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Did Rockstar go too far with DLC?
Full frontal male nudity in DLC a good thing? Or no?
by spleendingo
As I'm sure you've all heard by now, the DLC for "Grand Theft Auto IV" entitled "Lost and Damned" contains a cut scene that shows full frontal male nudity. Yes, I mean a penis.
Female nudity (or at least big, bouncy breasts whether in costume or not) has been a staple of many video games in the past. "God of War" and "God of War 2" both showed sweater puppies, out of the sweaters, before engaging in their sexual mini-game.
It seems as if we have, if not condoned, at least tolerated these images of the uber female in what is considered to be a male "dominated" activity. Even female gamers have been known to say that they saw nothing wrong with the sexualization of women in games.
Therefore, I can accept this content into the DLC. But the question still remains: How far is TOO far for video games? After all, breasts are above the waist. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe there has ever been a mainstream game that has showed us a vagina up close and personal. And before anyone starts with obscure Japanese games, or the "blink and you miss it" glitches, I'm talking about a best selling, highly rated game. Such as GTA IV is.
I believe in free speech. My favorite quote is actually: "I may not believe in what you're saying, but I will, to my death, defend your RIGHT to say it". That being said, I personally don't think this was necessary to further the story or gameplay. The earlier portion of the scene clearly indicates that the man is naked. That should have been enough.
Rockstar is known for pushing the envelope, and that's fine. But after the whole Jack Thompson debate and people blaming video games on everything from petty theft to murder, do we (as gamers) REALLY need to defend ourselves again? You can believe that parents will be complaining, politicians will be thumping their chests, and teenagers will be giggling and emailing the link to one another.
My personal opinion is this was not the right move to make for the gaming community. Remember, we're the ones who have to defend our hobby to people around us and to the media.
Oh, and let's not forget the forums and fanboys. I was on another forum earlier today about this. Sure enough, all the PS3 fanboys were calling all the Xbox fanboys "fags", "homos" and "sausage lovers" for downloading this. I realize it's because it's exclusive for the 360. I have both systems though, and thought that if there's one thing the internet absolutely does NOT NEED is flame wars over which system is better. Too much of that already.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on this subject! I may not be right, but I probably am lmao! :)
Comments
I believe a Mature Rating is your equivalent to your Rated R in movies. It's an obvious statement but true. I think we're finally get past the generation of naive parents with the "video games are for kids" mentality.
Since we have ESRB, developers should be allowed to do what they want with the maturity level they are going for. I can't tell you how much I hated it when I hear little kids playing a TEEN GAME! I've played Planetside, WoW, TF2, even L4D (L4D, the gore fest!). I hate it because I think the parents are stupid and I don't want to play with someone that young.
The rules and boundaries are there for young gamers. You can't rent a game with an M rating (I used to work at Blockbuster), or buy one unless you have an ID.
I feel like if there's an M rating, all is fair. Developers are hesitant to pass that boundary due to trying not to be the first "official point the finger out our company for naughty game" titles.
I've seen plenty of comedies that use male nudity as a punchline. Hell, look at Walk Hard. There's no reason that games shouldn't be allowed to do the same thing, and I found the scene hilarious. The Simpsons Movie pulled nearly the same gag and no one had a problem.
Why would full frontal be a bad thing? It's progressive, if you ask me.
Comment aside, dude needs to do some manscaping.
sigh...
If it was a naked chick, no one would care. Why should a dude be any different? I really don't think it's that big a deal. If R-rated movies can show a little nudity, why not games? Hey, it happens.
As for the PS3 fanboys calling Xbox owners "homos" and "sausage lovers", well, that's ridiculous, but just the type of ignorant nonsense I would expect from fanboys of any sort.
@ Sarah: Totally agree. Nine times out of ten we see scantily clad ladies and think nothing of it, but throw just one hint of a penis in there and everyone's up in arms.
And who wants to take bets that the PS3 fanboys would stop calling people homos if they could download this for themselves. Jealous much?
well, if it gets me called a "sausage lover" then sign me up!!!!
Look, I'm no "sausage lover" (although I do like a few links with a short stack of pancakes), but I have to agree with the majority in this situation. GTA IV is an adult game, plain and simple. We've seen tons of breasts (literally), ass cracks out the ass, and more thongs in fighting games than in all of Las Vegas. That Rockstar has finally crossed the line (pun totally intended) shouldn't be all that surprising.
