Let's be honest: The mainstream press aren't exactly known for handling sexuality in video games with any amount of couth. But hey, neither are we! And if Winda Benedetti of MSNBC gets her way, we'll all be seeing a lot more loose skin. We're finding it hard to disagree with her when she says, "Adults in movies have sex. So why shouldn't adult characters in video games get it on or, you know, appear in their computer-generated birthday suits?"

Bringing up the serially sensationalized Mass Effect sex scene, Benedetti calls it, "a sexual encounter between two adults that actually furthered the story and was tastefully depicted," while pointing out, "still, it was vilified by some in the media." Though we'd argue that the sex minigame found in the original God of War is clearly the most tasteful depiction of sexuality in a video game yet, Benedetti makes a good point. Couldn't we all stand for a little more context in our video game sexuality? Benedetti surmises that the entire industry could use some maturing to help handle this kind of content going forward -- and we're inclined to agree.

In a 1UP interview, Team Ninja's main man Tomonobu Itagaki talks about everything DOAX2. Itagaki explains why certain decisions were made that affect DOAX2's gameplay, online functionality, exploits, and future updates. Not only does he have no remorse for the game's craptacular online options, but even goes far enough to say that the game's multiplayer "would have been better just to not have it to begin with". Also, a patch is going to be released removing the free money exploit, but don't worry because Team Ninja will be selling all the goods via micro-transactions. It's the old "we're removing this cheat so you can buy it from us" routine. And if you've ever questioned Team Ninja's dedication to their games; when asked about putting up a demo on the XBLM Itagaki stated that "for people who are looking for a demo it's unfortunate, since I've already begun moving on to the next game". Is it us or is Itagaki totally back peddling in this interview, stumbling over his own response, and seems totally clueless to what the fans actually want?

[Thanks, Jonah]

It didn't take long, and DOAX2 videos are already flooding YouTube. It's a veritable bevy of busty digital babes, with videos of the various minigames everywhere. The pole dancing sequences, however, take the cake. While most of the minigames, from butt battles to beach races, can be written off as innocent excursions, the pole dancing can be called nothing other than what it is ... um ... it's pole dancing. Sample a digital vixen shaking her stuff after the break. Be warned, the video is not safe for work (and some of the other ones we've found are very not safe for work).

Earlier this month, we reported that a former Tecmo employee was charging Tomonobu Itagaki (creator of the DOA series) with sexual harassment. After completing its own internal investigations, Tecmo has publicly responded, categorically denying the sexual harassment claims. Furthermore, the company clarifies that the woman was not fired but quit of her own volition. After that, however, things get a little sticky. From what we can gather, something definitely happened. According to Tecmo, the woman (and presumably Itagaki) "mingled personal affairs with their corporate responsibilities," resulting in "unnecessary confusion." In the aftermath, both the woman and Itagaki were demoted and had their salaries reduced. Something tells us "unnecessary confusion" must be pretty serious if it results in a pay cut. In an attempt to counteract the defamation of his name, Itagaki plans to countersue his accuser for damages.

Sexual harassment is no joke, but one has to wonder if this has affected the sales of Dead or Alive Xtreme 2.

[Via Evil Avatar]

The 360 holiday assault continues this week with several long awaited games. Chief among these -- and certainly not for its gameplay merits -- may be Dead or Alive Xtreme 2. We've covered its excessive bounciness before -- the infamous trailer generated many, many comments. Will the game succeed despite its shallow nature and godawful looking hair? Only time will tell.

Other games of note this week include Sonic the Hedgehog and WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007. Also worth mentioning, Bionicle Heroes is made by Traveller's Tales, the folks behind the Lego Star Wars series. Can Bionicle Heroes live up to its cousin's success?

Shipping this week:
- Bionicle Heroes
- Blitz: The League
- Dead or Alive Xtreme 2
- Eragon
- History Channel: Civil War
- Pimp My Ride
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- World Championship Poker: All In
- WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007

So, who's getting what?

Tomonobu Itagaki, the man behind Xbox hits Ninja Gaiden and the Dead or Alive series, has been formally charged with sexual harassment. According to ZAKZAK, the former employee -- she quit on September 10th -- claims that she had a physical relationship with Itagaki since 2003 and is asking for the sum of 10 million yen (US $85,000). Itagaki acknowledges the relationship, but claims that it was consensual. Itagaki has reportedly been demoted at Team Ninja, though it is unclear if this was done as punishment or if it was done to downplay his image in court.

We have to admit the grim humor of the situation. He is the creator of Dead or Alive Xtreme 2, after all. We're fairly certain that it's at least a little funny that the man who basically introduced 3D bouncing breasts to the world is now being charged with sexual harassment. Whatever the outcome, we hope it doesn't interfere with Ninja Gaiden 2. We'd also like to note that this news traveled very fast; Itagaki's Wikipedia page is already updated for crying out loud! For our Japanese savvy readers, feel free to translate the original article.

Man, first there are movies on Marketplace, and now Tomonobu Itagaki is busted for sexual harassment. This is shaping up to be a weird day.

Tim Buckley takes on everyone's favorite gravity defying breasts in his latest comic on Ctrl-Alt-Del. He also takes the time to give a little rant on the game (and links us in the process. Thanks, Tim!). In his own words:

"Seriously, did you see those things? They're out of control. Breasts are supposed to be soft, attractive, harmless. Not constantly spazzing out like someone strapped Gloop and Gleep to some girl's chest. Those things have reached critical mass, and no one is safe. I don't think those tiny little bathing suits can contain that shit."

We love the comic, especially the title, "Secession" -- it'll make sense once you read it. Good stuff, and definitely worth checking out. Do we smell a winner in the next Joystiq Webcomic Wrapup?

