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Men more likely to steal, lie about casual games
A Reuters report yesterday took an interesting angle on the conclusions of the Casual Games Association's recently released 2007 study. While others commented on the casual space's size and growth, Reuters decided to focus on how men are lying, stealing bastards when it comes to casual games. According to the CGA report, while men are just as likely as women to play casual games, the fairer sex is much more likely to pay for these games (women make up 74% of paying players). What accounts for the difference? According to Retuers, men are "more determined to find a free version or try to thwart anti-piracy protections on games." Or, y'know, they could be playing the copies their wives bought. We hope that's it, because finding a crack for a $20 game of Peggle is just sad.But that's not all -- the Reuters report also reveals that men are more likely to hide their secret casual gaming shame. "The hardcore gamer who is playing 'Halo' with his buddies isn't going to brag that he just beat the next level of 'Zuma'." CGA Managing Director Jessica Tams told Reuters. And if they won't cop to playing Zuma, what are the chances they'll admit to an undying love for Flower Shop: Big City Break? Not large.Well it's time for the healing to begin. Men, use the comment thread below to come out of the casual gaming closet and announce to the world your proclivity for matching gems and dashing between diners. We won't judge you ... much.
Sex with Massachusetts Robots by 2050 -- wicked!
Having read the title above, we ask you: how do you feel? Titillated at the prospect or fearful for the little babies? Either way, if artificial intelligence researcher David Levy of the University of Maastricht is to be believed, we'll be consummating relationships with our anatomically correct Roombas by mid-century. Ironically, even though the city of Maastricht sits in free-livin' Netherlands, Levy predicts that Massachusetts will be first to legalize human-robot marriage due to its liberal attitude toward same-sex marriages. He envisions those early man-machine marriages falling victim to the same cultural taboos affecting interracial marriages. However, just as those are accepted over time, so will committed robot-hookups be seen as "normal" as the practice becomes more common. According to Levy, "once you have a story like 'I had sex with a robot, and it was great!' appear someplace like Cosmo magazine, I'd expect many people to jump on the bandwagon." Hear that Digg users? The cure to nerdonic-celibacy is all up to you.[Via TG Daily]
All the World's a Stage: It's not just about sexy butts
All the World's a Stage is a weekly column by David Bowers, investigating the explorative performance art of roleplaying in the World of Warcraft.Roleplaying the opposite sex happens. It is alluring to some, and repulsive to others -- a lot of people do it, while a lot of other people very openly proclaim (as if they know these things) that anyone who does this weird, manipulative, deceitful, and so on.People also tend to come up with various excuses for why they play a character of the opposite sex, as if they need to justify themselves according to their own gender's traditional expectations. Some men say, "if I'm going to have to stare at a characters butt for hours while I play, I'd rather it be a hot and sexy butt," while some women say, "I get all kinds of unwanted attention if I play a girl, and the only way I can get away from it is to play a boy." All that may be true in some cases, but it's hardly the whole story behind opposite-gender roleplaying.First of all, let me just say it here and now: you have every right to create whatever character you want, particularly in an actual roleplaying environment, and particularly if you intend to be faithful to the character you're creating.
World of Warcraft erotic guild disbanded
WoW Insider has an extensive feature on an erotic roleplaying guild disbanded by Blizzard in World of Warcraft. The guild, originally named Abhorrent Taboo, which now goes under the name Vile Anathema, apparently engaged in extreme kink typing and roleplaying about subjects like "Ageplay, Bestiality, Child Birth, Watersports" and "any other kink those playing may wish to explore." After complaints by other players, Blizzard disbanded the guild saying, "This matter is not one Blizzard takes lightly in any way, shape or form, and we do not wish to have this topic continue circulation ... Let it finally be said that we appreciate those of you who brought this particular issue to our attention and that we will continue to follow up with this matter in the future to ensure the safety of all parties concerned."The issue gets murky in terms of public perception because of some comments made by the guild leader which became public. The guild leader allegedly said, "I want to defend us, but I also want to defend the pedosexual community." The key point here is that the guild leader is talking about pedophiles who don't actually molest children -- the thought isn't illegal, the real-life action is. So are people who engage in that fantasy while roleplaying in WoW (while in private chat with a consenting individual) doing something wrong? Of course, this is an extreme example. There are also issues about age verification for the erotic guild. Many general-purpose guilds have age guidelines set up for the comfort of their members. It's also easy to argue parents should be doing their jobs and monitoring their child's online activity and who they associate with. This whole issue is full of deep social and sexual questions, but in the end it is Blizzard's game. We're not expecting the World of Warcraft sexual revolution anytime soon.And because we couldn't resist, (it's an oldie but a goodie as) WoW meets porn and Broadway after the break.
