Starting with something a little controversial

As can be seen in the above video, the new Japanese game Rapelay has caused a fair amount of controversy. This is not suprising considering some of the games features, which include options for:

- a variety of sexual positions.

- forced blowjobs.

- an internal ejaculation meter, which gauges the risk of pregnancy.

- threesomes.

Rapelay brings to the forefront the argument of game regulation: where should we draw the line in the sand between what is and isn’t acceptable to put in a videogame?

On one side of the debate, the more popular side, it is argued that a rape game goes too far and comes too close to reality to be allowed. This side argues that the content of the game is too shocking and as stated above far too similar to reality to put in a video game and thus there is too significant a chance that it will influence the people playing it to commit rape in real life. This side of the debate also sees the game as being discriminatory towards women (for obvious reasons) and the game has been used as an example as to why games should be more strictly regulated.

Considering the above information, it is not surprising that the Japanese government has faced immense criticism for allowing the game to be made and sold in stores. However there is another side to the debate.

This side argues that are plenty of other games, which incorporate far worse violence than rape. In fact, the majority of popular games on the market incorporate, often highly graphic, murder. This insinuates the argument that, as murder is considered a worse crime than rape, a rape game should not be banned. They also give the example that; cases where a child has been influenced by a violent video game to murder someone are incredibly rare. So, this will most likely be the same case with a game such as Rapelay.

In my opinion, while I would play this game myself, or condone it for my children (if I had any!), the game should be left on the market, but should not be sold or available to those under the age of 18. It should be up to a child’s parents as to which games they are and aren’t allowed to play and there are games currently on the market, which involve far more graphic violence. Quite an interesting and controversial use of digital technologies!