List of AO-rated video games

The ESRB's "Adults Only" ratings symbol.

The following is a list of video games that have been given the "Adults Only" (AO) rating by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), a United States-based organization which rates the content of video games to determine its appropriateness for specific age groups. Although it is not legally binding under U.S. law, the ESRB rating system is a de facto standard which is self-enforced by the U.S. video game and retail industries.[1] In Canada, ESRB ratings are enforceable by provincial law by film classification boards in some provinces.[2][3][4]

Games with the AO rating are considered by the board to be unsuitable for those seventeen and younger; AO-rated games can contain higher levels of violent, profane, sexual, or pornographic content than the Mature (M) rating (the next-lowest on the scale) can accommodate. AO is the highest and most restrictive of the ESRB's content ratings, and dramatically impacts the commercial availability of games which carry it; all three major video game console manufacturers (Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony Interactive Entertainment) refuse to allow AO-rated games to be published for their platforms, and most retailers refuse to stock AO-rated games. Due to these self-imposed restrictions on the marketing and distribution of games with the rating, the AO rating has been described as a "kiss of death" by critics.[5][6][7]

Relatively few games carry the AO-rating; the majority of AO-rated games are adult video games which received the rating for containing sexual and/or pornographic content, but the ESRB has also issued the rating for games containing extreme violence.[5] The fighting game Thrill Kill (1998) was given the AO rating for its violent content, but was left unreleased after its developer, Virgin Interactive, was acquired by Electronic Arts, who objected to the game's sexual overtone and violent content. Rockstar Games' Manhunt 2 (2007) was the second game given an AO rating for extremely violent content, but was re-edited to meet the M rating so it could be released on consoles (an uncut, AO-rated version for Windows was released in 2009).[8] Fellow Rockstar game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) was temporarily re-rated to AO from M in response to the release of a mod known as "Hot Coffee", which restored access to an incomplete, but sexually explicit minigame that had been removed in development.[9][10][11][12][13][14] Hatred (2015), a game centering on a character indiscriminately murdering everyone he encounters, was the third game to receive the rating solely for violence.

List

Title Release Date Platform Publisher ESRB content descriptors Notes
All Nude Cyber[15] 1997[16] Mac, Windows MacDaddy Entertainment Strong sexual content —
All Nude Glamour[17] 1997[16] Mac, Windows MacDaddy Entertainment Strong sexual content —
All Nude Nikki[18] 1997[16] Mac, Windows MacDaddy Entertainment Strong sexual content —
Body Language[19] 1998[20] DVD NuTech Digital Strong sexual content —
Critical Point[21] 2002[22] Windows Peach Princess Strong sexual content, violence —
Crystal Fantasy[23] 1995[16] Mac, Windows MacDaddy Entertainment Strong sexual content —
Cyber Photographer[24] 1996[16] Mac, Windows MacDaddy Entertainment Strong sexual content —
eden* PLUS+MOSAIC 2015[25] Windows MangaGamer Nudity, strong language, strong sexual content This game was sent to the ESRB at the request from the Japanese developer in order to get a green-lit for the release in the United States.[26] The all-ages version of this game is also rated.
ef: a fairy tale of the two[27] 2014[28] Windows MangaGamer Blood, nudity, sexual violence, strong language, strong sexual content Unlike 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-lit for the hardcopy release in the United States.[29] The game was already self-rated 18+ for the digital release.
Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Director's Cut[30] 2005 Windows Atari Blood, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs and alcohol, violence In North America, an M-rated edit of the game was released under the title Fahrenheit; Quantic Dream CEO Guillaume de Fondaumière remarked that many players imported the uncut European release instead. A remastered version of the uncut game, released in 2016, was given a Mature rating.[31][32]
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas October 26, 2004[33] 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, which featured characters engaging in sexual intercourse. Its rating was changed back to M following the release of a patched version of the game that excluded the offending content entirely.[9][34]
Hatred June 1, 2015 Windows Destructive Creations Blood and gore, intense violence, strong language The 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.[35][36][37]
JThe Joy of Sex[38] 1993[39] CD-i Philips Media Strong sexual content —
Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude Uncut and Uncensored[40] October 26, 2004[41] Windows Vivendi Games Mature humor, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of alcohol —
Lula 3D[42] 2005[43] Windows CDV Software Entertainment USA Blood, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, violence —
Manhunt 2 (uncut version)[8][44] November 6, 2009[45] Windows Rockstar Games, Take Two Interactive Blood and gore, intense violence, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs Manhunt 2 was originally given an AO rating, but was edited by Rockstar to meet the M rating so it could be released on consoles.[46] In 2009, an uncut version was released for PC.[45] Both cuts were also refused classification in the United Kingdom, but Rockstar successfully appealed for an "18" rating.[13][46][47]
Peak Entertainment Casinos[48] Online, Windows Peak Entertainment Gambling Peak Entertainment, a provider of online gambling services, submitted its product to the ESRB for an AO rating to showcase a commitment against underage gambling.[5]
Playboy: The Mansion: Private Party[49] 2006 Windows Groove Media Nudity, strong sexual content Expansion pack for Playboy: The Mansion
Playboy Screensaver: The Women of Playboy[50] Mac Sony Imagesoft Mature sexual themes —
Riana Rouge[51] 1997 Mac, Windows Black Dragon Realistic blood and gore, strong sexual content —
Seduce Me[52] Mac, Windows No Reply Games Strong sexual content, nudity, strong language, and use of drugs Developed 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.[53][54]
Sexy Games[55] Mobile phone Nicosceles Sexual themes, partial nudity —
Singles[56] Windows Eidos Interactive Nudity, strong sexual content —
Snow Drop[57] Windows Peach Princess Strong sexual content —
Thrill Kill[58] Cancelled PlayStation Virgin Interactive Animated blood and gore, animated violence After Electronic Arts acquired the assets of Virgin Interactive in mid-1998, it quickly cancelled the release of Thrill Kill (which was due to be released in time for the holiday season) due to objections over the game's violence and subject matter.[14]
Tokimeki Check-in![59] 1999 Windows Peach Princess Strong sexual content —
Water Closet: The Forbidden Chamber[60] Windows Peach Princess Strong sexual content —
Wet: The Sexy Empire[61] 1998 Windows CDV Software Entertainment USA Strong sexual content —
X-Change[62] 1997 Windows Peach Princess Strong sexual content —

