Ratings boards like ESRB and PEGI were designed to offer guidelines on games based on the content within them, but it seems that Sony has developed their own rules regarding sexual content specifically, as the company confirmed to the Wall Street Journal directly.
A spokeswoman told the WSJ that developers can "offer well-balanced content" while not inhibiting "the sound growth and development" of young players with these rules, which are separate from other rating systems.
The same article, however, says that unnamed Sony representatives are also worried about the implications of certain sexual content from Japan emerging on the platform, hence the need to regulate it. "Sony is concerned the company could become a target of legal and social action," a spokesperson said, with the company adding that the rise of the #MeToo movement is also a factor in the creation of these rules.
Just last month we found out that Devil May Cry 5 had a mysterious censor for the PS4 version to cover some bare flesh in one scene, and while that has since been removed, perhaps it's an indication of this new mindset being put into place.
Do you think this is a good move by Sony?
Thanks, Engadget.