I was just wondering, if you were an independent game developer, would you develop M-rated games?
I was just thinking about it because I'm currently studying to work in the games industry. It is my hope to make independent games and build a career doing it, and of course, I have several ideas for video games. It never crossed my mind as to whether or not I would intentionally develop a game with mature content.
As a storyteller, I would do as the game's setting would dictate. I have one concept in mind for which an M-rating would be profoundly fitting, and others that would not fit it so well. But at the same time, any concept can be changed or molded to fit a rating. If they can tone down Mortal Kombat and get a T-rated MK game out of it while still making a competent (if underwhelming) fighter, then anything can be done in the industry.
So, assuming you had the resources and the skills to develop a game, would your title be M-rated on purpose, or would you strive to avoid it? Me, I think I wouldn't consciously pursue mature content in my own game design, simply because I'd feel like I'm limiting my audience. I am skillful enough at figure drawing to draw strong sexual content in my works if I wanted to, but I choose not to because even though it could be veryprofitable, it doesn't suit me as a creator. Others, I know, are quite different.
How about you?