The Saboteur, EA's game about aiding the French resistance against the Nazis, has optional in-game nudity, but only alludes to actual sex. It's an obvious distinction, but not one often discussed by those who discuss mature content in games.
But that distinction did come up during an interview between Saboteur lead designer Tom French and Techland's Tracey John:
Techland: We've seen other EA titles, like Mass Effect and Dragon Age: Origins, stir up controversy for featuring sex. What do you think needs to happen for mature content to be accepted in gaming and by the mainstream public?
French: I think it is just nudity, to a degree. There are definitely moments in our game where we allude to the idea of sex, but we never actually take it to that level. We're never actually seeing the whole act of sexuality, but we're imbuing that sexuality into the world.
Not that the game does allow users to input a code to make the exotic female dancers in the game's main cabaret club topless. The code also lets players get topless dances and unlocks new brothel hiding spots for your saboteur when he's on the run from Nazis. It's characters talk about sex, are even seen after having sex, at least once, but, no, you don't see sex in the game.
Earlier in the year, the full-frontal male nudity in Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and Damned did get a lot of attention. But in-game sex? Hasn't been a big topic — or a significant aspect — in games since the scuttled interactive sex in 2005's "Hot Coffee" GTA scene.
One thing at a time?
There's plenty more in the original article about why and how The Saboteur's nudity option was offered to players and how the developer hopes it finds only an appropriate audience.http://kotaku.com/5418003/the-sa…
Saboteur lead designer Tom French [Techland]