Sex in Video Games

I know it may be an old topic, but I never realized just how far sex in mainstream video games have evolved until I got to play a game called Dragon Age Origins in my PC recently. I haven't been playing PC games that much for the past few years, but I read a review of the game and a friend also heartily recommended it, so I decided to try it out.

For you PC gamer addicts, I'm sure you're familiar with the game. For everybody else, its basically a role playing game where you assume the role of like a warrior, mage or rogue and battle evil beings.

So I played the first few nights and before long I was hooked. It was the same old dungeons and dragons stuff that I used to play back in the days. So nothing new there except for the really good graphics. But the main difference was that there was a lot of interaction with the characters in the game. Such that you can actually get a character to fall in love with your character and then they have video sex.

The first time this happened, I was shocked. What the heck! I mean it was quite funny and the woman character was in bra and panties. But there was no mistaking the scenes that were being portrayed. Man on top, woman on top. The shock factor was not because of any moral indignation on my part, but more because it was totally unexpected in a mainstream RPG.

So now, you're wondering. Can you do it with another character ? So I buttered up one of the other female characters to make her fall in love. And waddya know, she also agrees to have sex. And then the 2 computer characters you had sex with are now fighting because your character wooed both of them and they are asking you to choose between them.

The dialogues were hysterically funny and as a self confessed morally depraved human being. I have to admit it made the game much more compelling. I am certainly not going into the issue of the morality of portraying sex in video games that can be accessed by kids. I mean, half of the movies that are being shown now have sex scenes in one way or another and they are certainly much more graphic and revealing. But my curiosity was piqued so I surfed the net and read some of the comments made on the game and I find out that you can actually do sexy time between same sex characters in the right circumstance. Yep! So gay sex and lesbian sex is also included. So as not to alienate certain portions of society. Heheh.

I'm guessing its just a normal evolution. As video game graphics get more realistic, then I'm guessing the designers have to make the scenarios more realistic also. I am sure that the addition of sex no matter how awkwardly handled has made the games sell better as the people who play these kinds of games probably get a big kick out of fulfilling their fantasies in whatever form they can get it.

Now if I can just find a hack to remove the bra and panty ........... ;)

UPDATE 05/04/10
Attached sample pic from the net just so you have an idea what I am talking about

Hoping for Thunder

We're right smack in the middle of the first round of the NBA playoffs and everything appears to be going as expected except for two matches. The Mavs and the Spurs where the Spurs are currently beating the tar out of the Mavs and leading the series 3-1. I can't really say this is unexpected as the Spurs are a tried and tested playoff team with the trio of Duncan, Parker and Ginobli anchoring them. Although they are getting old, the emergence of George Hill and the addition of Jefferson has been enough to keep the team in the playoff race with an outside chance of getting to the finals.

Can't say the same for the Mavs who have a reputation of being soft and playoff chokers. Nowitzki got some support this year with the addition of Marion and Butler. But they just can't seem to get over the hump. Even though they finished 2nd in the regular season, they are in danger of getting eliminated again. I think Mark Cuban is scratching his head trying to figure out what the heck is wrong with this team. He has poured millions of dollars into getting complementary players to no avail. My opinion is that it lies directly with your star player. Some players can kick it up a notch during playoffs and carry their team (Lebron, Kobe). Nowitzki cannot seem to do it.

The other more interesting match-up is between the Lakers and Thunder. The Thunder behind a run and gun hustling game are making the Lakers look old and have currently tied the series at 2-2. Everyone predicted this to be a sweep and although the Lakers are probably still going to win this one. I am secretly hoping for the Thunder upset. Durant has shown his huge potential this season and together with Westbrook, Green, Harden and Ibaka are giving Phil Jackson and Kobe all that they can handle. If they can just continue this energy thru the last 3 games, then they have a good chance of stealing this one in 7 games. Kobe appears to be somewhat bothered by his injuries and the Laker point guards Fisher and Farmar cannot guard the speedy Westbrook. Durant has actually been off his game (guarded by Artest) and the Thunder can still win comfortably. So if he figures this out and gets his groove, the Lakers might find themselves eliminated in the first round.

I know there are a lot of Laker fans here in the Philippines especially Kobe fans. I for one have always rooted for the Lakers since the Magic Johnson days. But you can't help rooting for the young Thunder team who are the underdogs but have shown great resiliency. If they steal this one, I don't think David Stern would be that disappointed. Even though there won't be a Lakers-Celtics or Lakers-Cavs possibility. The idea of a young team with only 20+ wins last season possibly taking it all the way is also a good story line and will be milked for what its worth. Durant vs Lebron doesn't sound so bad. Heheh.

Still No Poker but Turning Japanese

As the title suggests, poker is still taking a back seat to my everyday life. Not really playing that much. Just came back from a trip to Osaka Japan though. And it was one of the coolest countries I've visited. People are so polite, it is relatively clean and the food is awesome. I always had the impression that the food is expensive in Japan, but the opposite is true. There are lots of small places that you can go to where the price is reasonable and the food is delicious. Curry, Ramen, Udon, Huge Beef Bowls, Tempura. YUM.

Places to visit are of course Universal Studios, the Kaiyukan Aquarium, Den Den Town for electronics and Osaka Castle. Just make sure to cop one of those cheap flights from Cebu Pacific and the total cost for the trip is surprisingly only slightly higher than a Hongkong visit and you get to experience a totally different and unique culture. Hongkong is already too common as everybody has been there including their maids.

The only negative during a March visit to Japan is the weather. The average was around 6 to 8 degrees and for us warm blooded filipinos. Way too cold.

Notables from the trip include (1) seeing so many pretty Japanese ladies in their ubershort skirts. My wife had to turn my head back a couple of times or else I would bump into something. Heheh. (2) Getting a shirt from Uniqlo with a Mazinger Z design. OK. For those who are not familiar. UNIQLO is a clothing store that originated from Japan which now has many branches in Asia including China, Singapore and Hongkong. It is like the GAP of Asia. It offers fashionable and good quality clothes for men and women at very reasonable prices. Be sure to visit their stores whenever you see them around Asia. Mazinger Z is a cartoon about a robot. Together with Voltes 5, it was one of the mainstay programs that I watched during my childhood. Seeing a shirt with Mazinger Z on it. My geeky side couldn't resist. (3) Heated toilet seats with automatic bidets and dryers. This may sound totally weird and out of this world. But after having experienced this in cold weather. I have become a convert. I want one here in the Philippines if I can get one. Heheh. (4) Eat all you can sushi in a rotating sushi conveyor. My cousin and I finished 45 plates between the 2 of us. BURP (5) 100 Yen Stores like Daiso. I know we already have them here. But the Japanese stores have tons more stuff in them. I got a set of earphones for 100 yen. Also a nice pair of boxer shorts. Of course you can't expect high quality but still that's just 50 pesos. (6) Japanese chocolates. Lots of different kinds to choose from. From high quality fresh chocolates to Kit Kat Green Tea Flavor.

Some people might have a problem with the language as almost all Japanese people cannot speak English. Even the hotel staff have a hard time communicating. But the people are so helpful and polite that it is still easy to get around. Just be ready to make silly hand gestures and lots of finger pointing and bowing. Their subways and trains are very well organized with accurate schedules. If they say it arrives at 9, then it arrives at 9. I don't think I took a train or bus that was late during my whole stay there. Just get one of their subway maps and you should be able to roam around at your leisure.

What else can I say ? Great place for a vacation. I am definitely going back when I get the chance.