'Metal Gear Solid 5' earns second-ever 'sexual violence' descriptor from ESRB

It's not uncommon to see a Metal Gear Solid game slapped with an "M" rating by the Entertainment Software Rating Board and given the standard warnings of blood and violence, but an extremely rare descriptor has been listed for the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 5.


Shack News reports on Kotaku's interview with the ESRB when the "sexual violence" descriptor was shown in the "Mature" rating for MGS5.

Kotaku noticed the ratings descriptor and contacted the ESRB, which said that only 2006's Animamundi received the same content warning. The ratings summary includes some more information on why it earned the rating: "The game includes an audio file in which a female character is sexually assaulted by male characters; while there is no visual depiction, sounds of ripped clothing and struggle can be heard."

Obviously, if something was actually shown in the video game, it would be hard to believe it would save itself from the dreaded "Adults Only" rating, which would likely ban the release on consoles.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the latest installment of MGS. Game creator Hideo Kojima ran into sexism controversy last September when pictures of a mute girl in a bikini were released for the game. Hopefully the subject is handled with seriousness; there's no limit to storytelling, but there's a right and a wrong way to do it.

Metal Gear Solid 5 is coming out for the PlayStation 3, 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One with a date to be released later.

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