S E X

[Sangnz]

In short, yes both implied and visual representation is needed, based on the game, needs to be represented more frequently given the context of the game.

In long, there is nothing wrong with sex or sexuality in games, there is nothing inherently wrong with a game that is blatant about using sex appeal (see Bayonetta), there is nothing wrong with games which have rich character and natural relationship development which leads to implied or a tasteful representation of sex (see dragon age) and there is nothing wrong with a game that has none of this (see kirbys epic yarn).
Some people don't like that kind of thing some people do no one is ever going to be pleased. The thing is to use it appropriately and in a believable fashion. Nothing wrong with a game that has a strip joint you can go into with topless dancers around so long as it is applicable to the game, its a fairly common cliché used in more than one action movie, doesn't get a mention in those I don't see why it should be a big deal in a game.
I wouldn't expect to see one in say a batman game but it would 100% be keeping in character with the Vampire: The Masquerade game world.

At the end of the day, used well, varying representations of sex and physical intimacy will lend weight to a game, the problem is very few developers seem able to pull it off very well, see god of war series ridiculous QTE sex scenes for a bad example. Bioware has probably impressed me the most to date with ME and DA, the witcher has a strange take on it allowing to either be a total man slut or completely ignore it, but had little/no follow through in any emotional ties unless you were after Triss.

 

[alrekr]

Only if it has quick time events.

Heavy Rain (one of the few examples of a okay use of sex as it made sense plot wise) had quick time events (though mostly to see if you could get her top off).

Or do you mean God of War stlye press O make vase fall over, then press X to make to women touch each other because your man noises are so sexy.

 

[Nimcha]

I don't really care, I don't think pandering is all that bad when it comes to small things like this.

 

[SinisterGehe]

If it serves a plot point go for it. But if the main character is something 12 years old boy adding any sexual tension is insulting towards the player. If it is used on too young characters it is a bad thing. But if used correctly it can be a strong tool, but I would like it to be optional, being a-sexual in real-life so in order to submerge to the fantasy I would like to have a character that behaves somehow like I do or I can make it act like that. Powerful tool if done right, but must be optional.

 

[MaxwellEdison]

Games are stories. These stories generally involve people, and people place a lot of importance on sex. It makes perfect sense to tell a story about people and sex.

 

[Spookimitsu]

Sex in videogames makes me believe developers think every gamer is 13 forever. It's quite insulting.

But sex in vg's ironically is also the culture shock to media outlets that reminds people "hey these aren't just for kids"

 

[flamingjimmy]

You owe me £10! I had a mental bet that your first line would be 'now that I have your attention'

I don't mind if a game contains sex, as long as it's not a retarded quick time event or mini-game.

I think the way the Bioware games have dealt with sex is good, having a cut scene that strongly implies that the characters are about to/have just had sex is appropriate, and helps build your character.

 

[Lesd3vil]

People' attitudes towards sex in games will become mature only when people's attitudes towards sex in real life becomes more mature. Dunno about you guys, but I've had plenty of friends who are like 'sex!' *silly laugh* 'yeah I love the clunge me' or 'yeah, women LOVE my dick' :/

 

[n00beffect]

I stand behind the notion, that everything should suit it's idea. So, if in a certain game sex is necessary, then it should indeed persist in it. If it needs to be explicit, it should be. Everything needs be acording it's theme. In a game like, say, Catherine or the Sims sex is a must. But in a game like Kirby's Epic Yarn or whatever, not so much.

 

[Evil Top Hat]

I have no problem with sex in games, I have a problem with the developers that use it because they're too lazy to actually create an interesting emotional connection.

The worse kind of sex is "witcher" sex as I call it. Sex scenes that are there entirely for there own sake, don't even try to establish any plot points and just serve as gimmicky ways to keep people interested.

 

[SovietPanda]

Definately one of those 'time and a place for it' kind of things, fallout wouldnt quite have been the same if when you first walk into megaton one of the dozen options to choose from wasnt to go hang out with a whore and try and get information you need to find your father, dragon age was great in the way that just by randomly choosing responses you accidentally end up in bed with a dwarf, fable i could have a wife in every town. We dont need to see it, noone wants uncanny valley porn, and lets be honest mass effect really only did it so we could all dream of being Cpt. Kirk again. But sex as part of the story, all for it.

 

[HardkorSB]

Now i have your attention, what do you think about it in games?
is it unnessecary? should it be removed? is it maybe a nice touch of realism?
If its on an 18 rated game should it be more explixit even?

I personally think its all a bit pointless, other than to get me achievables on the Xbox i dont normally bother with romance/sex in games (though i did the threesome in fable 2 for a laugh and got the achievment on accident )

As a cutscene? Meh, maybe.
Someone could do a sex minigame that would actually reward you for "pleasing the other character" and/or move the plot/subplot in a different direction, depending on how well you did.
That could be fun.

 

[Lim3]

I clicked on this thread because of the name. I'm very dissapointed to see that it's this same old question.

As to sex in games - its fine as long as your girl friend doesn't walk in while your doing it virtual style. Or your mum. Or your dad. In fact just like normal sex it should probably be kept private.

 

[AperioContra]

I actually would like to see sex and sexuality explored, and not in the cheap ways we find it now in games. Unlike many who've comment so far, I don't see much of a problem with a fully rendered cutscene that involves sex, so long as it does not ramp up into full scale pornography. I think that as long as it framed right, a sex can serve as a visual simulation of intimacy, which can help the story. I think really when sex in video games begins to turn me off is when it becomes gratuitous, or even a QTE (A la God of War). This really cheapens the experience of sex and replaces it with boyish idealism of conquering another objective, which quite frankly leaves me insulted to be playing the game.

I guess to sum it up, I'll quote James Porthow: "How can you have an art form that denies sexuality?" I think the point is that you cannot begin unravel a human experience until you explore this very part of our nature.

So in short, yes, I do believe sex should be included in some video games. But, I would like to see the video game industry treat it with a little bit more maturity.

 

[ShindoL Shill]

If it is actually important to the plot then it's ok. Although I'm struggling to think of a game that warrants it's use now.

skyrim. its a roleplaying game. its logical that you may want to roleplay as a married person. whats marriage without sex?

 

[personion]

It's completely unnecissary and needs to be removed from quite a few games. You can still have romance, love and relationships, but I just don't see the point 90% of the time. An example of when it would be okay is in something like Catherine, but otherwise, just no.

 

[somonels]

If it's so pointless then why did you name the topic "S E X." Like a kid quietly spelling it out for fear of being overheard.
I wouldn't miss it... wait, where was it again? Ah yea, Bioware games. What exactly did they accomplish? Hmm...

No plausible reasoning can change the fact that people "cared" for certain characters because it was already known that they would have some (i really wouldn't call it intimate) scene. An analogy would be going on a date and pretending interest because you know she's going to "put out."