Censorship at E3
by Jennie Lees 
{ Jan 23rd 2006 at 11:00AM }
Say goodbye to booth babes; this
year's E3 is putting restrictions in place to clean up the show floor a little. The exhibitor's handbook apparently
includes the following rule:Material, including live models, conduct that is sexually explicit and/or sexually provocative, including but not limited to nudity, partial nudity and bathing suit bottoms, are prohibited on the Show floor, all common areas, and at any access points to the Show. ESA, in its sole discretion, will determine whether material is acceptable.
This is an interesting, and worrying, development; as Brenda Brathwaite points out, the censorship means that showing adult games or games with partial nudity won't be allowed. Will The Sims 2 be turned away because of the shower scenes? Will World of Warcraft be denied access because you can dance in your undies?
It's unlikely, but it looks like a line will have to be drawn somewhere. Also, while we applaud the removal of scantily-clad models from the show floor, we wonder which other techniques companies will stoop to to grab the attention of passers-by. Last year's Anti Booth Babes attracted a lot of publicity, but exhibitors will have to find new tricks this year.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Here we go @ Feb 25th 2006 4:37PM
I think they are pushing it a bit too much... the point is to have fun, right?
S. Wolf @ Mar 9th 2006 12:18PM
There are two solutions to this silly problem.
1 - move the show to Japan where they do not labour under such antiquated, Puritanical thinking or,
2 - all the fans of the models ... stay home. When E3 takes a financial hit from the people not going, they'll have to wake up, smell the coffee and rescind that ridiculous rule.
Sadly, I suspect gamers are just like most humans: make a lot of noise, but not prepared to act on it in any meaningful manner that might actually accomplish something.
Lewigi @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:06AM
Why ?!?!?!?!
E3 is now over 18's and members of the press only (And obviously the staff at E3)
Matt @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:11AM
Bummer :(
Will @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:14AM
Interesting move on ESA's part, I am assuming its so that the booth babes wont get on the news and make the industry get in even deeper water but in my opinion its pointless all the attendees are 18+ anyway.
Greg O. @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:16AM
I don't respect the idea of booth babes. Sure, I can see certain purposes at certain places, but not at video game trade shows. I suppose I'm in the minority on this.
When the industry can reach a point where there aren't booth babes, but there's a welcoming hug for adult games for adult audiences, then I'll respect it.
SilverDogg @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:20AM
they forgot what e3 is all about. the boothbabes! WRYYYYYY
Arlo @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:20AM
I think this step is necessary because I often see more photos of half naked ladies than I see of anything else. I've only been to Leipziger Games Convention (Germany) but there it was already too much for me. You've got just too many booths which are just full of half naked ladies and what can they present? Nothing! So this step is necessary to keep E3 at a professional level. (Fanboyism: At Nintendo's booth women had moderate clothes on :-P!)
Spence @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:42AM
I don't care.. since they made it press exclusive and now this.. who cares?
It's just going to be boring from now on.
Why not get all the good news from Joystiq/other live feeds.. from the comfort of your own home with a cup of tea?
And you can laugh at all the jackasses sitting around eating jelly and ice cream playing musical chairs for the PS3.
GameFam Dad @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:45AM
Game censorship :(
Booth babe censorship :)
I know that sex sells and all, and I don't mind when there's a connection to the content of the game, but just having random surgically-enhanced nearly naked women trying to snag passersby is pathetic (though it is a little like Nolan Bushnell's attempt to lure programmers to Atari by showing them the infamous hot tub).
Why do we need out-of-work porn stars to bring our attention to the latest & greatest in the gaming industry?
My favorite booth "babe" last year was actually the menacing MP who was on patrol by the Call of Duty 2 bunker. Instead of being a distraction, his presence added to the experience.
