Years ago Phantasmagoria was pulled from the shelves in various large scale companies. The claim was because of it being too graphic for kids to play.. even when theres a setting with a password for parental control to filter and edit out the bad parts of the game. The real reason was because of the nature of the game. It was the first interactive RPG style game that had to do with the metaphysical side of things, demons, spells, magick, and using real latin verse for the introduction song and the incantation for the end of the game. The majority of those that protested this game were thick headed christians - probably republicans as well - who pretty much wanted to ban the game for the sole purpose of keeping outer thoughts away from the whole of the gaming world. Funny how Sierra still released a second game in the series.

You can release the Stauff series like The 7th Guest and The 11th Hour which had a hell of a lot more within when it comes to graphic metaphysical nature and hauntingly surreal action, but when you make a game that shows a realistic side of it where people can understand and respect it. Well.. that's quite a no no.

But prostitution is probably more acceptable than rape.

Sex has been part of computer gaming since Stroker 64 and Strip Poker (especially the version with men), the graphics were crude, but I was young and I loved it.

I'm not sure what C.J. is looking for here in GTA San Andreas. Might be sorta, kinda gay.

I mean he's on a beach in his undies with pink hair.

C.J. Meets Ronald McDonald

C.J. is craving some more weinermobile.

C.J. notices his GayDar beeping.

OBEYOBEYOBEY! BOW TO THE MACHINE! OBEYOBEYOBEY!

Lol, I'm sure I can find something for such an obedient servant to do...

As for the games, I just think it's just one more example of right-wingers focusing on the wrong thing only because it's a battle they know they can win. Now games will end up being strictly censored or mandatory restrictions for age will be enforced for sales of games.

From what I've seen, the simulated game sex isn't even that good... But you've got a good point. It's the same with TV.

omg! did u just mention Stroker 64?
when my dad was a computer whiz in the late 80's i had found that game in his stuff at work. hahaha. a novelty game more than anything but hot nonetheless.

my favorite C64/C128 game ever is "Little Computer People", the underrated game that should be getting 50% of all royalties for The Sims.

The only somewhat suggestive game title that got through our puritan protectionists was "Interlude" - a text-based adventure game on the Apple ][ ...

me: "I'd like to make love to you on a bed of roses."
her: "Sounds thorny."
me: "No stems, just the petals"
her: "Ooooh..."
etc.

Never got to the end, where you were supposed to be rewarded with some suggestive picture of your conquest. Oh well... ;o)

I remember when SimCopter came out and the uproar that happened when a disgruntled gay programmer put a bit of code in that had men in skimpy bikinis dancing in celebration once in a while (in place of women in skimpy bikinis). Oy! This country is absolutely petrified about sex. I know I've been adversely affected by it. (Hm, who can I sue to reclaim some of my therapy bills?)

The sad thing is that people just don't seem to get the ridiculousness about it all. *sigh*

JOhn.

there's a chub chaser relationship in an obscure Japanese game for Dreamcast called Gunbird 2. Just play 2 players.. pick the prince and the chubby arabian guy and finish the game. It left me speechless and it was a very hot ending indeed. ^_^

there's also a gay love affair on Xenosaga I for the PS2 but it's kinda like an easter egg...

Blows my mind everytime this comes up. They made a ratings system just to handle games that contained adult-material years ago, and then they complain that the system doesn't work and demand tougher ratings. The stores actually went as far making it policy for their employees to inform parents of the mature content as they purchased the game. Of course, that becomes a problem when those parents who really could care less can't send their children into the store to pick up a game have to do the purchasing themselves because the games can't be sold to anyone under 17.

Every form of mass market entertainment has gone through this particular growing pain because people refuse to acknowledge that the audience has more than a few adults mixed in. Comics, music, books, movies, television, and now video games--they've all had to deal with some sort of public backlash for inappropriate content from concerned parents and such.

In the case of a game like GTA:SA, or any form of media where the distinctions are clearly made by a rating system, it's an enormous waste of time.

Some really good points. Whenever a new type of media is introduced, it takes time to figure out what's appropriate and what's not. What I object to the blanket application of censorship.

The game rating system is a good one, it just that parents don't seem interested in taking responsibility for parenting. The problem is the application of "family values" on a nation wide level when the problem is the lack of family skills. Inappropriate content? Personally, I think the concept of creationism is inappropriate content... that doesn't seem to stop some groups from trying to shove it down my throat.