The International Game Developer's Association has just announced a new special interest group, the Sex in Games SIG, to address the unique issues affecting game developers as the medium of interactive entertainment matures to include a broader range of content. What does this mean for gamers? Higher quality, more variety, and improved distribution and marketing opportunities for erotic games. Hopefully, whether the sex content is serious or humorous, we'll be seeing more mature, responsible, and effective uses of sex in games thanks to the emerging community of developers interested in the compelling possibilities at the intersection of gaming technology and human sexuality.

The SIG, founded and chaired by Brenda Brathwaite, an award-winning industry veteran and Senior Designer at Cyberlore Studios, already boasts a massive membership, a frequently-updated Sex & Games blog, forums, and an active mailing list. The leadership council includes Sheri Pocilujko, Corporate Communications Director at High Voltage Software and active contributor in 9 IGDA SIGs, Ian Schreiber, a designer at Cyberlore Studios, and Kelly Rued of Black Love Interactive and ISER Games (yes, I did just write about myself in third person).

The SIG has launched to mostly positive response, including some surprisingly thoughtful and mature coverage in the gaming enthusiast press, including this Gamespot article: IGDA Takes Sex Seriously.

The progressive and smart serious games site Watercooler games ran an interesting criticism of the SIG thus far. It raises some valid points. I like constructive criticism, but I must express my awe at posts like the ones on a certain teamxbox.com forum where multiple people complain about how the Sex SIG is wasting US tax dollars, when in fact the IGDA is a trade association funded by membership dues from game studios and individual developers.

You'll notice an alarming number of posts all around where people are confused about what the IGDA is and isn't. They are neither a regulating or enforcing body, nor a government agency. They are a non-profit organization "that advocates globally on issues related to digital game creation" and also provides professional development and networking opportunities (this translates to better games as the industry attracts and retains more diverse talent).

A few more links to articles and interviews on the birth of a healthy baby Sex SIG: