Heavy Rain Nudity: Finally Embracing "Tasteful"

I knew it would cause a firestorm of comments and controversy when it first hit the Internet and while I try to avoid such situations and confrontations (no real winners ever emerge), one should at least applaud Quantic Dream for sticking to its storyline-driven guns.

I'm relatively certain you've seen the video by now so I won't describe Madison's topless scene. However, having seen just about everything controversial this industry has had to offer over the years, from both the extreme violence and gratuitous nudity/sex camps, one particular aspect of that scene struck me immediately. Then, the instant after it struck, it dawned on me that I probably shouldn't be surprised, given everything we already know about Heavy Rain. This is a game that should redefine the concept of virtual storytelling; a project that I thought might present us with an entirely new "Intellectual Sub-Genre" and one that continues to impress me at every turn. A 2,000-page script is enough to be enticing, but it's the intertwining storylines, plot construction, and general character development that should be most impressive from a game standpoint.

So no, I shouldn't have been surprised when I realized that this nude scene was neither gratuitous nor inappropriate. I'm absolutely certain it fit the needs of the writers and creators, and therefore, it serves a definite purpose. It should be something that would be believable on the part of Madison's character and it shouldn't be what one might call a "throwaway scene." And then, looking back on other games where nudity and/or sex was involved, I realized that it rarely - if ever - has been tasteful and professionally implemented from an artistic standpoint. Maybe this is why the topic has been so controversial before: because it has only been included in games to titillate the teenagers. But now, if critics and gamers alike agree that Heavy Rain's nudity doesn't detract from the overall experience, and we agree that it's about as close to a movie as we can get these days, perhaps there won't be any controversy. Films that include this content, provided the content is done well, can escape such debate.

And maybe games can as well...now. Maybe this is exactly what we needed. This character is not a fantastical top-heavy, impossibly formed, brainless female from the likes of Team Ninja. She's nicely formed, yes, but hardly impossible, and I will assume she's an intelligent and rational individual. In other words, she does not exist simply for the sake of her looks; that scene doesn't exist only for cosmetic or lurid purposes, and the entire concept of nudity in the game - as a direct result - ceases to become an issue at all. Well, at least in my eyes.

9/25/2009 Ben Dutka

Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter

Comments (53 posts)

Toggle Scrolling | Reload Comments

Banky A
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 10:19:57 PM
Reply

Hakuna Matata

8 up, 1 down

cLoudou
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 11:56:39 PM

what a wonderful phrase.

Last edited by cLoudou on 9/25/2009 11:56:54 PM

6 up, 1 down

Silent_J
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 9:41:36 AM

it means no worries ......srry I couldnt help myself

3 up, 0 down

randomname
Monday, September 28, 2009 @ 2:48:43 AM

LMAO!

1 up, 0 down

godsman
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 10:20:10 PM
Reply

It's not cheap nudity like in GTA, that just shows a bunch of nudity. Even the GTA DLC where they show full frontal nudity, it's completely unnecessary. If I want to watch cheap nudity, there's plenty available in the internet

In the Heavy Rain, I'm sure people pretty much can guess why the girl is naked, and she does it for a reason. It strengthens the story. I will give this a chance, but I want to see the reviews before a purchase. Good quality game.

1 up, 0 down

HeXeN
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 10:24:55 PM
Reply

I'm still waiting for QD to announce a solid release date.

0 up, 0 down

LinTr
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 11:28:34 PM

Bingo. Can't go to bat for a game on vapourware...

0 up, 8 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 12:01:23 AM

Heavy Rain has never once qualified for such a term.

12 up, 0 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 10:31:27 PM
Reply

omg no, nudity = terrible. it obviously shouldn't be allowed in anything. actually you know what, I think the government should join up and put a stop to anything depicting nudity in any way, and even guys having their shirts off should no longer be allowed. Naked bodies are not supposed to be shown off visually to anyone but yourself and you're spouse. GRR!! Everyone knows we should have games that depict violence instead of nudity! We want are children growing up violent and angry, not perverted!!

/random talk
;D LOL, isn't that america views it tho? XD they show all these violent gore filled things, but as soon as any type of nudity pops up, it's a concern, I think some people have their priorities messed up. tsk tsk

9 up, 4 down

newchef
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 11:22:05 PM

was that sarcasm?

2 up, 3 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 11:24:12 PM

...............obviously? XD

4 up, 2 down

newchef
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 12:10:30 AM

lol good, you made it sound so serious

3 up, 2 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 12:31:55 AM

lol that was the point XD some people get too serious about it, sorry about the ppl thumb downing you =O it wasn't your fault, lol.

