GTA 5 ESRB rating: ‘Blood, gore, sex, nudity, intense violence and… necrophilia?’

Here's a shocker (but not really): Grand Theft Auto 5 received a "Mature" rating from the ESRB. Of course, for a game revolves around criminal activities, that's to be expected. What's interesting about the ESRB's rating are the details revealed in the summary — like "a brief instance of necrophilia." Just what the heck are you getting yourself into?

"In this open-world action game, players assume the role of three criminals whose storylines intersect within the fictional city of Los Santos. Players can switch between each character to follow his storyline, completing missions which often include criminal activities (e.g., stealing cars, executing heists, assassinating targets)," the ESRB describes.

"Players use pistols, machine guns, sniper rifles, and explosives to kill various enemies (e.g., rival gang members); players also have the ability to shoot non-adversary civilians, though this may negatively affect players' progress as a penalty system triggers a broad police search," it continues. "Blood-splatter effects occur frequently, and the game contains rare depictions of dismemberment."

The ESRB notes one particular sequence in which "Players are directed to use various instruments and means to extract information from a character; the sequence is intense and prolonged, and it involves some player interaction (i.e., responding to on-screen prompts)."

Other than that, the rating summary lists what you'd expect from a Grand Theft Auto game: "The game includes depictions of sexual material/activity: implied fellatio and masturbation; various sex acts that the player's character procures from a prostitute—while no nudity is depicted in these sequences, various sexual moaning sounds can be heard. Nudity is present, however, primarily in two settings: a topless lap dance in a strip club and a location that includes male cult members with exposed genitalia in a non-sexual context.

"Within the game, TV programs and radio ads contain instances of mature humor: myriad sex jokes; depictions of raw sewage and feces on a worker's body; a brief instance of necrophilia (no nudity is depicted). Some sequences within the larger game allow players to use narcotics (e.g., smoking from a bong, lighting a marijuana joint); cocaine use is also depicted. Players' character can, at various times, consume alcohol and drive while under the influence. The words “f**k,” “c*nt,” and “n**ger” can be heard in the dialogue," it concludes.

Well, sounds like everything I want in my GTA game.

[ESRB]