educational

Video Games Go Hardcore

Editor's Note: Among the many confluences of technology underway, one that offers an intriguing appeal is the merging of adult entertainment with immersive video game technology. While still in its infancy, such hybrid offerings illustrate not only the maturation of the gaming marketplace, but of video gamers in general – pointing the way for forward-thinking marketers.

One of the earliest versions of an adult video game was 1982s controversial "Custer's Revenge" which depicted a very pixelized naked Custer having sex with a tied-up Indian maiden. Needless to say it didn't go over very well with women's and Native American groups. And its maker Mystique went down the drain shortly after. But jump ahead 20 years, and, boy, have times changed.

Over the last few years, the market has grown to include numerous titles containing adult content. Whether it is the topless, swearing strippers in "BMX XXX" or the happy roommates who finally have intercourse in "Singles: Flirt Up Your Life," video games are no longer just for kids. Many games rated M (or mature) contain nudity, sex and adult language.

According to the Entertainment Software Association, the average game buyer is 36 years old. In 2003, 92 percent of people who purchased video games were 18 years or older. ESA Spokesman Dan Hewitt states that 11.9 percent of the games issued in that year were rated M.

In the first quarter of 2005, Playboy will release its first video game, "Playboy: The Mansion." Introduced at gaming expo E3, reviewers glowed with praise at the layers of sophistication the game displayed, the many play options, and, oh yeah, the nudity and sexual activity.

In "The Mansion," marketed by Arush Games, the player gets a chance to role-play as notorious playboy Hugh Hefner and build up the business, the house and his social calendar. The player can also arrange photo shoots with Playboy cover models. However, there are reports that the toplessness and sex play have been toned down since the game's E3 debut, despite its M rating.

Two Vivid contract girls, Sunrise Adams and Tera Patrick are also reportedly starring in a (not yet rated) video game called "Back Yard Wrestling," which does not yet have a release date.

And another M-rated game, "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City," lets players take a job working in an adult film studio and listen to the sexy voice of Jenna Jameson as she portrays Candy Suxxx. Players can also buy a strip club and pick up prostitutes for sex play.

According to the Video Software Distributors Association, "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" ranked as the sixth top-selling video game of 2003, and as the second most-rented video game of the same year.

"There is an unrealized demand for games with more mature themes," said VSDA spokesman Andrew Mun. "We are facing challenges from the Legislature though, who are trying to restrict certain ages from buying certain games."

The newest version of the game, "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas," is the top 10 mostsearched term on many gaming websites and was recently released before Christmas, its maker predicts.

"We sell games that are rated M," said Scott Paul, a manager for Arush Games. "'Grand Theft Auto: Vice City' is one of the most popular, best-selling games we have. So yes, M-rated games are hot. The gaming industry is going to evolve to meet the needs of the generation X'ers, who are now in their 30s."

Stay tuned for more on this exciting new venue for adult entertainment!

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

WIA Profile: Reba Rocket

As chief operating officer and chief marketing officer of Takedown Piracy, long at the forefront of intellectual property protection in adult entertainment, Rocket is dedicated to safeguarding the livelihoods of content creators and producers while fostering a more ethical and sustainable industry.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

Protecting Content Ownership Rights When Using AI

In today’s digital age, content producers have more tools at their disposal than ever before. Among these tools, artificial intelligence (AI) content generation has emerged as a game changer, enabling creators to produce high-quality content quickly and efficiently.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

How Payment Orchestration Can Help Your Business

An emerging payment solution is making waves in the merchant world: the payment orchestration platform (POP). It’s quickly gaining traction as a powerful tool for managing online payments — but questions abound.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Fine-Tuning Refund and Cancellation Policies

For adult websites, managing refunds and cancellations isn’t just about customer service. It’s a crucial factor in maintaining compliance with the regulations of payment processors and payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

WIA Profile: Laurel Bencomo

Born in Cambridge, England but raised in Spain, Laurel Bencomo initially chose to study business at the University of Barcelona simply because it felt familiar — both of her parents are entrepreneurs. She went on to earn a master’s degree in sales and marketing management at the EADA Business School, while working in events for a group of restaurants in Barcelona.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Gregory Dorcel on Building Upon His Brand's Signature Legacy

“Whether reflected in the storyline or the cast or even the locations, the entertainment we deliver is based on fantasy,” he elaborates. “Our business is not, and never has been, reality. People who are buying our content aren’t expecting reality, or direct contact with stars like you can have with OnlyFans,” he says.

Jeff Dana ·
opinion

How to Turn Card Brand Compliance Into Effective Marketing

In the adult sector, compliance is often treated as a gauntlet of mandatory checkboxes. While it’s true that those boxes need to be ticked and regulations must be followed, sites that view compliance strictly as a chore risk missing out on a bigger opportunity.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

A Look at the Latest AI Tools for Online Safety

One of the defining challenges for adult businesses is helping to combat the proliferation of illegal or nonconsensual content, as well as preventing minors from accessing inappropriate or harmful material — all the more so because companies or sites unable or unwilling to do so may expose themselves to significant penalties and put their users at risk.

Gavin Worrall ·
opinion

Know When to Drop Domains You Don't Need

Do you own too many domains? If so, you’re not alone. Like other things we accumulate, every registered domain means something to us. Sometimes a domain represents a dream project we have always wanted to do but have never quite gotten around to.

Juicy Jay ·
opinion

Understanding 'Indemnification' in Business Contracts

Clients frequently tell me that they didn’t understand — or sometimes, even read — certain portions of a contract because those sections appeared to be just “standard legalese.” They are referring, of course, to the specialized language used in legal documents, including contracts.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
Show More