Naughty America Banned From Gaming Conference
By Steve Javors
Sunday, May 7, 2006
SAN DIEGO — “Naughty America: The Game” has been banned from participating in the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) because of its adult content. E3 runs May 10-12 and is the gaming industry’s largest tradeshow.
“I actually spoke with a representative from Naughty America quite some time ago and after discussing their product offerings it was determined they do not qualify to participate [in E3] as adult content is prohibited,” E3 Expo said in an email.
“We were very disappointed to learn of E3’s stance toward ‘Naughty America: The Game,’” Noah Dudley, President of Eight Legs, Inc., the company overseeing the development of the title said. “It’s the next step in social networking and online matchmaking.”
Eight Legs has implemented Sentry’s age verification service to create a safe gaming environment. All customers must have a credit card in their name to access the game’s features.
“It’s certainly not intended for everyone, but then again neither are a number of the titles featured at the show,” Dudley said, referring to violent content in videogames that are exhibited at the show.
The multiplayer videogame, created by Safe Escape Studios in conjunction with Naughty America, allows players to generate their own personalities that socialize with characters created by other players. In game chat functions and instant messaging capabilities enhance the level of interaction. This allows players to “virtually meet” and decide in what direction they’d like the date to go.
Players will be able to embark into back alleys, sex shops, video arcades and loft apartments. Or they can cruise central park, the beach or a casino, all in search for a sex mate.
The game will allow real-world profiles but with unique fantasy personas, body types, skin tones and clothing options. Players can visit plastic surgeons, hair salons and tattoo parlors to get makeovers. And later, when horny, players can push the sex mode.
“They don’t allow adult content yet other companies can show games with cop killing, extreme gore, war and murder,” Dusty Lillo, Naughty America’s project manager told XBIZ. “We’re part of an online community with a game that happens to have a sex feature. Why can these other companies promote their games but not us?”
According to Lillo a company at last year’s E3 hired scantily clad models to promote a videogame and there was concern from the convention’s organizers that Naughty America might pull the same stunt.
“We wanted to secure media room space, not cause a ruckus,” Lillo said. Naughty America, which started as a web-based production and affiliate program company, is best known for its brands SoCalCoeds.com, NaughtyBookworms.com and MyFriendsHotMom.com.
In late October, Naughty America signed a DVD distribution deal with Pure Play Media. The San Diego company’s content also is available for the Video iPod.
