ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on how sexualities are experienced and expressed through digital games. It addresses three key areas of research relating to sex and games: sex-as-mechanic; cybersex and erotic role play; and sex and the single player. The chapter discusses cybersex and erotic role-play, looking at how groups of players use digital games to play with sexuality and sexual themes and topics and at past research, which has conceptualised the ways in which games lend themselves to pushing sexuality to the 'brink' of social acceptability. It looks at how sex has been incorporated into online virtual worlds through a discussion of cybersex and erotic role-play. In the gameplay, players must press buttons on the game controller in response to on-screen prompts in order to synchronise their avatar's thrusts and achieve orgasm – a system reminiscent of 'rhythm action' titles and the 'quick time events' incorporated into many action games.