4 up, 2 down

Wage SLAVES
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 11:06:22 AM

Im baffled myself Legendary. Its ok to see someone get dismembered in SAW but it is an unthinkable to see the body parts we're born with?!

1 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 10:58:20 PM
Reply

Why do people panic so much?

This is clearly a game NOT for anyone under 17/18.

Heck, most under 18 persons have probably seen private parts in R rated movies already

Sooooo if the hammer should come down on anyone, movies should be the first ones to suffer from the hammer.

3 up, 1 down

JMO_INDY
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 11:10:18 PM

im buying this game no matter what, just get my brother to buy it for me, i dont want it for this nudity scene, I was and still am anticapating this game before I even knew it had nudity, I want the game for the intuitive storytelling, re-playablity, and the hope this could become a norm in the gaming and entertaining world alike. Heavy Rain is a must buy for anybody old enough to understand problems and situations coming at them from all angles, and I think i can handle this game at the age of 15.i think there should be a test you can take evry 2 years to see wheather or not your mature enough to buy a game, not this age crap, your age doesn't always represent your maturity level. i know it's a long shot, but we need a new rating system, but the ESRB is doing a fine job imo. Nudity or not, I want this game.

Last edited by JMO_INDY on 9/25/2009 11:10:57 PM

3 up, 1 down

godsman
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 11:15:16 PM

10 years ago, when people think of games, they think of kids. It is only normal to raise an uproar on nudity. Now that Wii introduced so many "adults" into the gaming market, it's only natural to have adult contents to follow along.

3 up, 0 down

newchef
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 11:24:04 PM
Reply

does any1 know the circumstances for the nudity, ben said it played a part in the story but never elaborated and i really havent heard much about this game

0 up, 0 down

JMO_INDY
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 12:16:46 AM

Shes performing a strip tease for a guy to get info. and......WHACK! hits the guy upside the head with a lamp, true story.

2 up, 1 down

Gregory Freeman
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 2:09:59 PM

it happened to a friend of a friend of mine...

1 up, 0 down

BlackBriar
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 11:35:11 PM
Reply

I can't wait for this game! It looks absolutely fantastic, and I agree if it's done properly and not for the sake of just being there for no reason. The story will be amazing and this game will make xbox fanboys bleed with envy! Sony said they are pushing the M rating to the limits with Heavy Rain, and I beg they will not make any changes just to please angry parents or whoever that complains about the game, That is what I fear. Stick to your guns, Sony!!

Last edited by BlackBriar on 9/25/2009 11:43:45 PM

1 up, 0 down

BlackBriar
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 11:51:29 PM
Reply

Also this not the only nude scene available in the game,I heard there will be more.

1 up, 1 down

chucknasty
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 12:48:56 AM

*crosses fingers* please don't be Norman's junk. Nudity is fine, dudity is never tasteful.

7 up, 1 down

Jalex
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 12:51:29 AM
Reply

I believe that nudity will slowly but surely become more and more acceptable in the realm of video games. But I doubt it will become more tasteful on average (we may see more games using it tastefully, but only because so many games will be employing it that a minority are bound to do it right).

And film is actually a good analogy of what will likely happen to video games. A certain element will become more and more common, yet it will almost surely remain the select few who utilize it properly.
Chronologically, 'Shopgirl' was the last film I viewed to have a tasteful nude scene. And not only did that film release nearly half a decade ago, but I have seen MANY a new film since.

Last edited by Jalex on 9/26/2009 12:51:58 AM

1 up, 0 down

___________
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 1:48:47 AM
Reply

oh great another game ill have to buy off ebay.
this will be banned for sure.

0 up, 1 down

BTNwarrior
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 2:39:53 AM
Reply

Tit's oh dear lord they showed tits, now all of americas children will walk around with hard ons and with no direciton or understanding of what those things are america as a whole will slowly decline into an evil version of itself where people ride around on suped up cars weilding guns killing each other over the one basic material that drives all life, tits

thank you Quantic Dream

2 up, 2 down

SkantDragon
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 3:16:52 AM
Reply

It won't matter whether it's 'tasteful' or not. People will freak. And that's unfortunate.

As for making a value call on whether this is more tasteful than other sexuality that's appeared in games before... personally, I don't buy any of that. Sex is sex. It's either acceptable, or it isn't. Trying to slide by on the idea that it's 'art' doesn't actually face the problem.

I look forward to the day when we look back on all the censorship the same way we look on women not having the right to vote.

