The ESRB's "Adults Only" ratings symbol

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), the video game content rating board for North America, has issued an "Adults Only" (AO) rating for 26 released video games. AO is the highest rating in the ESRB system, and indicates the game's content is suitable only for players aged 18 years and over.

The majority of AO-rated games are adult video games, typically those with pornographic or strong sexual content. Four games have been given the rating solely due to extreme levels of violence: the canceled Thrill Kill (1998), the initial cuts of The Punisher (2005) and Manhunt 2 (2007), and Hatred (2015). The only game to receive the rating for reasons other than pornographic content or extreme violence 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 limit the availability of AO-rated games, thus the rating has been described as a "kiss of death" by journalists, and is considered 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. Steam permits them, but hides them by default.[8] Most retailers refuse to stock them, and the popular video game live streaming service Twitch forbids streaming them.[9] In light of these regulatory challenges, most AO-games have been released for personal computers, and nearly all erotic game publishers forgo the rating process entirely and sell on unregulated marketplaces.

Games released with an AO rating

Release Title Platform Publisher ESRB content descriptors Notes
1993 The Joy of Sex[10][11] CD-iPhilips MediaStrong sexual content
1995 Crystal Fantasy[12][13] Mac, WindowsMacDaddy EntertainmentStrong sexual content
1996 Cyber Photographer[14][13]
1997 All Nude Cyber[15][13]
All Nude Glamour[16][13]
Riana Rouge[17] Mac, WindowsBlack DragonRealistic blood and gore, strong sexual content
1998 All Nude Nikki[18][13] Mac, Windows MacDaddy Entertainment Strong sexual content
Erotic Heat Vol. 4: Body Language[19][20]DVDNuTech Digital Strong sexual content
Wet: The Sexy Empire[21] Windows CDV Software Entertainment USA Strong sexual content
2000 Playboy Screensaver: The Women of Playboy[22] MacSony ImagesoftMature sexual themes
Sexy Games[23] Mobile phoneNicoscelesSexual themes, partial nudity
Singles[24] WindowsEidos InteractiveNudity, strong sexual content
2001 Snow Drop[25] Windows Peach PrincessStrong sexual content
Tokimeki Check-in![26]
Water Closet: The Forbidden Chamber[27]
X-Change[28]
2002 Critical Point[29][30]Strong sexual content, violence
2003 Peak Entertainment Casinos[31] 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.[32][33]
2004 Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude Uncut and Uncensored[34][35] WindowsVivendi Universal GamesMature humor, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of alcohol
2005 Lula 3D[36][37] Windows CDV Software Entertainment USABlood, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, violence
2006 Playboy: The Mansion: Private Party[38] WindowsGroove MediaNudity, strong sexual contentExpansion pack for Playboy: The Mansion.
2009 Manhunt 2 (uncut version)[39][40][41] Windows Rockstar Games, Take Two InteractiveBlood and gore, intense violence, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs[41][42]
2013 Seduce Me[43] 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.[44][45]
2014 Ef: A Fairy Tale of the Two[46][47] 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.[48]
2015 eden* PLUS+MOSAIC[49] 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.[50]
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.[51][52][53]

Games that received, but were not released with an AO rating

In some cases, a game that initially received an AO rating from the ESRB was edited prior to their initial release in order to meet the criteria for an M rating. In selected cases, an AO-rated game was cancelled prior to its release, temporarily received the rating post-release due to the inclusion of normally-inaccessible content that met the rating, the uncut version of the game was released at a later date with an AO rating, or an unrated or self-rated version, patch, or downloadable content (DLC) was released via a platform with more liberal content rules (such as Steam).

