How Video Game Sex Scenes are Brought to Life

Video games have come a long way since their early days, when the idea of sex scenes was a taboo subject, often relegated to crude, low-res animations or comical situations.

The has never been a shortage of sexualisation, specifically of women.

But in more recent years, there has been a push to explore sex and romance as part of a game’s narrative.

Titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate 3 have pushed boundaries, offering interactive experiences where players can form intimate connections with characters.

Mass Effect and The Witcher can also be credited for the evolution of sex as a narrative element.

But while these advances in gaming are hailed for their depth, creating such scenes is anything but straightforward.

Behind every intimate moment is a complex process involving motion capture, voice acting, and careful coordination to ensure that the portrayal of intimacy feels genuine and respectful.

However, this area of game production has its own set of challenges, and for some performers, it can be a deeply uncomfortable experience.

More Than Just Acting

The process of creating sex scenes in games like Cyberpunk 2077 starts long before players ever see them on screen.

It begins in sterile, brightly lit studios, where actors wear skin-tight bodysuits covered in velcro markers to capture their movements.

These actors work tirelessly to bring a level of realism to the characters, all while dealing with the often awkward and uncomfortable setup.

As CD Projekt Red’s creative director, Igor Sarzynski, explained:

“When there’s too much contact, the markers on mo-cap suits start to fall off and break… It’s complex and sometimes a little bit awkward.”

This isn’t just an issue for actors; it’s a challenge for the production team, too.

The goal is to create something authentic, yet the technical nature of motion capture can strip away any sense of intimacy.

Despite these difficulties, the need for authenticity is critical.

According to Sarzynski: “Sex scenes in Cyberpunk 2077 had to add something to the game. It’s like when humans are the most raw and open in a way.”

These scenes aren’t simply there for shock value; they are integral to understanding the characters. The intimate moments reflect a deeper connection between characters, allowing players to explore emotional vulnerability.

However, this is easier said than done.

Sarzynski continued: “It’s not some rough right when someone punches someone and you don’t see what happens because it’s happening so fast.

“You really need to be very precise with it.”

This precision is key to making the scene feel genuine and ensuring that the body language and emotions of the characters align with the game’s broader narrative.

The Role of Sound

While motion capture and acting are crucial to creating believable sex scenes in games, there’s another layer to the process that is often overlooked: sound design.

From skin-on-skin contact to breathing and subtle moans, these sounds are critical to making intimate moments feel realistic and immersive.

Foley artists play a major role in bringing these scenes to life.

Almut Schwacke, a foley artist in the gaming industry, explained:

“When you see people being intimate in the cinema, you would hear all the skin and touching noises.”

“It plays the exact same role [in video games].”

The sounds are often subtle, but they make all the difference in creating a visceral experience for the player.

Mimi Hung, a voice actor who works primarily in adult visual novels, also contributes to these intimate moments by recording sounds that match the characters’ movements on screen.

She said: “It’s like being a toddler again exploring different sensory toys.”

Hung uses a variety of unconventional tools, like oranges, to create realistic sounds for sex scenes.

Her attention to detail is part of a larger effort to ensure that every aspect of the scene, from the movement to the sound, feels authentic.

The Controversial Side of Video Game Sex Scenes

As video games have evolved, so too has the need to create environments where performers feel safe, especially when filming intimate or explicit scenes.

However, there are still issues when it comes to proper communication and transparency.

In 2024, some performers spoke out about the distress they’ve felt when asked to work on explicit content without prior notice.

Jessica Jefferies, a former motion capture performer, recalled a disturbing experience:

“I turned up and was told what I would be filming would be a graphic rape scene… it was just purely gratuitous in my opinion.”

She was the only woman on set that day, which made the situation even more uncomfortable.

“There’s no nudity involved, but it’s still an act, and there’s an intimacy in that act, and also a violence in this situation.”

Her refusal to participate in the scene led to its cancellation, but it highlighted a much larger issue in the industry: performers often don’t know what they’re signing up for.

Jefferies was consulted by the performing arts union Equity in the development of their guidance when it comes to recording explicit scenes.

One of the requirements was for intimacy coordinators – professionals who ensure that actors are supported and respected during sensitive scenes.

These coordinators are already common in film and television, but their presence in video game studios is still in its infancy.

Asha Jennings-Grant, a movement and intimacy director who worked on Baldur’s Gate 3, shared her perspective on the importance of clear communication:

“It allows time and space for intimacy and intimacy in performance.

“It allows people to discuss it… what are we going to do to strengthen that or really support these kinds of narrative moments?”

This growing focus on intimacy coordination represents an important shift in how the gaming industry approaches sensitive content.

However, not all studios have adopted this practice, and many performers still face the challenge of navigating these situations alone.

Is Sex in Video Games Justified?

The portrayal of sex in video games has always been a topic of debate.

Some argue that these scenes are unnecessary and exploitative, while others contend that they are an essential part of the storytelling process.

For developers like those at CD Projekt Red, the inclusion of sex scenes is about enhancing the narrative.

RJ Rhodes, the developer of the adult visual novel Come Home, said:

“Sex adds a more human element to a story.

“It makes everything more relatable. Sex is a huge part of life, and it feels strange when art ignores that.”

However, as with any artistic medium, the execution matters.

There’s a fine line between creating meaningful, emotionally charged scenes and including gratuitous content for the sake of shock value.

The Cyberpunk 2077 team was deliberate in its approach, ensuring that the sex scenes were not just there for titillation but were a way to deepen the player’s connection to the characters.

Sarzynski explained: “We tried to capture the true essence of each character you’re interacting with.”

But not everyone agrees with this approach.

Critics argue that sex scenes in video games can often feel like an afterthought or a cheap way to appeal to a certain audience.

Cyberpunk 2077 story coordinator Magdalena Zych pointed out that some sex scenes feel like “a reward” for completing a level, adding to the discomfort performers feel when they’re asked to act them out.

In these instances, it’s not just the portrayal of sex that’s problematic but the way it’s often treated as an expendable or gratuitous plot device.

As video games continue to evolve, the depiction of intimacy will likely become more nuanced and sophisticated.

The addition of intimacy coordinators, clearer communication with performers, and a more thoughtful approach to narrative design can help ensure that intimate scenes are handled with care and respect.

However, the industry still has a long way to go before intimacy in gaming is handled in a way that is both authentic and ethical.

The portrayal of sex in video games is an essential part of the medium’s maturation, but it’s important that developers balance the creative potential of these scenes with the responsibility they have to the performers who bring them to life.

After all, intimacy in gaming isn’t just about what’s shown on screen – it’s about creating a safe, respectful environment where all involved can contribute to a narrative that resonates with players on a deeper level.