Grand Theft Auto 6 has kicked off a debate over nudity after South Korean reviewers raised concerns about the game's repeated displays of male genitalia. The discussion took an unexpected turn when one committee member questioned whether gamers would consider the exposure sexually suggestive, pointing out that society tends to be more accepting of male nudity.
The controversy nearly resulted in the highly anticipated game being refused a rating in South Korea. However, after three review sessions, the country's Game Content Rating Board (GCRB) eventually approved it for adults.
GTA 6 Reviewers Question Frequent Male Nudity
According to Inven Global, which obtained the minutes from the review meetings, the main concern was the frequent appearance of male genitalia in background scenes, even when no sexual activity was taking place. The first meeting, held on 10 September, ended in a 3-3 tie between members who supported an Adults Only rating and those who wanted to refuse classification altogether.
One reviewer argued that genital exposure had never appeared so frequently without context in a game previously reviewed by the board. Another questioned whether the amount of nudity exceeded what could be considered acceptable under the country's rating standards.
However, members supporting approval argued that the scenes should be judged based on their context. They pointed out that some scenes featured extensive nudity without being sexual, while actual sexual encounters involved less exposure.
Reviewer Raises Questions About Male and Female Nudity
One committee member brought up how gamers might perceive the repeated displays, questioning whether male genital exposure was enough to create sexual interest. The reviewer also noted that society tends to be more lenient towards male exposure, suggesting that this should be considered when evaluating the game's content.
The discussion also covered the intimate scenes involving the game's protagonists, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. The two characters' relationship includes sexual encounters, but these appear in scripted cutscenes rather than interactive gameplay.
Reviewers found that these scenes showed exposure up to the characters' breasts but did not display their genitals. This was different from the background scenes that had initially raised concerns among committee members.
The board also examined leaked footage showing characters completely stripped of clothing, including clips in which camera manipulation allegedly allowed players to view genitalia. However, reviewers could not find these problematic scenes in the playable version provided for examination.
GTA 6 Secures Adults Only Rating After Three Reviews
The board postponed its decision twice, partly because members needed more time to examine the game's extensive open world. The playable version was only provided on 28 September, leaving reviewers with a limited period to investigate the disputed scenes.
During the final meeting on 16 October, eight members voted in favour of an Adults Only rating, while one continued to support refusing classification. The decision also considered the game's other mature content, including violence, crime, drug use and strong language. Reviewers noted that the sexual content was not the game's main focus, as GTA 6 is primarily an action-adventure title rather than a game centred on sexual activity.
The board also considered the fact that 10 international rating organisations had already assigned the game adult classifications at the time of its final review. As of 13 November, this number has risen to 18. With the decision, GTA 6 avoided a potential release block in South Korea and secured approval for adult players.