Leipzig, booth babes, video, nudity, NSFW
The picture above is about to get NSFW in one frame ... in just one frame it goes from normal marketing cosplay to borderline furry pron. GameTrailers put together a Girls Gone Wild-esque segment of all the Leipzig booth babe fit for video (which we have placed after the break). We joke, the video is very tastefully done, as tasteful as one can get editing together flesh shots meant to titillate. On some level it's great culture context, for our puritan American eyes, public displays of boobies burns us they do.Leipzig obviously takes a different approach to displays of the female form than E3. Although it was a moot point this year, the last "real" E3 had a ban on booth babes. We re-emphasize that the video after the break is not safe for work, don't come crying to us if your boss catches you -- although, for all we know, he might be into furries.
Second Life sex program lawsuit
A sex program for virtual world Second Life has forced its owner to hire real-world lawyers to hunt down the identity of a person who has been allegedly reselling his work. Kevin Alderman, who created the sex program and owns Eros LLC, makes realistic genitalia and creates sexual moves for Second Life citizens. He's been doing it for about four years now. An avatar named "Volkov Catteneo" stole the code Alderman created and has been reselling it. When Alderman confronted the avatar, the person behind it said, "What are you going to do? Sue me?" And that's exactly what Alderman is trying to do.Linden Labs, who owns Second Life, says they are unaware of any other real-world litigation going on between customers of the game. The key to this suit is that items created by users in the game are "owned" by them, along with the copyright. Although this suit involves the titillating concept of sex, it's your run-of-the-mill copyright infringement and theft story. Alderman's suit does not specify damages but his lawyers are currently subpoenaing PayPal records and putting together the virtual paper trail of theft. Fred von Lohman, a lawyer for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, locks it up saying, "This seems like a relatively straightforward case. It sounds like there is a real copyright issue."
Playing Dirty: Going head to head in bed
Every other week, Bonnie Ruberg contributes Playing Dirty, a column on sex and gender in video games: Like every good story, a good game needs a conflict. Sometimes the conflict is obvious (aliens are attacking Earth, you're trapped in a haunted mansion, someone is trying to kick your ass). Other times, it's less obvious (blocks are falling from the sky, the timer is running out, if you don't collect enough cherries you'll never get that bigger house). Whatever the conflict is though, the goal of the game is always the same: to resolve it. Maybe you kill the aliens, or kick his ass, or fit the blocks into perfect rows. The important thing is you win by overcoming conflict. My question is this: What kind of conflict is there in a sex game?
The dirtier side of DS homebrew
With a title such as Hotel Dusk, you can see that the Ninendo DS market is interested in more mature titles -- but just how mature? Eric Caoili of Joystiq sister site DS Fanboy has amassed a list of five homebrew titles that show the DS for the sexual deviant mainstream media has occasionally labeled it.The prevailing parallels between each title is that sex is a predominant theme, but it is tackled in a shallow and surprisingly softcore fashion. As per the usual sex-themed titles found online, the gameplay itself is a simple minigame with little thought required to succeed (the one exception is Virus DS) and, as Caoili quips, R-rated movies feature more taboo content.What we'd love to see is more mature content, but we'd also like handled in a mature way. For the games industry to tackle more serious topics like other entertainment industries do would be a step in its maturity. And, for the games intended for more private sessions, even those in the homebrew community, how about a little more effort put into their development?As Caoili notes, adult titles are not going to come from major publishers anytime soon. If you want to see these games proliferate and grow, you have to support the homebrew scene. The linked article is for adults only and is most certainly NSFW.
