List of AO-rated video games

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), the video game content rating board for North America, has issued an "Adults Only" (AO) rating for 29 games. AO is the highest rating in the ESRB system, and indicates a game is only suitable for players age 18 and over.

For further information about the AO rating, see Entertainment Software Rating Board § Adults Only rating.
The ESRB's "Adults Only" ratings symbol

The majority of AO-rated games are adult video games, those with pornographic or strong sexual content. The rating has also been issued for three games due to extreme levels of violence: the canceled Thrill Kill (1998), the initial cut of Manhunt 2 (2007), and Hatred (2015). The only game to receive the rating for other reasons is Peak Entertainment Casinos (2003), which allows players to gamble using real money. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) was temporarily re-rated from M ("Mature") to AO after a sexually-explicit minigame was found hidden in the game, but the M rating was reinstated after Rockstar Games patched out the content.

Self-imposed restrictions by publishers and distributors restrict the availability of AO-rated games, thus the rating has been described as a "kiss of death" by journalists, and is essentially a ban.[1][2][3] All three major video game console manufacturers (Nintendo,[1][4] Microsoft,[5] and Sony[6][7]) prohibit AO-rated games from being published on their platforms. Most retailers refuse to stock them, and the popular video game live streaming service Twitch forbids streaming them.[8] The only mainstream distributor which permits AO-rated games is Steam, which hides them by default. In light of these regulatory challenges, most commercial video games with explicitly erotic content are developed for the web or PC, not submitted for ratings, and sold on unregulated marketplaces such as Nutaku.

List
Release Title Platform Publisher ESRB content descriptors Notes
1993 The Joy of Sex[9][10] CD-iPhilips MediaStrong sexual contentFirst game to receive the rating.
1995 Crystal Fantasy[11][12] Mac, WindowsMacDaddy EntertainmentStrong sexual content
1996 Cyber Photographer[13][12]
1997 All Nude Cyber[14][12]
All Nude Glamour[15][12]
Riana Rouge[16] Mac, WindowsBlack DragonRealistic blood and gore, strong sexual content
1998 All Nude Nikki[17][12] Mac, Windows MacDaddy Entertainment Strong sexual content
Body Language[18][19]DVDNuTech Digital Strong sexual content
Thrill Kill[20] (unreleased) PlayStationVirgin InteractiveAnimated blood and gore, animated violenceShelved by Electronic Arts after buying Virgin Interactive due to internal objections to its subject matter.[21] It is the first AO-rated game to receive the rating due to violence rather than sexual content.
Wet: The Sexy Empire[22] Windows CDV Software Entertainment USA Strong sexual content
2000 Playboy Screensaver: The Women of Playboy[23] MacSony ImagesoftMature sexual themes
Sexy Games[24] Mobile phoneNicoscelesSexual themes, partial nudity
Singles[25] WindowsEidos InteractiveNudity, strong sexual content
2001 Snow Drop[26] Windows Peach PrincessStrong sexual content
Tokimeki Check-in![27]
Water Closet: The Forbidden Chamber[28]
X-Change[29]
2002 Critical Point[30][31]Strong sexual content, violence
2003 Peak Entertainment Casinos[32] Online, WindowsPeak EntertainmentGamblingPeak Entertainment, a provider of online gambling services, submitted its product to the ESRB for an AO rating to demonstrate its commitment to discouraging underage gambling.[1] It is the only AO-rated game to receive the rating for reasons unrelated to violence or sexual content.[33][34]
2004 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[35] Windows, PlayStation 2, XboxRockstar Games, Take Two InteractiveBlood and gore, intense violence, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugsOriginally rated M, San Andreas was temporarily re-rated AO following the discovery of an incomplete "Hot Coffee" minigame that could be enabled with a mod or cheating device, which featured characters engaging in sexual intercourse. Its rating was changed back to M after Rockstar patched the game to remove the offending content entirely.[36][37] It is currently the only mass-released AO-rated game.
Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude Uncut and Uncensored[38][39] WindowsVivendi GamesMature humor, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of alcohol
2005 Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Director's Cut[40] Windows AtariBlood, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs and alcohol, violenceIn North America, an M-rated edit of Fahrenheit was originally released under the title Indigo Prophecy; Quantic Dream CEO Guillaume de Fondaumière remarked that many players imported the uncut European release instead. A 2016 remaster of the game received an M rating with no cuts.[41][42]
Lula 3D[43][44] Windows CDV Software Entertainment USABlood, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, violence
2006 Playboy: The Mansion: Private Party[45] WindowsGroove MediaNudity, strong sexual contentExpansion pack for Playboy: The Mansion.
2009 Manhunt 2 (initial uncut version)[46][47][48] Windows Rockstar Games, Take Two InteractiveBlood and gore, intense violence, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugsManhunt 2 was originally given an AO rating,[49] but was edited by Rockstar to meet the M rating so it could be released on consoles.[50] In 2009, an uncut version was released for PC.[48] Both cuts were also refused classification in the United Kingdom, but Rockstar successfully appealed for an "18" rating on the M-rated edit.[51][50][52]
2014 Ef: A Fairy Tale of the Two[53][54] Windows MangaGamer Blood, nudity, sexual violence, strong language, strong sexual contentUnlike other self-rated games by MangaGamer, this game was sent to the ESRB at the request from the Japanese developer in order to get a green-light for a hardcopy release in the United States.[55] The game was already self-rated 18+ for the digital release.
2015 eden* PLUS+MOSAIC[56] WindowsMangaGamerNudity, strong language, strong sexual contentThis game was sent to the ESRB at the request of the Japanese developer in order to get a green-light for the release in the United States.[57] The all-ages version of this game is also rated.
Hatred WindowsDestructive CreationsBlood and gore, intense violence, strong languageThe game, along with its Steam Greenlight campaign, had been controversial due to its premise, which focuses on a main character who indiscriminately murders every person he encounters.[58][59][60]
Seduce Me[61] Mac, Windows No Reply GamesStrong sexual content, nudity, strong language, use of drugsDeveloped by a studio led by former Guerrilla Games employees Miriam Bellard and Andrejs Skuja, it was pulled from the Steam Greenlight program for its sexual content.[62][63]