Release Title Platform Publisher ESRB content descriptors Notes
1998 Thrill Kill[54] PlayStationVirgin InteractiveAnimated blood and gore, animated violenceThe game's release was cancelled after publisher Virgin Interactive's U.S. operations were acquired by Electronic Arts, which objected to the game's subject matter.[55]
2004 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[56] Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox Rockstar Games, Take Two Interactive Blood and gore, intense violence, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs Originally 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 released a patch that removes the offending content entirely.[57][58]
The Punisher[59] Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox THQ Blood and gore, drug reference, intense violence, strong language The game was edited prior to release to meet the M rating, including adding a black and white visual effect to the "interrogation" sequences, which typically consist of the player committing various brutal torture methods to an enemy or innocent victim. If an NPC is killed in these scenarios, the camera also usually zooms in on the Punisher's face instead of depicting their death.[60]
2005 Fahrenheit[61] Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox AtariBlood, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs and alcohol, violenceSex scenes were edited out of the game to meet the M rating for its North American release, which was also retitled Indigo Prophecy. Quantic Dream CEO Guillaume de Fondaumière remarked that many players imported the uncut European release instead.[62] The ESRB lists a "director's cut" of the game on PC as having an AO rating,[61] but it is unknown if this was ever publicly released. A 2015 remaster of the game received an M rating with no cuts.[63][64][65]
2007 Manhunt 2[39][40][41] PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii Rockstar Games, Take Two InteractiveBlood and gore, intense violence, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugsThe game was edited prior to release to meet the M rating.[66][42] In 2009, an uncut version was released for PC under the AO rating.[41] Both cuts were also refused classification in the United Kingdom, but Rockstar successfully appealed for an "18" rating on the M-rated edit.[67][66][68]
2017 Outlast 2 Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch Red Barrels Blood and gore, intense violence, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content The game was edited prior to release to meet the M rating.[69] In 2018, the game's PC version released a patch on Steam that reinstated the cut content.[69] The Australian Classification Board originally refused to give the game a classification, effectively banning it from being released until an edited version was granted an R18+ classification.[70]
2018 Agony Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch PlayWay, Forever Entertainment Blood and gore, intense violence, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content The game was originally given an AO rating, but was edited in order to meet the M rating.[71] The game's developer Madmind Studio intended to release a patch for the PC version to restore the cut content,[72] but it was blocked by its publisher for "legal reasons".[73] The game was reissued on Steam as the self-published Agony Unrated in October 2018, which is uncensored and contains other patches and improvements.[73]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Big A.O." IGN. 22 June 2007. 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. 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. ↑ Hoffman, Chris (12 September 2018). "How to View Adult Only Games on Steam". How-To Geek. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
  9. ↑ "Twitch bans Adults Only-rated games from streaming". Polygon. 27 May 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-05-28. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  10. ↑ "The Joy Of Sex". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  11. ↑ "The Joy of Sex". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-12-10. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  12. ↑ "Crystal Fantasy". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "Games Published by MacDaddy Entertainment, Inc". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-11-17. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  14. ↑ "Cyber Photographer". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  15. ↑ "All Nude Cyber". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  16. ↑ "All Nude Glamour". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  17. ↑ "Riana Rouge". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  18. ↑ "All Nude Nikki". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  19. ↑ "Body Language". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  20. ↑ "Erotic Heat Vol. 4: Body Language". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-11-14. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  21. ↑ "WET - The Sexy Empire". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  22. ↑ "Playboy Screensaver :The Women Of Playboy". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  23. ↑ "Sexy games". ESRB. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  24. ↑ "Singles". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  25. ↑ "Snow Drop". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  26. ↑ "Tokimeki Checkin!". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  27. ↑ "Water Closet: The Forbidden Chamber". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  28. ↑ "X-Change". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  29. ↑ "Critical Point". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  30. ↑ "Erotic Heat Vol. 4: Body Language". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-11-14. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  31. ↑ "Peak Entertainment Casinos". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  32. ↑ "20 years, 20 questionable game ratings: A timeline of ESRB oddities". Ars Technica. 16 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2019-01-27.
  33. ↑ "ESRB clarifies position". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2019-01-26.
  34. ↑ "Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude Uncut and Uncensored". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  35. ↑ "Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude -- Uncut and Uncensored". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-12-11. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  36. ↑ "Lula 3D". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  37. ↑ "Lula 3D". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-12-10. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  38. ↑ "Playboy the Mansion: Private Party". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  39. 1 2 "Manhunt 2 PC gets AO rating". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2014-03-04. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  40. 1 2 "Manhunt 2". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2015-05-28. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  41. 1 2 3 4 "Manhunt 2". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-12-11. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  42. 1 2 "The Manhunt Saga: ESRB assigns AO rating". Ars Technica. 20 June 2007. Archived from the original on 2013-12-13. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  43. ↑ "Seduce Me". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  44. ↑ "Is Porn Right for Games?". IGN. 7 January 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-03-14. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  45. ↑ "No Sex Please, We're Gamers". GamesIndustry.biz. 5 September 2012. Archived from the original on 2014-03-14. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  46. ↑ "ef - a fairy tale of the two". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  47. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-02-04. Retrieved 2015-01-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  48. ↑ "Why MangaGamer Bothered Submitting An Adult Visual Novel To The ESRB". Silionera. Curse, Inc. 24 October 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-10-28. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  49. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-02-04. Retrieved 2015-02-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  50. ↑ 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.
  51. ↑ "Hatred given Adults Only rating in US and Canada". Polygon. 16 January 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-01-16. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  52. ↑ Campbell, Colin (October 16, 2014). "The worst trailer of the year revels in slaughtering innocents". Polygon. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  53. ↑ 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.
  54. ↑ "Thrill Kill". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  55. ↑ "EA kills 'Thrill Kill' game before release". ZDNet. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  56. ↑ "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas ["AO" Version]". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-12-10. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  57. ↑ "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.
  58. ↑ "San Andreas rated AO, Take-Two suspends production". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2013-12-26. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  59. ↑ BBFC (2020-08-03). "The Punisher". www.bbfc.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
  60. ↑ "This Game Is Not Yet Rated: Inside The ESRB Ratings System". Gamasutra. UBM plc. October 16, 2007. Archived from the original on March 19, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  61. 1 2 "Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Director's Cut: PC CD ROM". ESRB. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  62. ↑ "No Need To Import Heavy Rain In America". Kotaku. 17 December 2009. Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  63. ↑ "Twitch enforces US 'adult only' ban worldwide". Wired UK. Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  64. ↑ Chalk, Andy (29 January 2015). "Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Remastered is now on Steam". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 29 January 2015.
  65. ↑ Matulef, Jeffrey (17 June 2016). "Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Remastered is coming to PS4 in July". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016.
  66. 1 2 "Manhunt 2 denied UK release". CVG. Future. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  67. ↑ "Manhunt 2 will see Halloween release date after getting M rating". Ars Technica. 24 August 2007. Archived from the original on 2013-12-13. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  68. ↑ Matt Wales (3 October 2008). "Manhunt 2 Dated in UK". IGN. Archived from the original on 2012-02-15. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  69. 1 2 "Outlast 2 Adds Content That Was Too Adult for Original Release". Game Rant. 2018-03-28. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  70. ↑ Usher, Will (2017-03-30). "The Scene That Almost Got Outlast 2 Banned In Australia". CINEMABLEND. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  71. ↑ "Madmind Studios will censor horror game Agony to appease ESRB". TechSpot. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  72. ↑ "Agony Had To Be Censored To Avoid An Adults Only Rating; PC Version Can Be Played Uncut". Dread Central. 2018-04-19. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  73. 1 2 "Agony Unrated officially confirmed, will be cheap for existing owners". PC Gamer. October 22, 2018.
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