Microsoft Puts the Kibosh On Kinect Sex Game Plans

theodp writes "Microsoft's Kinect has been out for less than two months and already there's an adult company looking to produce a 3-D sex game for the Xbox 360 console. But Microsoft immediately shot down any speculation that the game will pass the certification process. 'This isn't the first example of a technology being used in ways not intended by its manufacturer, and it won't be the last,' a Microsoft spokesman said in a statement. 'Microsoft did not authorize or license its technology for this use. Xbox is a family friendly games and entertainment console and does not allow Adults Only content to be certified for use on its platform, and would not condone this type of game for Kinect.'"

Comments

Family friendly

[Anonymous Coward]

Xbox is a family friendly games and entertainment console

Well how do they think people get families? Duh.

Here's the demo video

[QuantumG]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bk7AMY_ocU&has_verified=1

Make the game for PC/Mac/Linux.. the Kinect just plugs right in.

Re:Obligatory

[Fluffeh]

Fuck you, Microsoft. ;-)

Yes, thank you for that wonderful insight, but rather than that, this is again a case that is much bigger than what people are seeing - or bigger than some people want it to be.

Does a company really have the power to decide who and what can be developed for a piece of hardware it makes? Today they are saying no to an adult game. Okay, sure, I wouldn't want my kids getting their hands on this game, but that is up to ME as the parent to monitor and choose.

I thought this was part of American "First Sale" doctrine? As in, once someone buys it, they are allowed to do anything they like with it? I would say a lot of people will agree with this choice today, but what happens when the precident is already set and they start making decisions that folks don't actually like?

Shit like this annoys me

[Sycraft-fu]

Not so much the not making a sex game, after all just because it is based on sex doesn't mean the game would be any good at all, but the "We won't certify AO games." Screw you. I get rather tired of ratings systems working so that the highest rating is effectively a ban. You see this all the time. When was the last time you saw an AO game? How about an NC-17 movie?

The thing is I'm not even after sexual titles, I'm just after something that perhaps has more adult content, and that can include violence or disturbing topics, than allowed by an M/R rating. However because companies like MS and Walmart (Walmart won't sell AO/NC-17 titles) get all prudish about it, we can't have that.

Also the amount of sexual content that push something to that limit is stupidly small. For example: Ever see American Pie? How about the unrated version? If you have seen the original, but not the unrated version, and some time has passed, I encourage you to get and watch the unrated version. Then when you are done, see if you can even tell what the difference was. It is extremely minor, only a few scenes with minor alterations. What's the deal then? Well the "unrated" version was the original cut, as the director wanted. However the MPAA said they'd have to hang an NC-17 on it, which means no theater would play it. So the director made the cuts they wanted to get an R rating. It was then released unrated (remember ratings are 100% voluntary) on DVD later. However were it rated, it'd get an NC-17 and thus nobody would carry it.

It annoys me greatly. I don't mind content ratings, I can appreciate how they are a useful guide for parents, particularly since with $50-60 videogames "Just buy it and play it first," isn't a viable plan. However I get tired of them being used as effective censorship. Just rate the games and sell them dammit, let the market decide.

Re:Shit like this annoys me

[causality]

What is more annoying is when people claim businesses are guilty of censorship. I'm not even sure you can even call it censorship if people, business or any privately controlled entity determines what they will endorse, sell, disclose, etc. That's just called using judgement, being responsible, marketing, making money, etc. Instead, get annoyed when governments and media outlets censor.

Microsoft is free to choose not to produce games containing sex and/or nudity if they don't want to do that. That would be "judgment" and would be deciding "what they will endorse, sell, disclose, etc."

However, Microsoft is saying they don't want anybody else to produce games containing sex and/or nudity. That's beyond exercising their own discretion. That's more like saying "because we don't want to do this, no one else should do this either". Leveraging their ownership of a console to enforce this may be fully legal but that doesn't make it right or justifiable or anything other than censorship.

Licensing?

[poptones]

So does Ford. I can't make and sell a Mustang unless Ford says I can use that name and their parts. But I can buy a fucking Mustang and do what I like with it and resell it. I can also make shit to add onto the Mustang without Ford having right to say what is what. Somehow just because a device now incorporates electronics to provide the core sum of its functionality that right is taken away? Bullshit. It's like Ford being able to sue someone because they used an F150 to flee a ban robbery, or refuse to sell and Aztek to a teen because they might have sex in the back seat.

Re:Licensing?

[Kaz Kylheku]

Your example doesn't hold, because you can sell aftermarket parts that fit Ford Mustangs.

Of course it would be fraud if you claimed if those were Ford factory parts.

But nobody is trying to claim that some sex game came from Microsoft.

This is about Microsoft wanting to own the platform after they sold it to you.

If User A and User B both own instances of the same platform, A should be able to develop something that B is interested in, without some meddling third party dictating what that should be.

``B can get the tools and make it himself''' is not a rational argument. What A and B cannot do is engage in trade with regard to the platform.

Essentially, they are renters, and not owners.

Re:Licensing?

