Steam is important because they are the largest western market and the bar to all other markets. Even major Japanese developers would rather go to Steam first with their anime content. So what Steam does with their anime content is how other stores should be judged, because they do it the best and sell the most of it.

This is where adult content filters come into play. Everything I mentioned in my thread about this is happening. I have no idea why GOG are not just making the filters. How hard is it?

The reason I am so vocal about this is because I brought up all of these concerns weeks ago in this very forum:

(Posted January 24, 2022)

As you may know, I am a champion of adult content on various platforms. However, there is a right way and wrong way to handle this kind of content.

First and foremost, as many have asked, it is imperative for GOG staff to add a filtering option, especially one that hides this content from the site's homepage.

There are a number of reasons for that. Several of us get up in the morning or whenever and check the website for new release titles. These normally appear on the front page with sale announcements. However, there have been a few games which may have risqué art, designs or titles that may be a problem for those who have a family computer or children present in the room.

As of right now, I haven't seen anything too naughty (Kurokami-sama's breasts appear to be covered on the home screen) but there were a few titles like Being A DIK which did show some rather racy imagery. If one was married and the wife walked by, one might have to do some serious explaining.

Additionally, manga and anime are all the rage with the youth, but not all of them know about the sexual nature of these games. Some look like manga covers or anime posters. Children do get very curious if they happen to glance at the screen and see a cartoon image, especially if it reminds them of anime or manga they are reading. While yes, we can say, "no, this is an adult cartoon game" or similar in order to tell them it is not for kids, it would be much better if one didn't have to look over their shoulder just in going to a regular game retail site. Steam filters this kind of content from their front pages and GOG should do the same.

Another reason for this is due to sheer amount. I love that all of these games are coming here and to be fair, not all of them are even adult - but with such a large amount and people starting to accuse GOG of being a porn store, it might be better to have a simple option for these, nor their announcements to never appear at all. You already filter this content in Germany and other areas, so maybe having that function available for users at their own discretion might be a good idea in general.

In addition, this would also cut down on forum battles, accusations of sexual abuse and other things that we just should not be discussing on this platform to begin with. I firmly believe that accusations of rape, pedophilia and other horrid things would decrease or disappear entirely if people who found this content objectionable had the simple ability to just plain filter it out.

I love this content and I've supported from Jast and MangaGamer on their own sites, knowing that they are adult sites and not to be viewed around the public, especially around youths. Just like with any pornographic website. But GOG is not a pornographic website and should use better discretion with this kind of content. Some people are also (and I don't mean to be rude here) a bit older than we may realize and they have never heard nor seen this content before. So they don't know how to react to it and it may come off highly objectionable to them. We may not realize that people in their fifties, sixties and beyond might be here because they enjoy the old games and love the throwback days.

Adult content is fine, but GOG needs to realize it's audience and set proper filters for this kind of thing. I understand the frustration and yes, they have a point. Enough is enough.

Link to the original thread: https://www.gog.com/forum/general/suggestions_for_gog_staff_regarding_the_handling_of_adult_content Please answer the question that's currently the last post in that thread: how would the examples in your post turn out if you've become used to the filtered homepage, but the other person in the example goes and looks at the site on a different device, where the filters will be off by default?

Before someone assumes I'm just talking about kids, one of the examples is used is a spouse. I'd also consider the example of a friend that you've given a word-of-mouth recommendation to.

the point they made about older people not knowing how to handle the imagery is sound.
I'm in my mid-40's now, but even when visual novels first started showing up on Steam, I started hitting the "ignore" button.
Similar with RPG-Maker games (not because of porn per se, but low quality content that all looked the same between games).
I'm over it now, though. I don't block anything unless it's found to contain malware, or it's some AAA "buy our in-game currency" crap (Assassin's Creed). I don't want to limit my choices, especially since we are only dealing with tags which are flawed.

I was never anti-tata's or anti-hoo'hoo or anti-penis even, I just associated porn with low quality games (anyone who grew up with video games in the early 80's will know what I'm talking about...)

I bet the shock is even worse for those who are more conservative than I.

I guess the same way Steam does it. I dunno, that's more of a GOG question because I'm not sure how they'd handle it. If they'll even do it. I suggested they should - but that is going to be up to them. My guess is to show your spouse the version of the site you have and communicate in your relationship properly. When she accuses you, then you show her your screen. If she's a woman worth keeping, then she'll understand. If not, then you have some serious issues with jealousy in your relationship that is a whole other topic. If because a woman sees content on a site you go to and assumes you are cheating because of it or are some kind of pervert, then you need to evaluate that relationship and maybe look at the kinds of things she accesses. You may be surprised at what you find. Often the pot ends up calling the kettle black.

I did nothing of the sort. I never stated my opinion as a fact, it is obviously my opinion. It is also not relevant to this discussion. I don't like the thing. I'm of the opinion it should not exist. People who don't like my opinion can pound sand, I'm not interested. I am not taking a stance against it however. I am not actively protesting, boycotting, or financially supporting anyone who wishes to abolish such. I find it distasteful, and would not befriend anyone who partakes of such. To me, that fact alone is beyond redemption.

However, up to that point, my only question was about your obsession with Steam. I couldn't care less about how Steam does things; if I wanted a Steam-like experience I would go to Steam. You answered that question, and I thank you.
どもうありがとございます。

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Sure it is. That's called customer feedback.

Actually, in Japan term Hentai means pervert/perverted. So, in that sense, it's closer to what TheGrimLord described.

As for the topic itself, I do agree that disclaimers like "violent sex" or "non-consensual sex" are indeed needed, along with "straight", "gay" or "lesbian". After all, sex is a very, for the lack of a better word, intimate, very personal thing. Different people have different tastes and depictions of sex one enjoys, another can be sick of.

Filter is a must too. And not just for sex-related tags.

They'd have to be used in all games then, more or less. Well, at least we'll get to know what Doomguy prefers sexually now. Is Bloodrayne straight or would she be a lesbian? If so, then is it an LGBTQ game? So do you recommend sex tags in only adult related content or all of it?

I think that was already disclosed in Doom Eternal. Killing demons is the thing and only thing that turns Doomguy on.
I've only played the first game. I don't remember any romance there. And if you consider her sucking blood to be sexually related content - she does that to most enemies, regardless if they are male, female, or any kind of monster.
Sex tags for non-adult content?

Yeah, because then we get into LGBT games with no sexual or adult content, which do exist here already. We'd have to be figuring out the sexual nature of every game protagonist. I get what you're saying, but maybe if you do sexual content tags, it should be the explicitly adult games or we'll run into a mess and a headache.

Assuming you still have your testicles, no explaining would be necessary nor done.

Agreed 100%.

Actually, we don't - that's the point. Despite what certain activists scream, the default sexuality of any character is - "undefined". Only if there is a romantic plotline or some explicit mentioning - only then does the player see the character's sexual tastes.

However, I do agree that simple mention (much less, a hint) without any explicit content (like is done in Indivisible or Phoenix Point, for example) is not nearly as offputting as actual sex scenes, so content warnings aren't that necessary.