In an update to its ESRB ratings page Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red’s much anticipated upcoming title will feature a North American rating of M for Mature. Previously titled as “rating pending” the update emphasized the title’s marketability to an adult audience. Accompanying the ESRB’s rating was a brief description of the graphic content to be expected throughout the game. The description notably emphasized Cyberpunk 2077 has high amounts of gore, and sex but highlighted its equally unexpected and unique sexuality-related customization options.
From the ESRB’s description, it sounds like the game is, as expected, going to feature scenes of extreme violence. However, the range of customization options, particularly those about that of creating “combinations” and “sizes” of genitalia are quite surprising. While the cosmetic choices of the character creator will most probably only serve purposes of an immersive value, it is worth noting that CDPR seems to have given players the ability to create characters in line with expressions of gender freedom. This might suggest the Cyberpunk 2077 universe will be featuring more futuristic and radical depictions of relationships and sexuality, where the themes of gender might be more fluid.
How this game depicts gender and sex will remain to be seen, but its refreshing to see that the game will continue its future scape theme well into these often controversial concepts. In its representation of a depraved futuristic human society featuring gang wars and cybercrime, it will be interesting to see how potential new notions of gender and sex will relate. Especially with previous CDPR titles, such as The Witcher, embracing themes of sex, intimacy, and relationships.