Is this really what we want to be as an industry?
http://www.cs.northwestern.edu/~hunicke/blog/index.php?p=41156
m3mnoch @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:46AM
hrm. that's too bad. that's always the best part about going to e3. hotties holding up game boxes.
putting the censorship spin on it tho may actually take the bite out of the handbook.
m3mnoch.
jc @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:54AM
hmmm, maybe they could focus on making quality games and promote having fun instead...
CuddleFish @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:57AM
Now all they need to do is get rid of the retail clerks who don't belong there. People like Best Buy, Gamestop and EB employees etc.
mudcrab @ Jan 23rd 2006 12:00PM
Have we all forgotten what videogames are about? Entertainment. And ya know, I am entertained by scantily clad women helping to promote games.
The world is becoming a very difficult place to live thanks to some people trying to ruin it for the rest of us.
Zsavior @ Jan 23rd 2006 12:02PM
I find this funny to hear, but here is a little note, if the booth babes are distracting people from the games then the games are shit, NUFF SAID. THe booth babes are supposed to bring you in to see the games and then the game keeps you captivated, if more pictures are of Booth babes then of the games the games there are not worth seeing, I couldn't imagine a car maker bringing with them the ford pinto and going "Hey My car look at it, why you only take picture of girl?" I don't know cause it is a piss oh crap that is not innovative and brings nothing to the show. Second I dislike the censorship, but it will make it entertaining for companies that got complete CRAP to scrabble and try to make their games seem interesting.
TeddyN @ Jan 23rd 2006 12:06PM
In my opinion:
A good thing, at least ending the booth babes thing. It's kind of ridiculous, and it can't be extending a good message to the mainstream. If games are to be mainstream, our biggest festival can't be a recluse for bigotry and sexism. I doubt it'll hurt the game community much- if you think about it, the developpers showing off their wares probably do it because other developpers are doing it. If they don't have booth babes, they could be at a disadvantage in terms of drawing viewers. If they end this, they'll have to be more creative in attracting people, which should be good. And it'll be less humiliating for women. (imagine if they paraded men in underwear with bulging crotch areas to promote games...! I, at least, wouldn't feel too comfortable about it)
What COULD be bad is censoring games that are shown. That's just irresponsible. It's not the job of the E3 organizers to manipulate the contents of games. If there's going to be less nudity and violence in games, it'll be because there is less consumer demand for it.
Draco @ Jan 23rd 2006 12:06PM
its probably for the best, when I tried to look up E3 info last year I ended up finding a page with 300-400 booth babe photos, dont get me wrong I spent a fair bit of time on the site, but I never ended up getting the info I wanted :( wasted a few hours that ill never get back
White Rose Duelist @ Jan 23rd 2006 12:29PM
Does this mean they'll start showing games at E3?
JS @ Jan 23rd 2006 12:33PM
It's about time they did this. I'm sick to death of the gaming community getting laughed at as a bunch of snot nosed pimply teenage boys. Sure the vast majority of the gaming community may indeed be that but it's only because the developers and marketers appeal to that audience with such infantile crap as booth babes. We'll never have artistic or REAL ADULT games with REAL MATURE themes as long as we create a juvenile atmosphere in the gaming culture. NOTE:HALO AND GTA ARE NOT ANY MORE MATURE THAN ANY RECENT MARIO GAME. And at least mario games don't pander to kids who want to pretend they are grown up. As an adult I can't help but feel like someone is insulting my intelligence any time I pick up a title supposedly aimed at adults. I applaud the people running E3 for finally taking us adult gamers seriously.
Se7enwolf @ Jan 23rd 2006 12:36PM
the guys at joystiq are obviously gay if they like that there wont be any booth babes.
WizarDru @ Jan 23rd 2006 1:28PM
mudcrab said: "The world is becoming a very difficult place to live thanks to some people trying to ruin it for the rest of us."
