RapeLay
RapeLay is a video game that makes one of the most cowardly and inhumane crimes the basis for its premise and gameplay, encouraging and glorifying the abuse of woman. More so than in film and television, rape is a highly taboo subject that is rarely mentioned, let alone seen in video game narrative. RapeLay, however, is a Japanese video game in which the entire plot is centered around the sexual abuse young woman. The objective of RapeLay is to successfully rape three young women, one of whom is possibly underage, and turn them into sex slaves. There’s no repercussion for the game’s protagonist for committing said crimes.
Understandably, RapeLay has sparked huge controversy in Western countries such as Australia and Britain, where politicians have cited the game as reason for more strict censorship and regulation, particularly after it was discovered to be available for purchase via Amazon, despite being banned outside of Japan. The game’s developers protest that rape is a less serious crime than murder, the subject of numerous video games. While that may be true in terms of sentencing, rape is arguably an altogether more sadistic and calculated crime, and building a case to suggest glorifying the mistreatment of woman is a valid basis for a video game isn’t likely to win many votes.