched an episode of Extra Credits about sex in video games, and it was fine and all, but it wasn't actually about SEX... but rather sexuality, as in romantic relationships, which I mean, I think video games have already evolved as a medium to portray romantic relationships in an aesthetically pleasing manner, perhaps not to the degree we want, but come on, chances are it's a AAA shooter/rpg. But what about actual sex in video games?
Really, the only marker for a good sex scene is... it isn't controversial, like nobody cared to complain about it or mention it exists. Like when people talk about GoT they don't talk about the sex scenes, unless it is to complain or crack a joke.
Reason 1: It's Boring
Have you ever watched a kissing scene where you felt nothing for the romance, or worse it was gross, like something from PrankInvasion? Now imagine sitting through even a 1 minute sex scene. Now I've played many a VN, and I could probably count the number of ones with sex scenes with two hands, maybe a foot. Yet I've only played one or two, which I actually read through and thought, "yes Sir Elton John, I can feel the love tonight." Basically, if it ain't your waifu, chances are you won't care.
Reason 2: Most are Unnecessary
Since VNs probably have the most sex, I'll be talking about those I've read threads on VN sites discussing whether sex was necessary in VNs, and the response is yes, but some are unnecessary. However, if you use the word "necessary", you might as well ask "Would you choose between having sex scenes or not having sex scenes?" Obviously the answer would be, I'd rather have sex scenes, because there is one I like or may like. Still, it's basically if it ain't your waifu, you won't care.
Reason 3: It's Too Much
Honestly kissing and hugging is more than enough to convey a sense of romance. Being sexually aroused is distracting, to say the least. If a video game is good enough to be porn to do you know what, then you want to do you know what.
For whatever reason, I found softcore scenes to be more romantic than hardcore scenes.
Reason 4: Humans are Sex-Negative
Besides humans, name me a animal that has sex and masturbates in private. I think the shame of sex is universal. The word "awkward" is frequently when used to describe sex scenes, perfectly describing a faux pas. Some of us are different, but generally, we don't like sex and sexuality in public situations. At least, we avoid bringing it up with randoms.
tl;dr
Video game sex will never mature because sex isn't mature at all. What people think is mature is basically a bunch of people implicitly agreeing X is tasteful and you nodding your head.