Would that be women you're referring to? Because most of the women I know would say the exact same thing about your preference for boothbabes. E3 is a TRADESHOW; it's not meant to be marketing for consumers, who have been overwhelming it in recent years. It's also time for the industry to start growing up; CES has boothbabes...and they'd still be allowable under these rules; just not in thong bikinis. Do a google for 'CES booth babes' and you'll that you can still have your shallow eye-candy, if you want it.
And quite frankly, if you want Pr0n, just download or buy it. I mean, it's not like there's some shortage of pictures of naked or near-naked women in the world for guys to consume. In the meantime, let the electronic entertainment industry try and get a little more respect.
JS @ Jan 23rd 2006 1:35PM
I cant speak to Video Game Exhibitions but the same applies for most industries out there. I attend Car Shows and the same thing happens with these scantly clad women promoting the lastest creation from Romania?!?! I didnt even know they made cars! Anyway, its always fun to ask the halfwits (aka: unkowledgeable booth babes) what it is they are promoting and most give you this blank stare and just point to the car...worthless add-ons...like a carbon fiber spoiler on a minivan (huh?).
If you want to use models, fine. If you want to use them to ENHANCE the already natural beauty of what it is you are selling (car, video game, electronic doo-dad, whatever...) then more power to you. If they enhance AND are knowledgeable about the product they are standing next to then you have me sold. BUT if they are just standing there freezin their nips off (as most of these places are pretty cold inside...which doesnt mix well with clothing fit for a toddler)and "looking good" but have a crappy product and are just attentions getters then get lost. Ive even had more "interesting" discussions with product reps as to their use of models and why they dont just build better quality vehicles instead of speding money on marketing and advertising (aka: booth girls). Its always fun to see these sad blank faces knowing that they just got pwned :)
Oh wierd, I just noticed that the guy above me posted with a JS as well...too strange!
fair_n_hite_451 @ Jan 23rd 2006 1:39PM
Actually, I don't see this as anyone "taking adult gamers seriously" at all.
Taking someone seriously, as an adult, means addressing adult situations (and I don't just mean "sexy=adult") with a sense of intelligence.
By removing "booth babes" and "himbos", and then by further sanitizing the games themselves (if that's what they actually mean to do ... it's hard to tell) AND limiting the attendees to people over legal age ... they are straying over into censorship and big-brother-ism ("we'll tell you what's good for you").
It's patronizing for this to be spun as any kind of attempt to appear more adult.
Angry @ Jan 23rd 2006 1:59PM
wow... so they hire some religious nut who cares to spread his/her moral views and as a direct result ruins what has become something that most show goers look forward to... I'm sorry... If you're in a position of power where you're opinion can affect the entertainment experience of others... KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT AND KEEP YOUR TOUGHTS, YOUR FEELINGS, and most of all YOUR BELEIFS TO YOURSELF!!!
AKA... STFU... IF YOU DONT LIKE IT... LEAVE, CHANGE THE CHANNEL, GO SIT IN A CHURCH, GO WATCH PRE-MEDITATED NEWS MEDIA... DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO STAY OUT OF PEOPLES LIVES!
JS @ Jan 23rd 2006 2:09PM
Trust me, when you kids get older you'll realize that those most concerned with sex are those in the throes of puberty. Booth babes are aimed squarely at the teenage market and they do nothing but hurt the overall image of the industry as nothing but an outlet for teenage fantasies. It's about time someone said it's time to push this market as serious wide reaching entertainment as opposed to juvenile comic book fetishes. The "adult machine" the 360 had more money in marketing spent on mtv, nickelodeon and cartoon network than any other media outlets. It's time to drop this "adult" charade and grow up. With the new standards of E3 and the Nintendo Revolution we adult gamers may finally have a serious outlet other than pc gaming.
They will not be censoring game content, merely the juvenile presentation of this content. It's time for this industry to grow up so we can finally see serious games become more than outlets for pubescent sex and violence and god forbid actually give us new experiences or even artistic statements.
