One day in the not too distant future, we will all get to play The Witcher 3. As expected, it received a rating of M for Mature. However, unlike The Order, the rationale for this rating doesn’t include a penis.
I love the ESRB. Not only do they rate games for us so that we know if it’s suitable for younger humans, they also give us insight into what sorts of experiences we can expect. The ESRB has rated the Witcher 3 and given the following summary for its M for Mature rating.
This is an open-world role-playing game in which players assume the role of Geralt, a monster hunter in search of a missing woman. Players explore a war-ravaged world while completing quests and killing enemy soldiers and fantastical creatures (e.g., wraiths, harpies, rock beasts).
Characters engage in melee-style combat using swords and other bladed weapons, as well as magical attacks (e.g., blasts of fire, stun spells); combat is highlighted by screams of pain and impact sounds. Large blood-splatter effects occur when enemies are slashed, with some attacks resulting in decapitation or dismemberment. Some cutscenes depict slow-motion decapitations and other gore: an autopsy of a torture victim, rooms with several corpses (e.g., hanging from the ceiling, covered in blood on a bed, naked in a tub).
During the course of the game, the central character can engage in sexual activity with prostitutes and female companions. These brief sequences depict females’ breasts and buttocks—sexual moaning sounds can be heard, though the camera cuts away from explicit sexual acts. The game includes a side quest in which Geralt engages in a drinking game; characters are depicted drunk and/or passed out. The words “f**k,” “sh*t,” and “c*nt” can be heard in the dialogue.
Of course we knew that Geralt would be “ploughing” more prostitutes in this game, but it’s interesting to see that there’s nothing showing explicit sex or full frontal nudity. I suppose with sexuality an optional element of the game, they don’t have any story-based reason to flaunt anything explicit. The game still has plenty to make it mature, and I certainly wouldn’t recommend it to even a mature teen. Also, autopsy of a torture victim and a bed covered in blood – what is going to happen in the story to make that happen?
Last Updated: February 24, 2015
Guest
February 24, 2015 at 19:34
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Matthew Holliday
February 24, 2015 at 19:42
started reading the witcher books, because i never finished the previous witcher games, not too far into the first one and the torture autopsy is already ringing bells.
the book sofar feels like its been written with the aim of being a game, which is pretty cool, the whole decision and morality system the guy used feels like something straight out of a bioware game.
bioware have got to be kicking themselves for not picking this game up when they had the chance.
pretty stoked.
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 24, 2015 at 20:30
They really did make a faithful interpretation of the books.
Derrick Opurum
February 26, 2015 at 06:51
I can think of a bunch of reasons why Bioware picking this up would be a bad idea. All of those reasons have a lot to do with their parent company. EA.
Matthew Holliday
February 26, 2015 at 09:24
oh, i never said it would be a good idea, just saying that they should be kicking themselves for not doing it.
although to be fair, DA:I did a pretty good job of not being EAs bitch.
Skyrar
February 24, 2015 at 20:38
witcher 2 didn’t have explicit showing as well according to the esrb rating. While accodring to the rating there won’t be any full frontal nudity I wouldn’t be sure that it’s complete. For example a dev confirmed that we will see Geralt’s butt, but the rating only speaks about female buttocks. Considering many of the sexual encounters will be optional (and maybe hard to find?) and some will be proabably a consequence of a choice (Yennefer ot Triss?) I wouldn’t be surprised if the ESRB just didn’t see all sex scenes. I don’t think they play a game 100% and/or replay it to see different outcomes in games with choices-
Brady miaau
February 24, 2015 at 21:31
There is a choice between Yennefer and Triss? I thought it was just Triss all the way. Hmm. Silly me, then.
🙂
nate
February 25, 2015 at 01:45
Can’t we have both?
Brady miaau
February 25, 2015 at 09:07
Well, having met and dealt with Triss in two games, I find their relationship is very good. And I dig Triss. I was disturbed by some of the flashback scenes in Witcher 1 where Geralt and Triss were not so friendly, in fact Triss was downright not good.
aroth
February 25, 2015 at 07:53
According to the books, Yen is the canonical choice. However there’s very little in the first two games to indicate that, apart from the brief snippets of backstory in the second.
Brady miaau
February 25, 2015 at 09:06
I was sort of stating my preference
Matthew Holliday
February 25, 2015 at 09:28
its all about preference, to follow on with the books comment, geralt gives no fux and sleeps with who he wants.
he’s not some holy knight, hes a witcher.
Brady miaau
February 25, 2015 at 10:36
Indeed, totally. I (me) think triss is a great character
Spy Master Tokashi
February 25, 2015 at 06:44
The first scene of the game had explicit showing 😉 which I do not mind but I am just saying.
If they stick to the way they have done Witcher 2 on the sexual content then I think it is really not that bad.
This game is going to be epic!!
Lordcorvin
February 26, 2015 at 11:16
Plus there’s 16 hours of Motion captured Sex Scene, I’m sure There will be frontal nudity
Spy Master Tokashi
February 25, 2015 at 06:45
Witcher 2 had a really good scene with Triss in the elven holy water pool place and I think it was a really awesome scene. If they stick to that style then I think it is worth it 😉
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2015 at 07:41
But will it be banned in Oz?
Kensei Seraph
February 25, 2015 at 07:45
Yes it will.
Just a prophetic prediction.
Admiral Chief
February 25, 2015 at 07:48
Staff Sergeant Steyn
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2015 at 07:53
XD
Pieter Kruger
February 25, 2015 at 15:12
Dankie tog!