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The defining feature of early erotic video games and the "first smut boom"? Sexual assault, depressingly
PAX West 2025's Decades of Digital Love panel highlighted a worrying trend in early erotic video games
Considering how important romance and relationship gaming have become over the past decade or so — just try and imagine a version of Baldur’s Gate 3 that doesn’t focus so heavily on romance — it’s unsurprising that relationship gaming has a long history that stretches back almost half a century at this point. Slightly more surprising (and disturbing)? How many of those early games don’t really have any concept of ‘consent.’
During the Decades of Digital Love panel at PAX West 2025, moderators Jennasis and Virvada — who host the weekly Two Girls One Ship podcast — explored the long, hard and, honestly at times concerning history of romance, sex, and relationship dynamics in video games since the '80s… starting with what they playfully, if accurately, described as the “first smut boom” for the industry back when industry regulation was just a
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About PAX West 2025
PAX West is a celebration of gaming and gaming culture featuring thought-provoking panels, a massive expo hall filled with the best publishers and studios, new game demos, musical performances, tournaments, and a community experience unlike any other.
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Seattle
United States
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