Anyone who keeps ear toward the industry knows that sex is a hot topic for video games. Brenda Brathwaite,
for example, has in the past vocalized her desire to see more sex in games. But despite the allegations that
games should be considered on equal footing as film, comics, etc. regarding sexual content, nobody has taken
the time to address the obvious differences between games and other mediums and how that affects sexual
content within.
Sexually explicit video games are nothing new. Custer’s Revenge, anyone? We all know the “plot” of that game. But whether you’re a fan or are offended by it, one thing stands out above everything else. I’m talking about the graphics. It’s the 2600, for crying out loud. This is what I find so amusing about the situation. These things on screen barely look human at all. There is a reason why most vintage games involved simple spaceships and random blocks. Drawing people was hard! So, here’s the $65,000 question. What purpose did sexually explicit vintage games serve? Presumably, pornography serves to arouse. Even non-pornographic
sexual situations often have at least some enticing purpose in film and other mediums. Hell, the producers of Die Hard are on record as having been slightly miffed that the movie didn’t have any sex. And this is Die Hard.
The only major female character is McClane’s wife, Holly. And we all know he’s not getting any sex from her. But, point taken. Sex can be a strong selling point in film. But does this carry over to video games? Is Custer’s Revenge enticing in the least? I don’t think I’d be challenged if I said no. So perhaps sex in games originated as more of an in-joke than anything else. Maybe that can change, though. Games have come a long way
from the single screen antics of tiny sprites. Or have they?
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