In a digital age, traditional pornography simply isn’t fit for purpose. We take a look at the rising popularity of online sex-driven adult video games and what it could mean for the porn industry…
Over recent years, sex-driven online games have rocketed in popularity. This industry has amassed over 50 million users across some of its most popular sites, with players flocking to engage with interactive, X-rated titles. However, the ever-soaring popularity of adult games is posing a risk to one age-old alternative; traditional porn. According to many experts, the rise of its technological competitors has come at a detriment to the porn industry. This of course begs one important question: what does the future of the adult industry really look like and why is traditional porn suffering?
With the development of high-quality animations, intriguing characters and engaging, realistic storylines which highlight the importance of consent, many adult industry fans are making the switch from traditional porn to the world of adult gaming. The reason for this warrants little explanation – the interactivity of such games allows for a high level of control and input, allowing users to bring their wildest fantasies to life, feel connected as they build connections with characters, and ultimately personalise their experiences. This is unique and bespoke, whilst traditional porn is of course merely observational. Viewers can only watch the performers, not proactively shape the outcome of any given storyline.
The link between gaming and pornography has always been present to some degree. For example, video game characters have been popular searches on leading porn sites over recent years – after the release of Resident Evil 2, Pornhub saw a 223% increase in searches for this title across its platform. However, this overlap has become more commonplace as online gaming sites such as Nutaku and Patreon have created platforms from which adult content can be easily shared, whilst others have reversed their bans on adult content entirely (namely Steam). The growth of adult games is largely attributable to technological advancements, which have enhanced their quality and creativity, plus adult content becoming more mainstream. As the industry’s global taboo has begun to diminish, adult games have become more easily accessible and, in turn, many users’ preferred option.
Amidst the rising popularity of online adult games, the porn industry itself has faced a rapid decline. Offering insight into this, Steven Crimson, Founder of leading adult game College Kings 2, says, “Despite traditional porn fulfilling the needs of its viewers for decades this, in many instances, is no longer the case. For example, in 2022 Pornhub purged its video library, removing around nine million videos – in doing so, users’ choices became much more limited.” He adds, “This gave adult game creators an advantage; we could give users autonomy, allowing them to shape their experiences in accordance with their own preferences and desires. For those with a niche kink, watching traditional porn can quickly become repetitive and unsatisfying. Now, they can bring their desires to life through decision-based storylines, whereby your choices impact your character, story progression, relationships, sexual encounters and more. We curate tailored satisfaction, delivering a much more fulfilling experience.”
So, what does this mean for the future of the adult industry? In a nutshell, it’s going digital. This doesn’t only encompass adult games like College Kings 2, it’s been announced that sex will be introduced to the Metaverse – a virtual reality network of 3D worlds created by Mark Zuckerberg. Meanwhile, virtual reality adult gaming is skyrocketing in demand and AI sex robots are hitting the market. Overall, we are seeing further development and investment in an already competitive area. Furthermore, adult creators are reclaiming ownership of their professions and content; instead of working for pornography companies, they are creating and exclusively selling their own content via platforms like AdultWork and OnlyFans.
We have seen the traditional porn industry become a tarnished notion; it’s now largely seen as outdated, dissatisfying performers and viewers alike. Why work for a porn company when you can create and distribute your own content? Why watch the same adult films when you can personally create your own story? In a digital age, traditional porn simply isn’t fit for purpose.
“Our world is steering towards all-things digital and, in time, traditional porn will struggle to find a place among consumers,” Crimson says. “After all, adult games do not limit users to the role of the onlooker – there are no limits and experiences needn’t be repetitive. Meanwhile, adult performers can now become self-employed entrepreneurs. Seemingly, our shift away from traditional porn isn’t only inspired by our interest in tech, but our desire for creativity and autonomy.”
By MAXIM Australia staff
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