Ian Bogost\'s column on Watercooler games is definitely worth the read. Not only does he outline some of the issues inherent in creating a bureaucratic committee to deal with these issues, but he also provides an armload of links to some of the best indy games dealing with sex and sexuality (although nobody is mentioning Sociolotron for some strange reason).

Check out Bogost\'s article, \"Why the IGDA\'s new Sex & Games SIG goes limp\" here.

Read the IGDA press release announcing the formation of their Sex in Games Special Interest Group below.


PRESS RELEASE

Group to Address Issues Related to Development of Adult Content in Games

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - August 15, 2005 - A Sex Special Interest Group (Sex SIG) has formed within the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) to address the challenges and possibilities for adult content within games. The Sex SIG, which has been in the making since the 2005 Game Developers Conference last March, will provide an outlet where information can be shared among developers and those who wish to enter the field.

\"The Sex SIG will serve as an arena for developers to address the issues and challenges facing the use of adult sexual content in video games," said Brenda Brathwaite, Sex SIG Chair/Founder and Lead Designer on Playboy: The Mansion from Cyberlore Studios. "Our main objective is to encourage responsible development."

The Sex SIG will serve as a source for related industry news and will provide an online discussion forum and mailing list to promote developer interaction. The group is also working on several initiatives to fortify adult content representation, including conference lectures and white papers outlining responsible development practices and how to promote appropriate access to content.

\"Sexual content in video games is not a new phenomenon," said Jason Della Rocca, Executive Director, IGDA. "Recent events are merely intensifying the attention to the topic, further validating the need for developers to connect on these issues."

For more information on the IGDA\'s Sex SIG, please visit:
http://www.igda.org/sex