Angry @ Jan 23rd 2006 2:11PM
CENSORSHIP Sucks... Joystiq... Don't become what you hate If this post is removed then Joystiq is has become what it doesn't stand for:
wow... so they hire some religious nut who cares to spread his/her moral views and as a direct result ruins what has become something that most show goers look forward to... I'm sorry... If you're in a position of power where you're opinion can affect the entertainment experience of others... KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT AND KEEP YOUR TOUGHTS, YOUR FEELINGS, and most of all YOUR BELEIFS TO YOURSELF!!!
AKA... STFU... IF YOU DONT LIKE IT... LEAVE, CHANGE THE CHANNEL, GO SIT IN A CHURCH, GO WATCH PRE-MEDITATED NEWS MEDIA... DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO STAY OUT OF PEOPLES LIVES!
Elizabeth @ Jan 23rd 2006 2:19PM
18. the guys at joystiq are obviously gay if they like that there wont be any booth babes.
-Se7enwolf
Lol. Did you even read the author's name of this article? Jennie Lees
As to the booth babes. I'm glad to see there will be some restriction. I know I'd feel uncomfortable walking around E3 with women dressed um... undressed like the photo's I've seen. If some guys want to see women look mostly naked, go to the strip club there's no need for them at a Video Game Exhibition.
Phillip @ Jan 23rd 2006 2:37PM
#24 - Why don't you heed your own advice. If you can't allow someone to express there own opinions in a blog, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT AND KEEP YOUR THOUGHTS, YOUR FEELINGS, and most of all YOUR BELEIFS TO YOURSELF!!!
Go surf the internet somewhere else or read other articles on Joystiq... and for goodness sake DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO QUIT THINKING LIKE A HYPOCRITICAL TARD!
;)
Ryuukuro @ Jan 23rd 2006 3:42PM
The only thing more pathetic than booth babes are rules banning booth babes. Yes, it's a pathetic concept but companies ought to choose not to have booth babes on their own--and replace them with attractive-but professional-female-salespeople. Actually, that's probably what will happen.
And since this is really the ESA's show, it's not really censorship. They have the right to determine what does and doesn't go on during their event.
tellute @ Jan 23rd 2006 4:47PM
Sounds like a good idea to me.
If they actually start censoring games then people have a right to make a fuss. But we all know that's not going to happen.
Right now, the only people that need to worried about this are the teenage boys like 'angry'.
Zsavior @ Jan 23rd 2006 4:57PM
Man this is just funny, gamers talking about they want to be seen as mature adults, by booth babes being taken away. Booth babes( and I am going to steal this term cause it fits) and himbos are at many other expos and events were the attendees have no problem being viewed as mature. You know what the gamers problem is? Gamers want to be viewed as mature and "cool" by their games, instead of being a cool person that plays games and not giving a damn what people think except the people in the community. We complain that this game or this system can't be bought because is not mature or cool looking. Just search the Joystiq blogs for the tons of people who won't buy a Ds or who got a PSP just cause it looked cool and wanted to be seen with it, and you will see why we don't get respect.
If anything the removal of booth babes and once again Himbos shows that we haven't reached a level of maturity in the actually business side of the industry (because consumers aren't allowed at E3), to govern our own events. You only remove sexual content from the eyes of a minor or children, you have to ask yourself who are they removing these boothbabes for? Is it for the female gamers HA! Look at the titles that come out on any system at anytime the female gamer doesn't pull much clout. For every single "harvest moon it's a woderful life for women", there are atleast 100 other male dominated characters and roles. THe idea that removing boothbabes is going for the mature gamer makes no sense, it's the equivalent of your Parent walking into your room and turning off your HBO cause "Real Sex" was coming on and you are 30 living in your own apartment. It is the equivalent to Las Vegas going "NO...NO.. this is big boys and girls content adults are speaking! You go play with the shinny games!" If the game developers and publishers had lowered their booth babes I could understand, but this was done by the people who run E3, this is the equivalent to them saying you're a kids industry and you need to be seen that way. That is pretty much why it annoys me personally.
