Sex In Games Causing Uproar, Proves Mainstream Ignorance
January 11, 2008 Ben-Dutka — No Comments
In more evidence that mainstream America has refused to accept that video games are no longer for children, one of the latest RPGs has kicked off a minor uproar amongst what we like to call "concerned chaperons."
It's no surprise that sex sells, and therefore, it's no surprise an element of sexuality exists in many video games these days. It goes well beyond the game in question, here ( Mass Effect ), and includes everything from Grand Theft Auto to Tomb Raider . But it's the 360 RPG (rumored to be coming to the PS3) that's generating waves at this time: according to Cybercast News Service, pro-family analysts say the game is "marketed to young kids and presents a moral danger to them, and the companies making and marketing the game should be prosecuted."
The game is "clearly marketed to minors," Cathy Ruse, a lawyer and senior fellow for legal studies at the Family Research Council, told Cybercast News Service. "There are cultural implications for feeding porn to kids in this way," and "when you do this, you're teaching them a distorted lesson about human sexuality and human dignity. These are lessons that they will take with them into adulthood and ultimately society."
Yes, it's "clearly" marketed to younger gamers. It makes perfect sense. I mean, with that giant "M"-Mature rating sitting on the box, a detailed description as to why the rating was assigned on the back of the box, and advertisements that in no way appeal to a younger demographic…well, of course it's designed for kids! In all actuality, this is just another example of someone without a clue saying, "all video games are for kids." Let's just face up to facts, here. Granted, you can have sex in Mass Effect and there is full nudity, but considering the game's rating is exactly the same as a rated "R" movie, I'm definitely missing the issue.
Ruse when on to imply people aren't "aware" of what's in this game, and the people who made it (BioWare) "should lose a lot of money" and "consumer confidence." Yeah, we 30-year-olds are appalled. Really. Considering the average age of a game player is around 33 years old, is it any wonder that Mass Effect , a game with a Mature rating , is going to scar all us adults forever? We're pretty sick and tired of this ridiculous over-reaction to entertainment products clearly marked and labeled, and we're even more annoyed with so-called "experts" who refuse to accept reality. You can beat them upside the head with statistics all day long, but they don't even blink and in the end, this is still 1985 and Mario shouldn't be having sex with a goomba. Yeah, we're all still 8 years old, didn't you know?