See also
  •  Video games portal

References
  1. "The Big A.O." IGN. Archived from the original on 2013-12-10. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  2. "Retail murder: ESRB rates Manhunt 2 'Adults Only'". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  3. "Factor 5 CEO blasts the ESRB at GCDC, and he's right". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. 20 August 2007. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  4. Sinclair, Brendan (20 June 2007). "Sony, Nintendo refuse to allow AO rated games on their consoles". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  5. Kuchera, Ben (2007-07-17). "Peter Moore on AO-rated games: "You have to draw the line somewhere"". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  6. "Rating and Parental Controls". PlayStation. Retrieved 2020-07-17. PlayStation does not publish Adults Only games.
  7. "Vivid: Sony said no to PS3 porn streaming". CNET. Archived from the original on 2010-06-05. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  8. "Twitch bans Adults Only-rated games from streaming". Polygon. Vox Media. 27 May 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-05-28. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  9. "The Joy Of Sex". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  10. "The Joy of Sex". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-12-10. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  11. "Crystal Fantasy". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  12. "Games Published by MacDaddy Entertainment, Inc". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-11-17. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  13. "Cyber Photographer". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  14. "All Nude Cyber". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  15. "All Nude Glamour". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  16. "Riana Rouge". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  17. "All Nude Nikki". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  18. "Body Language". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  19. "Erotic Heat Vol. 4: Body Language". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-11-14. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  20. "Thrill Kill". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  21. "EA kills 'Thrill Kill' game before release". ZDNet. CNET Networks. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  22. "WET - The Sexy Empire". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  23. "Playboy Screensaver :The Women Of Playboy". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  24. "Sexy games". ESRB. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  25. "Singles". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  26. "Snow Drop". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  27. "Tokimeki Checkin!". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  28. "Water Closet: The Forbidden Chamber". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  29. "X-Change". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  30. "Critical Point". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  31. "Erotic Heat Vol. 4: Body Language". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-11-14. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  32. "Peak Entertainment Casinos". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  33. "20 years, 20 questionable game ratings: A timeline of ESRB oddities". Ars Technica. 16 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2019-01-27.
  34. "ESRB clarifies position". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2019-01-26.
  35. "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas ["AO" Version]". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-12-10. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  36. "FTC Hot Coffee ruling scalds, but doesn't burn Take-Two". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on July 8, 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2006.
  37. "San Andreas rated AO, Take-Two suspends production". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2013-12-26. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  38. "Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude Uncut and Uncensored". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  39. "Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude -- Uncut and Uncensored". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-12-11. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  40. "Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Director's Cut: PC CD ROM". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  41. Nast, Condé. "Twitch enforces US 'adult only' ban worldwide". Wired UK. Conde Nast. Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  42. "No Need To Import Heavy Rain In America". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  43. "Lula 3D". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  44. "Lula 3D". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-12-10. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  45. "Playboy the Mansion: Private Party". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  46. "Manhunt 2 PC gets AO rating". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2014-03-04. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  47. "Manhunt 2". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2015-05-28. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  48. "Manhunt 2". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-12-11. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  49. "The Manhunt Saga: ESRB assigns AO rating". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. 20 June 2007. Archived from the original on 2013-12-13. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  50. "Manhunt 2 denied UK release". CVG. Future. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  51. "Manhunt 2 will see Halloween release date after getting M rating". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. 24 August 2007. Archived from the original on 2013-12-13. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  52. Matt Wales (3 October 2008). "Manhunt 2 Dated in UK". IGN. Archived from the original on 2012-02-15. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  53. "ef - a fairy tale of the two". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  54. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-02-04. Retrieved 2015-01-29.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  55. "Why MangaGamer Bothered Submitting An Adult Visual Novel To The ESRB". Silionera. Curse, Inc. Archived from the original on 2014-10-28. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  56. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-02-04. Retrieved 2015-02-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  57. Sahdev, Ishaan (October 24, 2014). "Why MangaGamer Bothered Submitting An Adult Visual Novel To The ESRB". Siliconera. Curse, Inc. Archived from the original on 2014-10-28. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  58. "Hatred given Adults Only rating in US and Canada". Polygon. Vox Media. 16 January 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-01-16. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  59. Campbell, Colin (October 16, 2014). "The worst trailer of the year revels in slaughtering innocents". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  60. Crossley, Rob. "Gabe Newell Steps in to Reinstate Controversial Shooter on Steam". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2015-05-30. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  61. "Seduce Me". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  62. "Is Porn Right for Games?". IGN. Archived from the original on 2014-03-14. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  63. "No Sex Please, We're Gamers". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on 2014-03-14. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.