Also as gamers if we want to be taken seriously our games should be just about gaming. Women nor men are going to think your cool by what system you buy, and we have to start thinking of our selves as gaming enthusist not just people that play anything that is on a console or pc. Right now gamers don't have an identity like, cars, motorcycles, movies, art, even book enthusist and people of those communities and subcultures. MOvies defne us as horny weedheads, shows or networks that are dedicated towards us or nothing but rerun MTV rip-offs, that insult the gamers that watch, and our magazines don't represent us. This is why we don't get respect, not cause half naked men and or women appear at our related events.
Last everything about Videogaming culture lends itself to the interest of the Casual Gamer who wants to be good over night. Magazines, Clubs and event expos, that have to do with enthusist of Literary societies or, car clubs, or film cultures, music what ever you will compare the gaming culture to; they respond to enthusist in their communities as experts even if they are not inside the industry. Gaming expos, magazines or cons seem to treat the gamer as a nerd,dork,geek,if they are not in the industry like a writer for example. What I am trying to say is the gaming enthusist which spends money in this culture and sustains it is then ridiculed by the same industry personel that go to report on these events or create them. Rather than reporting to their serious consumer they look down on them, as fanboys and people to be ignored while catoring to the most casual of game players. IF the gaming enthusist doesn't recieve respect from the writers journalist and event organizers why should anybody outsidera of our industry respect us, since we are the main supporters.
TeddyN @ Jan 23rd 2006 5:06PM
In reply to post 22...
I am a libertarian, just as your angry outburst suggests you also are. However, in my opinion your paranoia about the Christian Right, who you seem to think are behind this, is completely misplaced. Actually use your brain (the problem with the liberal movement is that it is blighted by so many clueless Michael Moore followers who are infected by his supersticious and cynical view of the world) and try to realise that those in charge at E3 are unlikely to be Evangelical Christians trying to personally impose their morals on you. First of all, I thought the evangelicals were anti-gaming?
Let me say that this is issue isn't about the imposition of values. It is a purely pragmatic move, which will help ensure that E3 has a better reputation. To put it this way, imagine if the Oscars were supplemented by models wearing bikinis dancing in the background. Sure it would help attract male viewers to the event, but it would almost certainly take away some of the class from the event. IF WE WANT GAMING TO BE A MAINSTREAM FORM OF EXPRESSION, THEN WE NEED THE EVENT WHICH IS SYMBOLIC OF THE COMMUNITY TO BE FREE OF MISOGYNY, SEXISM AND BIGOTRY in the form of women's bodies being used as an object to attract attention.
This ISN'T about what morals you think should be applied to society as a whole. I'm in favour of the legalisation of prostitution, cannabis and general liberalisation, but at E3 I think it would be best for our community if we are more 'refined' as it were. Otherwise we'll just portray ourselves as a bunch of geeks without girlfriends, rather then the more mature bunch that we really are. (and I'm serious about that; the typical age of a gamer is about 30 years old. Things have changed since the 80's!)
Dylan Horkin @ Jan 23rd 2006 6:29PM
Personally, I'm RATHER sick of the whole "Booth Babe" kind of thing. The focus is games - and it just says "Hey, look at this! We're abusing women so you won't notice our games lack content!" I'm sick of companies trying to use women to sell games to men - thus alienating many women. It goes beyond just having models. It's in the games, too. Look at DOA4, or Ninety-Nine Nights. Do people REALLY dress like that? Does it REALLY add to the game world? It gives games a bad name; is it worth it?
They may think that it attracts male gamers, but as one, I'm sick of it, and we need a change. Sure, not everyone agrees with me. But I doubt most people are vehement about it either way - except for those against it.
Ted @ Jan 23rd 2006 8:46PM
Welcome to Jesusland
Population: Most of America.
