Mature Content in Games: Gratuitous, Gloss or Essential?

Editorial by: Tangycheese


For a long time now (or what seems like a long time, anyway) some people (mostly concerned parents) have been questioning the necessity of mature content in games, in particular gore. Certainly, computer games are an easy and useful scapegoat for not-exactly-gifted parents, but is there actually some truth in their ramblings? Why is there so much mature content in games these days?

Most of it is to do with the fact that games players these days have matured slightly to those of old. No more are games something just for kids. And software producers know it. The average age of games players has risen markedly of late and this is mostly to do with the fact that games are now appealing to the older player, by adding in the realistic touches that children's games couldn't include. It seems reasonable that software companies do target the older audience, because quite frankly most children can't afford games and software on a regular basis, and, after all, these companies are in the business primarily to make money.

Quake 2 on the PC (and also on PSX, N64, etc etc) is one of the most successful games of the modern era. Realistic, gory, and downright fun, it allows stressed-out players to vent their frustrations on realistic-looking computer characters. Just what the doctor ordered. And let's face it, first person shooters wouldn't be nearly as successful as they are today without gore and the occasional adult theme here and there.

But not all games need such themes to attract the older players.

Going back a few years, there was a wonderful game called Theme Park. A good, wholesome game, suitable for the whole family. Sure, having your rides blow up was a pain in the butt, but other than this you couldn't help but like it. The game was absolutely superb, and is one of my favourite games on the PC even now. And what's more, other than the thugs who beat up your entertainers from time to time, there wasn't a hint of violence to be seen. And it was hellishly addictive, as well as being very, very successful as well.

And of coures there's one of the most famous games of all time - Tetris - which is also free of any adult themes, and so on. Games don't rely on adult themes to make them fun. Perfect Dark would still be fun, even if it were completely free of blood altogether. It does of course add that realism that people crave. Games have become a means of escaping reality to a fantasy realm in a consequence-free environment.

And now that programmers have the means to make games more believable, why not make use of that technology?

Of course, some games just try a little too hard to be realistic. Duke Nukem in particular on the PC contains swearing, pornographic images and a lot of violence. Ok, maybe because of it's genre, we can forgive the violence factor. It doesn't really go overboard with the blood, so that's ok. Any parent should know that a game like that WILL contain some blood and guns. But there is absolutely no need whatsoever for the pornos and the swearing at all. It just means there will be a far more limited audience who play it, and future Nukem games.

And that's just one example. There are plenty more where that came from. In general, however, the average programmer is responsible enough to know when to draw the line in most games. And certificates on games do help to keep the game limited to those who were intended to play it. But of course these are never infallible, and there is always a risk of them being given to underage gamers by relatives and so on.

Adult themes in games are certainly more of a gloss than anything else. Certainly they're not necessary in the least, as Theme Park and Tetris more than prove. But do we really want to get caught up in a world where the only way to survive is to shoot a massive gun at your enemies? And we have to bear in mind that there are some people out there who are unable to differentiate between real life and computer games, which can, and indeed has, had serious consequences in the past.

Maverik's response:
It's a big issue, adult content in games, and one which has been contentious in the past. Neither Tangy nor I profess to be experts in this area, but it seems to me that, while perhaps the demand for censorship in games may be a little excessive and hypocritical, the issue isn't so clear-cut. I think that the 'concerned parents' Tangy mentions may well have a point, and should be admired for caring about their children and what exposure to adult content may do, however simulated or unrealistic. As Tangy notes, games provide a consequence-free environment, and while this certainly allows players to blow off steam - I too find going on a crazed rampage in Goldeneye rather therapeutic - there is a risk that a few people, particularly the young, may be influenced by the lack of consequences. I don't think it's fair to say that games are the causes of violence or other criminal or immoral activities, and it's also highly likely that people influenced negatively by games could just as easily have been influenced by movies or magazines. But at the same time, desensitizing people to animated or simulated violence may well be the first step to desensitizing them to real-life violence.

Regarding other adult content, as Tangy says, there really isn't much justification for obscene language and porn in games. Sure, they may be part of real life, but they are hardly necessary or desirable. Games that use this content are, as a rule, doing it for gratuitous purposes alone, and while this may be popular with a number of sections of the community, criticism from various groups seems well-justified.

Mature content can be an important part in maintaining realism, but it's still not something that should be thrown into games for no purpose. Providing it has a purpose, and that developers at least take reasonable steps to see that it finds its correct market, I accept and approve of it; but, despite the vigorous denials of gaming enthusiasts, some caution should be necessary.