[CelticWhisper]

Which is still different from the Mustang case. You can develop, produce, and install an accessory for the car and have it perform how you intended (assuming you're good enough to make it do that) with or without Ford's permission. You can distribute an Xbox game with or without Microsoft's permission, but actually using it for anything more than a coaster (I know, I know, digital distribution) is an entirely different story.

The difference is that of the two devices you own, the car and the Xbox, one can be modified (aftermarket parts put on) with the expectation of reaping the full benefits of that modification, and the other can be modified (homebrew software written and installed) with no expectation whatsoever of any functionality at all from that modification unless the hardware manufacturer says so.

This should not be.

Let's stop using euphemisms like "family friendly"

[cazort]

I wish people would not use vacuous euphemisms like "family friendly" when they really mean "free of explicit sexual content". The "family" label is so silly in my eyes, since without sex, there would be no children and thus no families. If Microsoft wants to restrict the subject matter of their games, I'd like them to at least be up front about the type of control and censorship they are exercising. And personally? I think it's rather hypocritical given the ubiquity of violence used in video games. My personal opinion is generally that "sex is good, violence is bad", so if I were going to target one or the other, I would cut out the explicit violence before I started any sort of censorship of explicit sexual content. Make love, not war!

Sex is bad but Murder is okay

[erroneus]

How many times do we have to explain this to people? Sniping, hand-to-hand, rocket launchers, rail guns, grenades, claymores and even nuclear attacks are ALL "good family oriented fun" and of course Grand Theft Auto is just good clean fun. But sex? NO! That's just dirty and no one ever does that.

Re:Obligatory

[causality]

You are allowed to do anything you want with your console. Microsoft isn't obligated to make it easy for you, however.

It's funny how their decision-making parallels American television censorship customs.

Want to show a hardcore war-themed game? Ok. Does it involve gruesome up-close violence? That's fine. Showing someone getting their head blown off at point-blank range with a shotgun? That's alright, just make sure it's realistic.

Want to show a pair of breasts? Not cool. Does it involve graphic depictions of sex between consentual adults? Not acceptable. That'd be obscene, and we will use licensing and any other means available to shut you down.

The message? Graphic violence is OK and normal and natural. Sex is obscene, uncommon, not a part of normal adult life, and must not be shown for any reason.

Anybody else think maybe we have this backwards?

The game is not even being developed for the 360

[brunes69]

MS can not stop the development of this game since it is not, nor has it ever been, made for the 360. The game is made for the PC using the open Kinect drivers available everywhere on the web.

family friendly?

[farble1670]

Xbox is a family friendly games and entertainment console

sure, check out the titles below. in the good ol' USA violence IS family friendly.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas--"... mission includes murder, theft, and destruction on every imaginable level. Player recovers his health by visiting prostitutes then recovers funds by beating them to death and taking their money. Player can wreak as much havoc as he likes without progressing through the game's storyline."

God of War--"Player becomes a ruthless warrior, seeking revenge against the gods who tricked him into murdering his own family. Prisoners are burned alive and player can use 'finishing moves' to kill opponents, like tearing a victim in half."

NARC--"Player can choose between two narcotics agents attempting to take a dangerous drug off the streets and shut down the KRAK cartel while being subject to temptations including drugs and money. To enhance abilities, player takes drugs including pot, Quaaludes, ecstasy, LSD, and 'Liquid Soul'--which provides the ability to kick enemies' heads off."

and more!
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/gta4/news.html?sid=6140463

Re:Are You Stupid, Disingenuous, or just Childless

[erroneus]

That difference depends entirely on you.

The fact is, you can't get away from sexual crap even if you only watch the Disney Channel. It's the fact that you think sex is inherently harmful to children proves that you already have the wrong idea engrained in your psyche. Let's draw another analogy that is closer to the truth of the matter:

Knives and Fire. They are not inherently bad. They are, however, bad if not handled properly. You can get cut, burned or even die if not properly respected. Sex is VERY similar in those respects.

So instead of teaching children (little girls and little boys) that sex is bad, dirty and they shouldn't do it (because the conflicting messages will exist and screw up their brains no matter how hard you try) teach them what and who it is for and what bad things can happen if they aren't careful. And most importantly, lead by example!!

It's really not that hard. Sex is *private." Good. We understand that easily enough -- we don't poop and pee in public too often. Sex is fun. There's no denying that -- it's such a natural need that no one needs to be told and telling people that their natural needs are "wrong" just screws up people's minds. Sex comes with risks and can result in a screwed up life!!! Teach children the TRUTH and lead by good example and it will work!!!

DON'T tell kids to eat properly while you don't and are an obese slob.
DON'T tell kids not to smoke while you remain addicted.
DON'T tell kids sex is bad while you are still doing it and that sex is what brought them into existence.

You are the reason kids are so screwed up and grow up into screwed up adults. And your parents and surrounding society is the reason you are screwed up. Break the cycle here and now.

Re:Obligatory

[PPH]

We're raising a warrior tribe. Where tolerance of and comfort with violence and carnage is essential. And so is motivation based on sexual abstinence. How else do you expect us to mount the next Crusade?