Team Ninja's latest Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 trailer (available on Xbox Live Marketplace) has been called "too bouncy." Indeed, if you care to watch, you'll be transported to a fantasy island where unreal beauties frolic and dance, wrestle and massage, read and relax -- and bounce.

Big boobs and bikinis are enlisted to sell all kinds of products, from magazines to music to beer. But can they sell games? Should we consider DOAX2's gross exaggeration of the adage "sex sells" to be pioneering?

We never thought we'd say this, but the new Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 trailer may be too bouncy. Available on Marketplace right now (the old E3 trailer has been re-re-released as well), the trailer is very long and very bouncy. So bouncy that it's disturbing, and, dare we say it, unrealistic. But that's really what it's all about, right? Still, this trailer is naughty. Lei Fang on a stripper pole, a little girl on girl "back rub" action, and more tiny swimsuits than you can shake a stick at. Honestly, we wouldn't be surprised if DOAX2 becomes a media target when it ships this winter. Seriously, it's just south of actual porn. See what all the fuss is about after the break. Oh, and they're all technically wearing clothes, but it's still probably NSFW.

Let's be honest: there is no reason to play Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 other than to gawk at the pixelated softcore porn. The gameplay is Xtremely simplistic to the point of boredom. With that perspective in mind, we can safely say that DOAX2 is easily playable using only one hand (we'll let you make the next logical step about what your idle hand can do).

We first tried our hand (har har) at the main game. With our middle and index finger we moved around our bubbly player, and our thumb moved between A and B buttons. To our knowledge, the shoulder buttons serve no purpose -- that, or they weren't needed to return the serves.

After that we moved on to water sports. The Jet Ski minigame (image after the break) is a simplified Wave Race. You move between yellow and red buoys trying to stay in between in order to earn boosts, which is not hard to do as the buoys are widely spread apart. Again, our fingers used the joystick to turn. This time, A is accelerate and B moves the camera in front of you so you can stare at the player's other assets to make sure no one is tailing you. Because of the buttons' respective placement, we could simply lay our thumb down on both A and B at same time, saving us the effort of having to win the race in order to gaze longingly into the racer's exaggerated cleavage.

Controlling your character takes about as much effort as fast forwarding through dialogue on a Skinemax film, which is only appropriate. DOAX2 fails as a game, but passes admirably as an interactive wet dream.

If there is one completely memorable moment for us in the Microsoft TGS press briefing, it was seeing DOAX2 announced as a "sports" title. That ... is hilarious. Xbox.com has posted two videos of the Microsoft TGS briefing. One is the entire briefing, full of Japanese goodness, and the other is only Peter Moore's remarks. The whole conference clocks in at just under an hour. There are no trailers or anything we typically associate with press briefings so, if you don't speak Japanese, we'd suggest you stick with the Peter More video.

The conference does a good job of emphasizing all things Japanese -- complete with Peter Moore humbling himself to Pac-Man creator, Toru Iwatani. Of course, Blue Dragon gets its fair share -- Sakaguchi-san talks it up for quite a while near the end. Perhaps the most bizarre bit is Microsoft's marketing slogan for Japan: "Do! Do! Do!" Let's hope that didn't come from the same marketing team that did all those "playtests" of the original Xbox control.

We'll go ahead and say that things look better than they have in the past for MS in Japan. As usual, it's the games stupid, and Microsoft showed up with more actual Japanese titles than ever before. Will it help? Who knows, but they're definitely heading in the right direction.

[Via Major Nelson]

360 at the Tokyo Game Show:
Today's Marketplace content, 9/21
DOAX2 video makes us feel naughty
Lost Odyssey intro video
Video of Trusty Bell
See Blue Dragon gameplay (finally)

The TGS video madness continues with this clip of Dead or Alive Xtreme 2. We all know DOAX2 is about watching digital hotties in swimsuits, but this is just south of ridiculous. Just when you thought Itagaki and friends couldn't get any raunchier (remember the E3 video?), they go and make this. Let's just say this: the video is technically safe for work, but don't let anyone catch you watching it. Before checking out the video, we would be remiss if we didn't note a few things. One, it looks like the hair physics have improved since DOA4. Two, the game should hit the States on November 15th (before Japan actually). Our Japanese is rusty, but we're guessing that the date mentioned for Europe was "coming soon" -- can anyone translate?

Click onward if you dare; you have been warned.

The first batch of Marketplace content has (mostly) gone live. For your downloading pleasure, the following is now available.

DOA X2 E3 Trailer (Japan)
Project Sylpheed Trailer (Japan)
Tenchu Senran Trailer
Half-Life 2 - Episode 2 Trailer
TGS Picture Pack
Tenchu Senran Demo (Japan)

There are also map packs available for BFMEII, though one of them -- Aragorn's Journey -- is supposed to be free, it's not working correctly right now. Don't download it or you will be charged. The other pack -- Northern Badlands -- is not supposed to be free so, you can grab it for 350 MS Points if you want. Also, as of this writing, the Half-Life 2 - Episode 2 trailer doesn't seem to be up.

We're not really sure if this counts as TGS content, but several XBLA games have been updated to take advantage of the Vision camera.

360 at the Tokyo Game Show:
HD-DVD for $170, $250 Core w/ Blue Dragon
1080p for 360!

No, that X on Kasumi's stomach doesn't mark buried treasure -- and if it did, it certainly wouldn't be on her stomach. That X means only one thing, Kasumi has committed a fashion faux pas and allowed herself to get a tan line. Great. All anyone wanted was to relax with some nice, scantily-clad volleyball and, ahem, hip wrestling, and now we have to micro manage tans? Sheesh.

Look on the bright side, if you get creative enough, maybe you can line the girls up and make it spell something.

[Via Kotaku. Thanks Lorul2]