ABSTRACT
Continuing on from the previous chapter about binary yes/no choices to have sex, this chapter focuses on the importance of consent in video game sex, both in terms of the player and in terms of the characters. Both the players’ and characters’ consent to observe/participate in sexual content should be respected with options to skip scenes or clear signals about what is about to happen. Also, while most games tend to feature consensual sex, they do not always model explicit communication or enthusiastic consent; this is partly due to the cultural stereotype that consent involves plaintive questioning (“may I do X?”) as opposed to more erotic or collaborative models. Enthusiastic consent (i.e., not just “okay” but “HELL YES!”) should be explored through verbal and nonverbal communication, with scope for branching choices about what characters want to do, or alternatives they suggest instead. Reluctant consent, where the character participates only due to present circumstances rather than interest, should be avoided unless the whole point of the games is to explore such events; in which case, this intent should be clearly signaled. The workshop questions invite players to analyze consent in existing games and model consent in their further works.
