As I just posted over here, it's sometimes important to differentiate between 'porn animations that are slightly interactive' and 'games that are.
Tumblr and Twitter are two of the biggest social networks where sexually explicit NSFW content tends to flourish freely if you look around hard enough for it, but nothing really compares to Reddit and its very NSFW subreddit.
The main NSFW subreddit, which is the post popular one and is also commonly referred to as “Reddit Gone Wild,” generates quite a significant amount of traffic for the social network and has become a go-to place for individuals who want to express themselves and discover adult content. But before you decide to visit and/or participate in this subreddit or any of the many other related NSFW subreddits, there are a few things worth knowing first.
“NSFW” is an acronym that is short for “Not Safe For Work.” This is a common internet acronym typically used to describe content that would generally not be appropriate to view at work in the presence of coworkers, your boss or even family members when you’re at home.
NSFW content is often pornographic or sexual content, but it can also be violent, graphic or controversial. People use the acronym by adding it to their email subject lines, links shared on Facebook, tweets on Twitter or any other type of message meant to serve as a warning that you shouldn’t be opening the link to view the content when you’re in the presence of others.
The NSFW warning is what people use to inform other people of the type of content they're about to view so they can avoid getting in trouble at work or being embarrassed in front of their families when their computer or device screen is in full view. On Reddit, however, just visiting the /r/nsfw subreddit might fill your computer or mobile device screen with thumbnails of adult content (depending on the list view you choose).
The content that is posted on the NSFW section of Reddit is not at all appropriate for underage individuals. Before you can view the content of this section, Reddit will ask if you are at least 18 years old. You can click “yes” to enter the site or “no” to leave.
Since it's illegal in the United States and many other countries to knowingly distribute sexual content to minors, sites displaying any type of NSFW content will almost always ask your age before allowing you to enter. Reddit is no exception to the rule.
The NSFW trend is pretty easy to understand once you see it used in out in the wild. On the other end of the spectrum, if a link or post is labeled to be “SFW,” then it’s “Safe For Work' and is sometimes useful to include if you're sending content to someone who might be skeptical about it. A 'SFW' label informs them that they don’t have to take caution before opening it.
Other variations of the phrase include:
Believe it or not, Drew Curtis (founder of Fark.com) tried to trademark the phrase “NSFW” in 2007 but was denied registration.
RedditList.com is a popular Reddit resource that lists all the category lists from most popular to least popular. When you click on any category, you’re taken to Reddit.com and the corresponding category.
The 'AskReddit' or “Funny” subreddit often holds the first or second spot, with the NSFW subreddit usually found somewhere in the top 100. As of this writing, the main NSFW subreddit has 1.1 million subscribers. You can also switch to the NSFW tab at the top to see all the different NSFW subreddits.
When using Reddit, you’re advised not to post anything that's illegal, involuntarily pornographic, violent, threatening, harassing, misleading as impersonation, or considered to be spam. Posting personal information is also forbidden and solicitation of votes are prohibited.
Here's what Reddit has to say about its NSFW content:
'Content that contains nudity, pornography, or profanity, which a reasonable viewer may not want to be seen accessing in a public or formal setting such as in a workplace should be tagged as NSFW. This tag can be applied to individual pieces of content or to entire communities.'
Using Reddit isn’t difficult at all, and if you choose to post your own NSFW content in any of the corresponding NSFW subreddits, that's totally up to you — just know that your content will be online forever after you've put it out there.
If you choose to post NSFW content, make sure you do it in the appropriate NSFW subreddit. NSFW content will be removed from other subreddits and your account could even be temporarily or permanently suspended.
Note: This slideshow contains content relating to violence, pornography, and sexual material. It has references to adult and other possibly offensive subjects. If you are hesitant to read it, you probably shouldn't.
It’s a given you should not be playing games at work, unless that is your job! However, some titles are just completely Not Safe For Work (NSFW) in every way. It’s easier to explain playing Mario Bros. to your boss than say, GTA. With that being said, these titles are among the most NSFW games you can find. Just don’t get caught playing!
NSFW rating: 10 ruined memories of Bioshock Infinite out of 10.
It wasn’t until I read Amanda’s piece here on GameSkinny that I even knew this game even existed. It seems some devoted fans take it upon themselves to make pornographic parodies of the most recent and popular AAA releases. The reason this one stands out is the subject matter and the creator’s response.
The game was made by using dialogue clips of Elizabeth from the game. Needless to say, “I hope they don’t find us here” takes on a different meaning when you are engaged in sexual activity instead of hiding from homicidal townspeople. The familial relation between Booker and Elizabeth adds an uncomfortable layer of incest to this game as well. A year after the release of Bioshock Infinite, creator Ken Levine spoke out imploring people to stop their pornographic creations.
'Seriously, whoever is doing the Elizabeth porn on deviantart, please stop it. You're killing me. It's like coming across a picture of your daughter. I die a little inside with every page view.'
Needless to say, it didn’t work and probably added incentive to complete other projects of this sort. Rule 34 knows no boundaries, apparently.
NSFW Rating: 10 explicit images sent to your phone out of 10.
I don’t really follow the visual novel scene or understand the appeal of the erotic visual novel. The only reason I know about HuniePop is because the developer raised a considerable amount of money past their Kickstarter goal, and the glut of videos on YouTube. This game is bloody everywhere.
However, unlike other dating games of the genre, HuniePop contains a depth of gameplay that rides tandem to the sexual roleplaying. The game has been praised for its mechanics that weave in an element of three-of-a-kind puzzles. If interested, search the game on YouTube, although the Steam reviews are more entertaining than any playthrough. Just beware what you will encounter plenty of explicit content.