As stated just about everywhere, E3 is for 18+ and industry folk. How companies choose to present their wares is solely up to them. We are adults, we pay to get in, we can choose to not visit that booth.
E3 needs more overweight gamers!
Bah.
Luminance @ Jan 24th 2006 6:31AM
It's about time! This was what I was hoping for, E3 was extremely uncomfortable last year, as a woman, trying to get information out of the stupid booth babes who would not speak to anyone but their overweight staring and male target audience. @_@ The only "booth babes" I actually approved of were actually a band: Mutaytor, and they were EXTREMELY talented. However, I still haven't a clue what game OR company they were supposed to be advertising. Hopefully this will force the companies to be a bit more creative than just "LOOK BOOBS." :D
WizarDru @ Jan 24th 2006 7:59AM
Where exactly where those 'himbos' at E3? I know some websites looked for them, but came up with nothing. There is no balance, here.
As for booth-babes being at all tradeshows...ummm, no. Car shows? Yes. Home Design shows? No. And when such 'babes' appear, you don't see them echoed on dozens of websites within a week, including major news sites. When you do a google for 'auto show babes' you know who shows up first? Two porn sites and IGN. IGN. Not some personal site, not some car site...a video game site.
The problem isn't bible belt prudery; it's this pandering to hormonal teenage boy fantasies that's the issue. Resident Evil 4 didn't win such high praise because of a booth babe or because you could look up Ashley's skirt. God of War didn't succeed because some purchasing agent couldn't take his eyes off of some clueless model at E3. They succeeded because they were good games. Remember how successful The Guy Game was?
Besides which, this policy won't change that much. It gives E3 right-of-refusal for egregious offenders. Of course, since only trade member and the press are being invited this time out, I don't even know why anyone cares. Most wouldn't see these girls, anyways.
Seth @ Jan 24th 2006 8:35AM
I keep seeing the phrase "partial nudit" strewn about. I'm sorry, but if a woman has a top of some sort on, that covers the nipples, and a bottom that covers what it needs to...where does the partial nudity part come in? What part is *clearly* visible? I could see if they had a normal top, but then some sort of clear plastic for the bottom, I could understand people's concerns. But as it stands now, I've not seen one booth babe that I find morally objectionable in the way they're dressed.
Zeta the Gaming Junkie @ Jan 24th 2006 9:38AM
"We have to start thinking of our selves as gaming enthusist not just people that play anything that is on a console or pc. Right now gamers don't have an identity like, cars, motorcycles, movies, art, even book enthusist and people of those communities and subcultures. Movies define us as horny weedheads, the shows and networks that are dedicated to us are nothing but rerun MTV rip-offs that insult the gamers that watch, and our magazines don't represent us. This is why we don't get respect, not because half naked men and/or women appear at our related events."
#29, I couldnt have said it better myself. This is the exact reason why the world (i.e. those people who dont game) treats us like little kids. Someone says 'hey, lets make E3 clean for the kids' and next thing u kno, people like Angry, who is probably somewhere around my age, is complaining about a lack of 'partial nudit' in a tradeshow he's unlikely to ever attend. Its like some american guy complaining about a Ausitrailian beach where nudity is allowed. What's the point? You dont ever see it except in photos, and I imagine there are enough of them left over from previous E3s that should keep u satisfied. And thnx Mudcrab, you are the reason why I cant get my female friends to play videogames. They all take one look at Tira from Soul Calibur 3 and think 'eew, a whore' and then wont even bother to pick up the controller. Supposedly the industry was "concerned" about attracting a female audience, and if by female audience they meant lesbian, they did a terrific job. And on a final note, I'm ok, atleast to some extent, with 'models' like the COD2 MP from last year, so long as they actually know some useful info about the product there trying to get you to buy. But if therye just clueless girls in thongs and tight teeshirts, then by all means: can 'em.
Bardock @ Jan 25th 2006 9:37AM
umm yeah will dragonball z budokai tenkaichi 2 show up