Naughtiness on the Nintendo DS
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Naughtiness_on_the_Nintendo_DS'; The Nintendo DS's software library is diverse enough to satisfy almost every genre craving or niche interest. If what you're looking for, however, is a game with more mature themes -- nudity and sexual content -- it's doubtful that your needs will be met. Japanese dating sims and witch fondling titles notwithstanding, the DS doesn't have any Leisure Suit Larrys, Hot Coffee mods, or even porno-Tetris clones.But just like any other scene, the Nintendo DS has a network of people working outside of the fringe to create those illicit goods you'd never ask for at a respectable shop. They hustle their homemade software from the back-alleys of the internet, each downloaded bit transferred in a nondescript paper bag.We're going to take you through that DS underworld, previewing a selection of homebrew games that are sure to arouse your interest. So put the kids to bed, light those candles you've been saving for a night like this, and slip into your robe and wizard hat. This feature is for adult eyes only!
Intimate controllers remind us that touching is good
After designing a Pong controller built into a bra (touch the left cup to move left, the right to move right), Jennifer Chowdhury heard the term "gamer widowhood" where men essentially abandoned their wives in favor of playing video games. This got the ole gears turning: could a game actually bring couples closer together? Behold the solution: Intimate Controllers.The idea is simple: a dozen sensors are built into a matching pair of boxers and a bra. The couple wears the undergarments and watches the game screen nearby with their hands placed on each other. At various points in the game players will need to touch certain sensors on their partner in order to progress (yes, let your imagination run free with that one). After watching the video, you'll realize there are many, many reasons you'll want to get further in this game.Jenny's thesis project is a fascinating concept, and we're not just saying that for obvious reasons. Playing video games with other people is a form of bonding, but the Intimate Controllers take the idea and run with it. You get to play a game, and there's lot of groping going on in the process. We really don't see a down side.[Thanks, Steve]%Gallery-2971%
Sex games look to stake their claim
Much like Michael W. Smith circa 1990, adult video games (read: sex-based) are looking for their place in the world. But the industry's lady lumps are faced with some significant humps to get over, first and foremost: Their games aren't sold in stores. But in speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, many publishers of adults-only titles seem to be optimistic about their future in a gaming retail landscape that is increasingly digitalized. The piece (by Joystiq contributor Bonnie Ruberg) makes a compelling case for a day in the not-too-distant-future when sex games will be able to find a real foothold, citing publishers like Manifesto Games who are willing to take on adult titles and developers like Brad Abrams of VirtuallyJenna who are finding outside-the-box ways to promote their games. The article also notes the increasing size of the Sex and Videogames Conference, held annually -- in our pants. Actually, the venue hasn't been announced yet, so while it could be our pants, we'd bet on San Fransisco. Not that we'll get an invite now. Unfortunately, there's no mention of homemade sex games becoming more popular, which is bad for us, because we had a great joke about XXXNA. ... Actually, that was the whole joke, so we're fine.[via GamePolitics]
Gallery exhibit looks to teach parents about video games
Brenda Brathwaite is a vocal advocate within the industry known for frank discussions on sex, censorship and ESRB issues. Recently she was awarded the 2007 Presidential Fellowship at the SavannahCollege of Art and Design to create a lecture and gallery exhibit titled, "What You Don't Know About Video Games..." The installation is aimed at parents and others unfamiliar with video games and the industry. The lecture is designed to cover all kinds of topics like ratings, game content, career options and the good video games are doing in all kinds of fields.The portion that Brathwaite is most excited about is the exhibit. It'll be in an actual gallery space and will give parents a hands-on guided tour of video games at every rating level from E to AO. The latter, of course, will not be readily viewable, and not at all viewable by those under 18. Brathwaite says, "For me, the motivation comes from both being a parent, a game designer and an acquaintance of many parents who know little about our industry, or believe that video games 'are just for kids,' or some great violence-filled, blood-soaked evil ... Hopefully, they'll come away more knowledgeable about our industry, excited about the games we make and better able to make informed choices at retail."For those who have seen Brathwaite speak, she knows how to keep an audience's attention. She explains large concepts in a clear and entertaining manner. If there is anyone we think can explain the industry to parents evenly by showing the good and the bad -- it's Brathwaite. We'll learn more about exhibit details and look forward to some preview photos as the opening draws near. What we're really hoping for is a good internet video of the lecture and exhibit for those who can't get to Savannah but want to see it -- or show it to someone who should.