2 up, 2 down

Aftab
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 5:10:51 AM

Frankly, I have not viewed the scene in Heavy Rain. But, as SkantDragon does, I, too, could care less even if the scenes did depict hopelessly gratuitous and out-of-place sexual themes.

Where I differ with others(as in the previous discussion) was that when people use the deceptive "natural" argument to defend the artificial commercialization of sexuality, or of the red-herring violence argument so as to justify something acceptably corrupt with something else acceptably corrupt, or the "education" argument so as suggest that we are seeking "enlightenment". Let's not kid ourselves.

And for the record Ben, I have lived long enough to understand the futility of arguing over something unchangeable with people who are not willing to listen and not even wanting to understand. But when I write, I am not trying to win a popularity contest, or heroically win a battle in front of an ambivalently neutral audience. I try to put out ideas just as others put out theirs... Not just writing for writing's sake...But, so that even if there are a couple of individuals who will understand, or at least question something that was just previously accepted, or considered obvious, then I feel my efforts have not been futile.

Last edited by Aftab on 9/26/2009 5:13:49 AM

1 up, 0 down

Aftab
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 5:30:09 AM

Oops. Ben, btw, I wasn't aiming the rant against you. The second point was based on a reaction from misunderstanding I had until I read a comment of yours somewhere else...ah, just never mind the second point...

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 4:22:00 AM
Reply

I'd like to see a Leisure Suit Larry game with these graphics. The last one was terrible.

1 up, 2 down

Gregory Freeman
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 2:11:16 PM

thats a really fun game :P

0 up, 0 down

A2K78
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 4:37:55 AM
Reply

Tasteful? More like another gimmick to sell a game that otherwise probably wouldn't have sell.

0 up, 9 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 10:26:00 AM

Ridiculous and wrong. You know nothing about the game or the people who would buy it.

7 up, 1 down

Wage SLAVES
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 11:08:06 AM

I was considering this purchase long before any of this came about. This isn't a deciding factor at all, besides assuring me they are pushing the envelope and that is always a good thing.

3 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 6:52:34 PM

...not to mention grammar.

1 up, 0 down

Lotusflow3r
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 5:02:15 AM
Reply

...Thinking about it wayy too much.

0 up, 0 down

DGo8
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 5:30:31 AM
Reply

Some people are like acting like your seeing her give him a blow job...the scene we saw wasnt bad...like its nothing...tha amount of times i seen girls in videogames wearing basiclly nothing and people moan coz they see a pair of tits lol...funny stuff...& its not " another gimmick to sell a game" you seen what this game is about its emotional...more like a film...its a story about life and that..and in life you see some tits sometimes lol

Last edited by DGo8 on 9/26/2009 5:31:12 AM

1 up, 1 down

Cole
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 7:07:50 AM
Reply

Why are people so surprised by this? Fahrenheit had sex and nudity as well. QD said from the start that they were making a mature game with adult themes. We've already seen Heavy Rain footage covering various themes that are never explored in video games. Like drug use and addiction. Depression and suicide. Nudity and sexual abuse. It's serious stuff. Definately aimed at a mature audience.

2 up, 0 down

JackC8
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 8:49:58 AM
Reply

The average gamer is something like 35 years old. It's about time they started including adult stuff in games.

2 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 9:16:38 AM
Reply

I'm just saying this: if they butcher this game for American audiences like they did with Indigo Prophecy, this Canadian is just going to import the game from the U.K. However, I don't think there will be any issues, though. It's part of the story and the game is clearly for a mature audience...and the PS3 audience is such.

3 up, 0 down

Robochic
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 9:42:39 AM
Reply

THe more and more I see video of this game the more and more I want it, well another one to add to my every growing lists of games :)

3 up, 0 down

Gogaku
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 12:19:21 PM
Reply

This is not the first time Quantic Dream shows nudity in a game. There was a full blown sex scene in fahrenheit/indigo prophecy, that showed a woman completely nude. At least in the Euro version :P

1 up, 0 down

FlyingKickPunch
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 6:38:03 PM
Reply

seriously ben? no controversy? remember how the media villainized mass effect as being a sex simulator, never mentioning the 20+ hours (guessing, back when i had an xbox it exploded like 2 hours into this game, lol) of shooter in there? yeah, wait til foxnews gets ahold of this one...

1 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 6:59:11 PM

Uh...maybe you didn't understand the point of the article.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 8:07:45 PM
Reply

Ben,

Even if the game development community embraced tastefulness with regard to nudity and sex in games 100% today, it would take years for the gaming media's mentality, and the mentality of a large fraction of gamers, to change accordingly.