What remains to be seen is what, if any, backlash Rockstar will suffer as a result of this decision once the mainstream media gets a hold of this story. Although, as near as I can tell, Rockstar seems to go out of their way to stir up controversy in the mainstream. I imagine all the free exposure on the news helps sales.
As stated before, it's not going too far; it's being progressive. I therefore applaud Rockstar for pushing the enveloppe.
@ J-Man: By envelope you mean penis, right?
Just so we're on the same page.
You know what I always say, the more naked dicks, the better. Wait, I don't say that.
LeBoeuf brothers always have dicks on the mind.
Who did the motion capture for the dong shot? I'll bet it was an awkward day on that particular sound stage...
If anyone is to take offense to this I would have to call that silly. Of course everyone has the right to their opinion but who's complaining about the masses of naked women? Not I. If people are offended over a penis they should complain about it in everything it appears in. I've seen movies with full frontal men and heard no debate. Why should there be anything wrong with the progression of acceptance in video games? All of mainstream media is turning more and more towards sex, if video games can't do it no one should be able to. I'm completely pro nudity, I mean how real is GTA supposed to be if there is no nudity? If the game is rated mature i'd like to see something that the majority of the mature audience actually is interested in. Who by my age (18) hasn't seen more naked bodies than they can remember? Bottom line, mature game needs mature content, i'm tired of being bullshited by the rating.
I am amazed at the thought and attention put into your replies! I can't believe I found a gaming site where people know how to spell, punctuate, and not call each other names for having a differing opinion.
Kudos to all :)
I would love a count of how many times the "F" word is said in LnD, and a penis is the controversy?
Sigh @ America.
*MUST . . . RESIST URGE . . . TO SPAM 'PENIS' OVER AND OVER AGAIN . . in COMMENTS BOX!!!*
@ Coop: Yeah, I guess you say that. After all, they did sort of shove it in our faces?
Showing T&A in games and movies has been more acceptable in society. It's also what makes a bad, bad movie half way decent. Showing wang... not so much. Besides, this game, really is made for guys. Statistically, look at how many guys to girls bought this. And I'm not including the girls who bought it for their boyfriends. Honestly, any guy who bought this game, does NOT want to see another guys junk. EVEN if it's virtual. But whatever, that's my opinion.
Then, Riphade, tell me: is that not some form of homophobia?
While, yes, some may disagree with or be offended by said content, the only people who should decide what is put into a work of art are the artists themselves.
Now, I would have to be inclined to agree that I would not want to see another man's "junk," but put into context, I can see its merit or justification. As FemJesse, said: ever watched Monty Python? Heck, even closer to home - and more recently too. I could name a few shows or games that display male nudity. As a more popular example: have you ever watched the uncensored version of The Boondocks? One of the very fisrt things you see is an old man's "junk." Is it more acceptable because it is on TV?
Regardless, it shouldn't matter whether it's on TV or in a video game. If breasts are breasts, then a penis is a penis. There's no (logical) reason why one should be more acceptable than the other.
But whatever, that's my opinion. And you have yours. Maybe we'll just have to agree on disagreeing.
To start off, I REALLY hope you're not calling me a homophobe.
No, not really. Homophobia is when you're afraid of gays. I, in no way, am afraid of them in any sense of the word. I just choose not to see another man junk. And yes, I say junk. I prefer not to be like the masses and say penis, dick, cock, etc. Especially when I am speaking of another man's privates.
Yes, I've seen Monty Python. The movies, not the show. I love them. As for The Boondocks, I really don't care for the show. I think it capitalizes on the fact that it says "nigger", "nigga" and whatever other ways it can be said. So, no. No cartooned old man dick for me to be seen.
As for "If breasts are breasts, then a penis is a penis", no. They're really not comparable. It would be more like "if a penis is a penis, then a vagina is a vagina".
Honestly, I choose to not see other males privates whether it be in a game, movie, or real life. It's just how I am. If that makes me a homophobe, than the majority of males in the world are homophobic as well.
Anyway, I agree with spleendingo. Rock Star went to far by doing this. Even if it was JUST for the attention. I give it about another day or so before the "angry mother brigade" comes out of hiding trashing video games again. Especially with this shit backing them up.