Playing Dirty: Searching for sex in Club Penguin
Every other week, Bonnie Ruberg contributes Playing Dirty, a column on sex and gender in video games: Sex is everywhere. That's true in real life, that's true on the internet, and that's definitely true in online games. But whether we like it or not, sex doesn't always involve the people we think it should. I'm not just talking about the Second Life-er who tells you she's a twenty-five-year-old woman and turns out to be a forty-five-year-old man. I'm talking about kids. Specifically, I'm talking about sex in online games designed for children. If you came within a fifty-feet radius of Raph Koster at GDC last month, you've probably heard his two cents on the how gaming is being taken over by companies from outside the industry who make games that don't even register on our radar. Koster did mention Korean MMOs, but what he really focused on were kids games. In particular, he pointed the wobbly finger of prediction a virtual world called Club Penguin. With 4.5 millions unique users in December, 2006 alone, Koster claims Club Penguin can rival the largest online games in the world. He seems to be right. My question is, with that many people playing, there must be sex in Club Penguin, right?
Xerox wants to extract demographic information from web surfers
The age of Big Brother everywhere is certainly upon us, and while we've seen (or at least heard of) tracking devices being implanted in the most unusual of places, it looks like Xerox is hoping to join the devilish fray. In an attempt to craft a demographic extractor to garner marketing dollars galore, a recently filed patent application spells out a system that utilizes software (and potentially hardware) to map users to "centroid vectors" which would determine a person's age, sex, and other "private" information simply based on their website visits. Interestingly, test cases are reportedly showing a respectable "75-percent accuracy rate" so long as a "sufficient number of pages were visited." Still, we can't imagine any tracing technology would be lawfully allowed behind the backs of law-abiding citizens (right?), but considering that even your TiVo has the potential to sell your soul to lucrative ad agencies, we wouldn't put it past 'em.[Via ArsTechnica]
Bartering in Warcraft, trading mounts for mounts
While gold farming is running rampant through all of World of Warcraft, another type of trading altogether has appeared: sex for gold. A woman has posted a Craig's List ad, picked up by Primal Devolution, looking for 5,000 gold in order to buy her epic mount (zing).In exchange you get ... her. "I play a level 70 night elf druid and would prefer someone who was into roleplaying (I have a costume!) boy honestly anyone will do, as long long as you have the gold. I would also be ok with a woman too, as long as you have the gold!"She wants to see a picture of your character with the gold ... oh yeah, and you have to be drug / disease free. Yikes folks, just ... yikes.[Thanks, Cips]
Playing Dirty: We fit together!
Every other week, Bonnie Ruberg contributes Playing Dirty, a column on sex and gender in video games: Watching Alexey Pajitnov receive the First Penquin award at this year's Game Developer's Choice Awards, it occurred to me I'd never really thought about the face behind Tetris. Sure, I'd heard Pajitnov's name plenty of times, but the man himself, and that lovable, Santa-bought-hair-dye beard, those were off the radar. Who knows what I expected of the infamous Russian: someone stiffer, more stand-off ish, a gaming visage for the Cold War itself. Not that Tetris has much to do with politics. In fact, for me, the game has always represented something totally different. I associate Tetris with sex. At first, the idea sounds absurd. Colored blocks remind you of sex? Deprived gamer alert! But think about it: the point of Tetris is to make things fit together. Blocks float down to fit in the spaces left open by other blocks. When things fit together right, they make a solid line, a happy, unified whole. When they don't fit right, blocks leave ugly, open patches, the gaping black bane of Tetris existence. To win the game, you need to make sure every block finds its hole.