The sea-change will have occurred when no web site needs to run a story about Heavy Rain 4 and the 2 minute sex scene because it's done tastefully. When no web site feels that this is controversial because the game is for mature audiences and mature audiences are finally mature enough to handle it - that is when the industry as a whole will have embraced 'tasteful'.

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 9:22:18 PM

I'm aware of that part. And this is why I'm hoping this Heavy Rain scene is the start of something...

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 12:09:47 AM

Indeed. I am hopeful that grown up games for grown ups will finally stretch the definition of video games from kids toy, to legitimate grown up past-time. Heavy rain is one of the better examples of games that exist on that plane.

0 up, 0 down

Kai200X
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 2:44:59 AM
Reply

Well, it was obvious to me at the beginning this particular part she will get naked since you can clearly see she's stripping for the man, and you know the reason is because she's kinda going undercover to find out the truth so she has to take some extreme measure. Although I like naked chicks in God of War series, but I don't think those parts are necessary. Very nice but not necessary.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 5:14:50 PM
Reply

Why does it remind me of True Lies?

1 up, 0 down

randomname
Monday, September 28, 2009 @ 2:54:14 AM
Reply

I like it

0 up, 0 down

OriginalSin
Monday, September 28, 2009 @ 6:22:40 AM
Reply

I've been waiting for this game since the first time I heard about it. So with nudity or no nudity it doesn't change the fact that I am really interested in playing through this game.

I know it will be an unique experience either way. But at the same time I think it will be the perfect game or setting to allow "tasteful" nudity and work it into the actually story (that is from the start written for Mature people that hopefully at some point had the opportunity to see a real naked woman in front of them.... and strippers don't count)...

Anyway my point is that I for one have been looking for something that focuses more on story telling like that of a great novel, and that plays out better that any movie you can imagine, a game that completely pulls you in beyond anything before and at the same time sticking to a more "reality" driven environment. And from all the information I have seen on Heavy rain I think it will deliver on all of that...Nudity or not...

0 up, 0 down

LyleCapua
Monday, September 28, 2009 @ 8:19:50 PM
Reply

Why was my comment deleted? All I asked was if you seriously thought forcing a woman to do a topless dance at gunpoint was considered "tasteful"?

0 up, 0 down

Lordnicon
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 @ 3:54:33 PM
Reply

I still dont quite get the big issue people are having with nudity in games. We have seen just about everything in films. The only thing that could potentially set games ahead of films in the risque department is the interactive aspect of games.

If the sex and nudity is for the most part non interactive and perhaps not so copious, then I see no difference between that and films. Its a shame that Ao rated games for the most part just wont exist even though a large portion of gamers have aged passed puberty 2 and 3 fold.

0 up, 0 down

Please login or register to leave a comment.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories cheats	PSP
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas cheats	PS2
Medal of Honor: Airborne cheats	PS3
Parasite Eve 2 cheats	PS1
Iron Man cheats	PS3
Splinter Cell: Double Agent cheats	PS3
Wanted: Weapons of Fate cheats	PS3
Destruction Derby Arenas cheats	PS2
Final Fight: Streetwise cheats	PS2
MLB 08: The Show cheats	PS3

Do you plan to buy a PlayStation Vita this year?
	Yes, I'll definitely get one in 2013.
	No, but I'll get one eventually.
	No, I have no intention of buying the Vita.
	No, I've already got one.

Playstation 3

Playstation 4

PSP

Playstation Vita

Playstation 2

Playstation

Other

PSX Extreme

Site Stats

Heavy Rain Nudity: Finally Embracing "Tasteful"

Comments (53 posts)

Leave a Comment

Latest Updates

Popular Cheats

Recent Reviews

Recent Previews

Popular Sections

Extras

Sponsor

Our Poll

Resident Evil: Revelations review	PS3
Metro: Last Light review	PS3
Zombie Tycoon II: Brainhov's Revenge review	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon review	PS3
Star Trek: The Video Game review	PS3
Injustice: Gods Among Us review	PS3
Dead Island: Riptide review	PS3
Defiance review	PS3
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 review	PS3
Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel review	PS3

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified preview	PS3
Time and Eternity preview	PS3
Ride to Hell: Retribution preview	PS3
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger preview	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon preview	PS3
Spartacus Legends preview	PS3
Payday 2 preview	PS3
DUST 514 preview	PS3
Dynasty Warriors 8 preview	PS3
Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness preview	PS3