See also

References

  1. ↑ "House bill wants $5,000 fine for video games without ESRB rating". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  2. ↑ "Video and Computer Game Update" (PDF). Manitoba Film Classification Board. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  3. ↑ "Video and Computer Games". Ontario Film Review Board. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  4. ↑ "California seeks gaming age limits". Vancouver Sun. Postmedia Network. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 "The Big A.O.". IGN. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  6. ↑ "Retail murder: ESRB rates Manhunt 2 'Adults Only'". Joystiq. AOL. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  7. ↑ "Factor 5 CEO blasts the ESRB at GCDC, and he's right". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  8. 1 2 "Manhunt 2 PC gets AO rating". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  9. 1 2 "FTC Hot Coffee ruling scalds, but doesn't burn Take-Two". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 1, 2006.
  10. ↑ "Vivid: Sony said no to PS3 porn streaming". CNET. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  11. ↑ Sinclair, Brendan (20 June 2007). "Sony, Nintendo refuse to allow AO rated games on their consoles". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  12. ↑ "The Manhunt Saga: ESRB assigns AO rating". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  13. 1 2 "Manhunt 2 will see Halloween release date after getting M rating". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  14. 1 2 "EA kills 'Thrill Kill' game before release". ZDNet. CNET Networks. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  15. ↑ "All Nude Cyber". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "Games Published by MacDaddy Entertainment, Inc.". AllGame. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  17. ↑ "All Nude Glamour". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  18. ↑ "All Nude Nikki". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  19. ↑ "Body Language". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  20. ↑ "Erotic Heat Vol. 4: Body Language". AllGame. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  21. ↑ "Critical Point". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  22. ↑ "Erotic Heat Vol. 4: Body Language". AllGame. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  23. ↑ "Crystal Fantasy". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  24. ↑ "Cyber Photographer". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  25. ↑ http://www.mangagamer.com/detail.php?goods_type=1&product_code=125
  26. ↑ "Why MangaGamer Bothered Submitting An Adult Visual Novel To The ESRB". Siloconera. Curse, Inc. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  27. ↑ "ef - a fairy tale of the two". ESRB. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  28. ↑ http://www.mangagamer.com/detail.php?goods_type=3&product_code=219
  29. ↑ "Why MangaGamer Bothered Submitting An Adult Visual Novel To The ESRB". Siloconera. Curse, Inc. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  30. ↑ "Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Director's Cut: PC CD ROM". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  31. ↑ "Twitch enforces US 'adult only' ban worldwide". Wired.co.uk. Conde Nast. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  32. ↑ "No Need To Import Heavy Rain In America". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  33. ↑ "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas ["AO" Version]". AllGame. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  34. ↑ "San Andreas rated AO, Take-Two suspends production". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  35. ↑ "Hatred given Adults Only rating in US and Canada". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  36. ↑ Campbell, Colin (October 16, 2014). "The worst trailer of the year revels in slaughtering innocents". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on October 16, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  37. ↑ Crossley, Rob. "Gabe Newell Steps in to Reinstate Controversial Shooter on Steam". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  38. ↑ "The Joy Of Sex". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  39. ↑ "The Joy of Sex". AllGame. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  40. ↑ "Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude Uncut and Uncensored". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  41. ↑ "Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude -- Uncut and Uncensored". AllGame. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  42. ↑ "Lula 3D". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  43. ↑ "Lula 3D". AllGame. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  44. ↑ "Manhunt 2". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  45. 1 2 "Manhunt 2". AllGame. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  46. 1 2 "Manhunt 2 denied UK release". CVG. Future. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  47. ↑ Matt Wales (3 October 2008). "Manhunt 2 Dated in UK". IGN. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  48. ↑ "Peak Entertainment Casinos". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  49. ↑ "Playboy the Mansion: Private Party". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  50. ↑ "Playboy Screensaver :The Women Of Playboy". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  51. ↑ "Riana Rouge". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  52. ↑ "Seduce Me". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  53. ↑ "Is Porn Right for Games?". IGN. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  54. ↑ "No Sex Please, We're Gamers". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  55. ↑ "Sexy games". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  56. ↑ "Singles". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  57. ↑ "Snow Drop". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  58. ↑ "Thrill Kill". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  59. ↑ "Tokimeki Checkin!". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  60. ↑ "Water Closet: The Forbidden Chamber". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  61. ↑ "WET - The Sexy Empire". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  62. ↑ "X-Change". ESRB. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
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