Community Debate: Censorship of Sexual Content in Games

Three of Seven · Posted Sat 19 May, 2018 6:16 PM

COMMUNITY DEBATE
CENSORSHIP OF SEXUAL CONTENT IN GAMES

This debate is around a series of messages going to developers of games on Steam, which contain sexual content. These look to be targeted at visual novel type games, or others (like HuniePop) using an anime style. The best article I found to give the most detail is here from TechRaptor. It is being updated with new statements, tweets and other updates.

There are a number of arguments being put here, one being that these games are being unfairly targeted for censorship of sexual content, while GTA and The Witcher 3 are not being targeted. The later having some very dedicated sex scenes, in which motion capture was used to create them to make it as realistic as possible.

So the question here would be, why are some games being targeted, while others are not? Do you agree with the idea of censoring visual novels, and anime styled games which contain nudity? If so, why, and to the counter, why not?

Infinity · Posted Sat 19 May, 2018 6:18 PM

What a spicy image.

Avenger · Posted Sat 19 May, 2018 6:24 PM

I think it’s heavily based on the rating of the game, as long as they get the rating right, it’s up to parents if they are silly enough to get their kids games too early and make that choice, I think on some games there is a choice to turn off the explicit content for parents too - deleting it altogether would be overly nanny state of the world, TV has the right to do what it wants to a certain extent so why punish gaming?

Sent via the Argus Array

Three of Seven · Posted Sat 19 May, 2018 6:30 PM

The developers in question have all correctly labelled the content in the games, they aren't hiding the sexual content from anyone, and are age restricted.

Avenger · Posted Sat 19 May, 2018 6:31 PM

Can’t see the issue then, if all the info is up front it’s the consumers choice!

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Vox · Posted Sat 19 May, 2018 7:15 PM

As long as they have the right ratings and usual graphic sexual content warnings then I think it's fine and things shouldn't be censored as long as those guidelines for sexual content are followed.

Avenger · Posted Sat 19 May, 2018 8:18 PM

I’m with Sammy, I couldn’t agree more, Sex is far more normal & acceptable than killing people so shouldn’t it be the other way round?

Not sure how the societal norm is this way?

Sent via the Argus Array

MachoCyclone · Posted Sat 19 May, 2018 8:32 PM

I have no problem with it not being censored. That’s why we have a rating system that mostly works. The problem is that (and I say this a parent myself) is that a lot of parents don’t research the games, movies, etc before letting their kids get hold of it. Then those parents get all offended that their kid(s) saw something graphic and immediately blame game developers, stores, and anyone else but themselves. There’s a reason that game had a MA rating on the box and a reason for the R rating for a movie. The whole situation could have been avoided if the parents researched the game, movie, or whatever before handing it to their kids. Parents need to realize that they are the ones putting these things into their kids hands, not the game developers, Hollywood or any other big corporations. Parents can control (for the most part) the content their kids consume but fail to do so because God forbid their kids don’t get everything handed to them on a silver platter.

Tatchi · Posted Sat 19 May, 2018 9:07 PM

It should not be censored. If it's crossing a certain line, it should be labelled as adult only and buying restricted to adult shoppers. If they let kids play it, that's on them. If we make a fuss over that, then TV should be banned completely, dance songs should be forbidden and for that nostalgic feeling, let's burn all the books. If violence is ok, which it is in games, TV and books, then sex or sexual content should also be okay. Just make sure to rate it properly.
Reserve censorship for seriously questionable materials like "entertainment" that promotes racial hate, or games like "Hello Neighbor" that are so bad you could die from just playing them making them a serious health hazard. Other than that, leave the nanny business to nannies.

Semi related side rant: I HATE Sony for banning my kid from playing certain games online on the PS4 even though I have set the console up for him to allow it. Support tells me the online rating is a bit higher. Well duh. As a parent I make my own calls thank you very much. The ratings for non extreme stuff are pretty much a gray area. I won't let my kids watch or play some stuff they are supposedly allowed to, because I judge it unsuitable and I let them access stuff with a higher rating when I can't figure out for the life of me how it could possibly be unsuited for them. Then again, I probably misjudge the severe emotional damage playing Final Fantasy XIV could have on my son.... God forbid he gets some distraction from his illness and gets to play together with his dad to forgot all his troubles for moment.

Bar'ol · Posted Thu 07 Jun, 2018 4:38 PM

Sorry rezzing old thread but:

Here you go - https://steamcommunity.com/games/593...76116200553082

I can tell you probably wont be using steam much myself. GOG FTW!

Chris Rogers · Posted Thu 07 Jun, 2018 7:00 PM

To be fair, this is a community of all ages, including children as well at certain ages where pornography would not be appropriate,

I myself as a parent, i know i'm a member myself, however if my child were a member whom is 12, Then i wouldn't be happy with them viewing the site knowing there may be pornographic material on it.

Noram · Posted Thu 07 Jun, 2018 7:05 PM

The rare correct decision from a gaming company...

Scarlett · Posted Thu 07 Jun, 2018 7:52 PM

I'm not a fan of censorship in general. The buyer (and user) beware.

Frankly, Sammy nailed it and such an idea is ... strange? In America (if not world-wide), violence comes in many forms and many sources. I'm not one to blame the video-game industry on the ills of society, yet it should not be discounted as a possible factor.

In a way, if violent games are not censored, then neither should games with nudity. Conversely, if you are going to censor one, then censor them all.

EDIT in response to Sammy: and THAT'S important to me. As a parent, if a source has controls that allow me to guide my child's exposure, then it's my duty to learn about them and use them as needed.

ForTheGamer · Posted Thu 07 Jun, 2018 8:09 PM

BTW, Steam just turned around and went "you know what, we're just going to let everyone do what they want. We're tired of trying to police games. However, if it is illegal or trolling, we're definitely coming after you."

https://steamed.kotaku.com/valve-say...les-1826612274

That's probably because of the "hey, we're moving to GOG" that all of the adult games were doing and someone from accounting also was like "hey, um, guys, we're going to lose a ton of business if we do this".

Chris Rogers · Posted Fri 08 Jun, 2018 8:15 AM

Originally Posted by Sammygm

I'm not quite sure if you're talking about the UFP or Steam. This thread is talking about Steam wanting to remove anime games that has nudity in it. If you were talking about Steam, then you'll be happy to know that Steam has an in-depth parental control that allows you to block games or certain steam features from your child's account.

Sorry this was relating to Steam i mistyped This which should of been Steam,

To add i understand Steam has parental control, but my child is smart as **** on computers from learning what they teach now a days in school, they can easily install steam before im even aware its been installed, therefore no parental controls, and registering to Steam and submitting your age, all they technically have to do to bypass the age restrictions is set a later year of birth and wollah! there in,

Community Debate: Censorship of Sexual Content in Games

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