After years of family-friendly fun, Jackbox Games is finally catering to its adult fanbase with the newly announced Jackbox Naughty Pack. Revealed during the latest ID@Xbox showcase, the upcoming party game collection promises “spicy surprises” and an unprecedented Mature 17+ rating – a first for the studio known for hits like You Don’t Know Jack, Quiplash and Drawful.
While details remain scarce, Jackbox teased that the pack will contain three “adult-themed experiences” full of “laughter, wit, and a touch of irreverence.” CEO Mike Bilder stated they aimed to toe the line of mature content without being overly offensive. “We’ve tried to make sure that we’re kind of toeing the line of: it’s an M-rated product, it has adult material, but it doesn’t do things to offend,” Bilder told Screenrant.
The decision stems from vocal fan feedback on social media, with many players admitting to primarily enjoying Jackbox with fellow adults, often while drinking. One comment read, “Jackbox is SUPPOSED TO BE A FAMILY GAME?! I’ve been playing it wrong.”
Keeping the mature rating at an M rather than Adults Only allows Jackbox to still enable content creators to stream gameplay, an important part of the series’ popularity. Most platforms prohibit streaming AO titles.
The Jackbox Naughty Pack continues the studio’s tradition of releasing a new party pack nearly every year since 2014. Each pack typically contains five games that multiple players join using an internet-connected device as a controller. The series exploded in popularity in 2020 as people sought virtual social activities during pandemic lockdowns.
More tantalizing tidbits about the pack’s trio of titillating titles will be revealed this summer. The Jackbox Naughty Pack will release on Xbox consoles and other platforms later in 2024. For more family-friendly fun in the meantime, the previous Jackbox Party Packs are bundled on the Xbox store for $199.
