Performers in the games industry are speaking out about the distress they face when asked to work on explicit content without prior notice. This includes scenes featuring sexual assault, which can leave them feeling shaken and upset.
The use of sex scenes in modern games is common, often involving human actors who are then digitized into game characters. However, the lack of transparency around projects, with scripts often not shared until the last moment, means performers are often blindsided by the intimate nature of the scenes they are asked to act out.
Jessica Jefferies, a professional casting director, shared her experience of being asked to film a graphic rape scene without warning. She refused to participate in the scene, highlighting the importance of performers being informed in advance so they can make informed decisions about their involvement.
Equity, a performing arts union, is calling for action from the industry to improve working conditions for performers in games, especially when it comes to intimate or explicit scenes. Guidelines have been published to ensure that performers have access to scene breakdowns and scripts in advance, can request closed sets, and have access to intimacy coordinators.
Other performers have also shared their experiences of feeling uncomfortable and pressured to perform explicit scenes without adequate information or support. The need for better communication and respect for performers’ boundaries is clear, with calls for the games industry to adopt standards similar to those in film and TV.
Some games, like Baldur’s Gate 3, have taken steps to address these issues by employing intimacy coordinators to ensure the well-being of performers in explicit scenes. However, there is still work to be done to ensure that all performers are treated with respect and given the support they need to do their jobs effectively.
Overall, the conversation around the treatment of performers in the games industry is ongoing, with calls for greater transparency, communication, and support to ensure a safe and respectful working environment for all involved.
