Duniaku Globe: Porn in Game, Is it Necessary?

When we heard the phrase “video game”, the first thing comes to mind is an entertainment. But what if a game can only be consumed by adults? Porn in game industry actually is not a new thing.

Duniaku Globe: Porn in Game, Is it Necessary?

Duniaku Globe: Porn in Game, Is it Necessary?

When we heard the phrase “video game”, the first thing comes to mind is an entertainment means that can be consumed by all family members without gender and/or age limitation. But what if a game can only be consumed by adults, male adult to be specific? Porn in game industry actually is not a new thing. Far before game consoles conquering video game industry, a game publisher named On-Line Systems released a text-based game called Softporn Adventure on 1981 for Apple II and 8-BitAtari. In this game, we were given several missions to obtain several items that later can be used to attract the opposite sex. At the initial release, this game embroiled in controversy since the theme and gameplay are considered to be too vulgar although it’s in text form. Despite the controversy and the rampant piracy, this game was successfully sold 25,000 copies worldwide.

Duniaku Globe: Porn in Game, Is it Necessary?

On 1982 a famous Japanese game publisher, KOEI, released their first graphical erotic game calledNight Life for NEC PC-8801. In this game, we were given a mission to determine a woman’s menstrual cycle. This game also shows various intercourse positions using black and white animation. Yoichi dan Keiko Erikawa – the couple behind KOEI – they create this game to help couples with their sexual life. Their reason might sounds ridiculous to you, yet this game is warmly received by many.

Porn in Game The cover art for the first graphical erotic game, Night Life[/caption]

Inspired by Softporn Adventure’s success, on 1987 On-line Systems that has changed its name to Sierra On-Linereleased their first graphical erotic game calledLeisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards for all commonly found game platform during the period. Despite the cover and the character graphic that is ‘tamer’ than Night Life (to the point it’s considered safe for kids) the theme hasn’t changed, sex and porn. In this game, we played a 40-years old guy named Larry Laffer that still lives with his mother and a virgin despite his considerably old age. He realizes the fact and decided to visit a fictional city called Lost Wages to find his ‘luck’. Despite the lack of commercial side, the first part of Larry’s adventure sold several hundred thousand copies and created a lot of buzz everywhere. Even one of its sequels, Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude which released on 2004 for PS2 and Xbox, becomes a sensation, especially for Indonesian gamers. Ironically, so many kids aged 7 to 12 bought this game without knowing any single thing about it.

Duniaku Globe: Porn in Game, Is it Necessary?

However, the most extreme porn-laden game ever released is probably 7 Sins. The game developed by Monte Cristo created a huge controversy back then on 2005 when it was first released. The controversy is pretty much a given, seeing that in this simulation game we played a 40 year-old guy that wanted to be on the top of the social ladder in his city by doing anything deemed necessary to get it. So why is it so controversial? Where’s the extreme part? 7 Sins shows the steps of intercourse and we as the player is given the freedom to arrange the intercourse ‘scenario’. The game also shows the male character taking a piss, showing the pornography side very blatantly.No wonder this game is immediately banned in several countries, including Indonesia.

Porn in Game 7 Sins: The Most Extreme Yet[/caption]

However, also note that not all sex or porn-ladengames gameplay are always sexual-related. In several games such as Dead or Alive where there are tons of scantily clad female fighters but the game is essentially a fighting game.Playboy: The Mansion, despite its blatant relation to sex indicated by the title and characters, is focused on how we run the business. At the end of the day, the sexy girls and other sexual elements in the game is no more than the icing on the cake.

Porn in Game Dead or Alive: Sexy but still Kick Butt[/caption]

Globe Duniaku Playboy The Mansion: Business with Pleasure[/caption]

In Indonesia, the booming era for this ‘hot’ game started on mid-90s and early 2000s where parents got upset over a PS1 game titled Game Girls. If we look closely, this game is nowhere close to abovementioned games. However, our country’s culture and the relatively unrestricted game sales where kids can easily access age-inappropriate games made this game hugely controversial. And now, the million-dollar question, “Why developers even dare to create these taboo games?”

Duniaku Globe: Porn in Game, Is it Necessary?

Curiosity. This might be the main factor on why games like these created. Questions like, “What if we create this?” or a wishful thinking-like question such as “If I create a game like this….” becomes two main foundations for people to create this kind of game. Also, it is undeniable that in all form of entertainment – whether it’s movie, music, even games – references to sex and pornography becomes a major force behind the success. Disagree with the statement? It’s up to you. But once again, it’s no denying that sexual reference/porn = PROFIT. Even real life simulation game such as The Sims and action-shooting game like Duke Nukem also include this element to boost sales.

Globe Duniaku Duke Nukem: The silliest main character in game[/caption]

Duniaku Globe: Porn in Game, Is it Necessary?

Upon knowing this fact, there might be one more question popping, “Is it necessary to include porn element in a game?” There’s no exact answer, to be honest. People see things differently anyway. But if we want to draw a conclusion, it’s morally unethical yet from business point of view as quoted from Triple H, a WWE wrestler and son-in-law of WWE owner Vince Mcmahon,

“This thing, right here, is best for business”

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