NSFW Rating: 10 bottles of brain bleach out of 10.
Monster Girl Quest is another game I had not heard about until researching this piece. It is a mixture of Pokemon and erotic visual novels. What makes the game unique is you do battle with various female monsters of all sorts - monsters which represent every fetish imaginable, and then some.
Losing the battles leads to various scenes where your female character is sexually molested and even eaten by the monsters. You read that right. You can see your character lose their clothing while being digested in the belly of a beast. I need some mental bleach after this one.
NSFW Rating: 10 concerned bosses out of 10.
The original Manhunt was no stranger to controversy. Playing as an unwilling participant in a snuff film who murders his way out of his quandary led to quite a fuss when the game released due to its violent content and taboo subject matter. So what could be worse than a naked, obese man wearing a pig’s face and wielding a chainsaw chasing you down trying to murder your face? Apparently the sequel.
With more violent executions, a bleaker tone, and the attention of politicians everywhere, Manhunt 2 was released as an AO title. Since the AO rating is a kiss of death, as most stores refuse to sell these titles, Rockstar edited the game to achieve a final M rating.
However, the uncut version can still be purchased for PC.
NSFW Rating: 10 nude paintings out of 10.
As previously mentioned, the AO rating is a kiss of death for sales since most stores refuse to stock titles with this rating. No developer in their right mind would willingly pursue this rating right? This is just what No Reply did though for their debut title Seduce Me.
The game garnered some attention since the developers behind the game had previously worked at Guerilla Games. Once release though, the game was largely panned for being another peepshow title and not much else.
NSFW Rating: 10 disfigured, monstrous creatures out of 10.
I’ll be honest; I don’t dabble much in the visual novel arena. I have no problems with them in general, they are just not my cup of tea. With that said, Song of Saya is a visual novel I have enjoyed. Yes, it has the explicit sexual images associated with the visual novel/eroge, but it is also more substantial than a naughty display of underage schoolgirls. Although, let's not forget what it is.
SoS follows Fuminori Sakisaka, a young medical student who has a serious, debilitating illness (based on an actual condition) which causes him to perceive the world around him as grotesque mess of gore and people as hideous monsters. The titular Saya is Fuminori’s only respite from his never-ending nightmare. Revolting images and situations arise as Fuminori spirals deeper and deeper into madness.
It’s not for the faint of heart or stomach, although there is a filter to blur some of the more disgusting and sexual scenes. The game is notorious for its content being too much to stomach for some. Besides explicit sexual imagery, content, and language, the game is chockfull of images and situations which would make Edgar Allan Poe grin.
NSFW Rating: 10 strands of hair barely covering boobs of 10.
Few characters in gaming embody sexuality quite like Bayonetta (remember when Playboy did that awful looking spread to promote Bayonetta 2?). While some think she is degrading to females and others argue she is empowering, no one can argue she is not a sexual character. Since her clothing is made from her own hair, which she also uses to fuel her powerful attacks against angels (causing her outfit to recede or disappear), is there any wonder this series is NSFW?
There are also so-called angels in the game who just so happen to be Bayonetta’s foes in the games. Needless to say, the religious slant is a bit touchy for some. This powerfully potent cocktail of sexuality, religious imagery and iconography, along with some over the top violence, makes Bayonetta a title you do not want to show off at work.
NSFW Rating: 10 indecent exposures out of 10.
Is this one really a surprise? Postal 2 to this day remains one of the most controversial titles ever released. Developer Running with Scissors has capitalized on the buzz and discussion to enormous success for them. Hell, an expansion to this just released last month for crying out loud! Twelve years after release and the game shows no signs of leaving the cultural landscape of violent gaming.
Postal 2’s claim to fame comes from the freedom the player has to do nearly anything to anyone. Want to urinate on a NPC? Go for it. Want to taze an innocent bystander for no reason? Sure thing bud. Want to endure racist stereotypes of various demographics? Why not? Want to silence your weapon by inserting the barrel of your weapon into a cat’s rectum and using the feline as a silencer? Ummmmm okay then….
While I think the game tries too hard to be shocking and comes off more tasteless and juvenile, many people have taken offense from the game and still do. If you do decide to play it, just remember not to emulate The Postal Dude’s actions at work. Going postal is good for no one, especially our furry feline friends and innocent bystanders.
NSFW rating: 10 terribly told jokes out of 10.
Since its debut in 1987, the Leisure Suit Larry series has been known for its high amounts of sexual content. The games follow the titular Larry who unsuccessfully tries to bed various women by solving adventure games puzzles because it’s just like real life right? Surprisingly though, the games started out quite tame (for today) with most of the dialogue being innuendos and double entendres with the more explicit content being hidden or censored.
That being said, the series became more explicit and even had graphic sexual content in the newer, abysmal entries.
NSFW rating: 10 angry protestors out of 10.
The game follows a stalker who stalks, harasses, and rapes a mother and her two daughters (one of whom is 10 years old). No joke, that is the premise of the game. Needless to say, the game has been met with outrage and much international debate. Despite being unable to purchase the game outside of Japan, many countries have banned the game anyway. In 2009, three years after release, the sale and production of the game was ceased in Japan itself.
An interesting note is what has happened in the wake of release. The developers were “bewildered” at the response the game garnered, noting it met Japanese laws and was not to be sold elsewhere. However, the developer took the game down from their site along with any related materials and images with it. Some have argued whether rape is more reprehensible than murder, yet we have a plethora of games which simulate violence. It remains a touchy and taboo subject to broach.
What’s your favorite NSFW title? Or maybe I missed a well-known game? Sounds off in the comments below!
Now if you will excuse me, I need to scrub some things from my mind.