Are gay characters becoming a 'non-troversy'?
For the second year GLBT members of the gaming industry had roundtable discussions to explore their place in the business. Issues like an International Game Developers Association special interest group were discussed, along with establishing Human Rights Campaign corporate equality index numbers for all game companies. The developers who didn't have domestic partner benefits at their companies believed that it was a simple oversight, not a decision point, by their employer. One of the stand-out moments was the discussion over the 'non-troversy' of gay game characters.Designer Jeb Havens who led the roundtable sessions coined the "non-troversy" phrase to explain the Bully boy-on-boy kiss. An incident that many believed would blow up, but ended up being a bullet point. The non-troversy continued last week with Peter Molyneux's announcement that gay relationships would be allowed in Fable 2, even though it was an "accident" in the original Fable. As the roster of gay characters increases, which according to a recent study are wanted much more in RPGs, could gay characters become non-troversies in games like a Gears of War sequel? The film V for Vendetta was used as a prime example of how the gaming industry could incorporate gay issues that don't distract from the game's story, but actually help propel the plot.
Sony's 'Home' sex haven in disguise (perhaps?)
That Sony's new social channel "Home" looks suspiciously like Second Life is hardly news to anyone who's seen the footage from Harrison's keynote. What I couldn't help giggling about the whole time he showed off the world, though, was just how much sex is going to happen in Home. Realistic avatars? Private spaces? Customization? Think about Second Life. So. Much. Sex. If there was any doubt, just remember Harrison's sample character who was supposed to say "Hi" but said "Ho."Of course, sexy gamers are bound to have questions. Can avatars take their clothes off? (Probably not.) Will the system support user-generated content that animates sex, like pose balls? (I wouldn't bet on it.) But if MMOs and social networking have taught us anything, it's that people will always find a way to get it on. Just pimp out your pad with downloaded gear, maybe get some porn streaming on your walls, and let the Home sex begin.
Joystiq interviews Brenda Brathwaite about sex and games
One could say Brenda Brathwaite wrote the book on sex in games -- and they'd be right. She is the author of Sex in Video Games, lead designer on Playboy: The Mansion, founder and chair of IGDA's Sex Special Interest Group and professor of game design at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Brathwaite spoke with Joystiq about next week's Game Developer's Conference, how to keep sexual content under control and the story of the year that really got her blood pressure elevated.At the Game Developers Conference this year you'll be talking about the business end of designing erotic games. What does that mean?We're doing two roundtables this year at the request of previous attendees: designing erotic games and, second, the business end of erotic games. This will give attendees a chance to really get into each issue deeply. When it comes to designing erotic games, I expect we will probably cover such things as appealing to a diverse sexual audience, incorporating fetish play, MMO design, and pitching games to existing adult stars and publishing powerhouses. There's also interest from many people in solving that M-rated issue: how can we maturely incorporate mature themes into the narrative of the play – the same stuff you'd see in an R-rated movie – without being locked out of retail? Games have certainly done it, and as our ability to tell stories in games increases, figuring out how to do it well is becoming more an more an issue. The average gamer is a guy in his 30's, you know. Shows from Lost to Grey's Anatomy feature mature storylines that we, in games, feel at risk to take.
Wii Sex sequel hits the tubes
With the previous video making them famous on the internet (which, we all know, is equal to being the most attractive person in the freak show at the circus), the folks responsible were quick to churn out a sequel. Although, in a lot of ways, it lacks the charm of the first video, Wii Sex 2: The Half-Assed Sequel is pretty much that: a half-assed sequel. As always, we've embedded it past the post break.
