DomiNations - Nexon M Inc

This review of DomiNations was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 12 January 2017.

About the app

This section contains details about the app provided by an ACCM Reviewer.

ACCM review

This review of DomiNations contains the following information:

• The level to which the game was reviewed
• App description
• Reviewers comments
• In App purchasing
• Online information
• Gambling
• Advertising and product placement
• Gender stereotypes and sexual references
• Coarse language
• Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents
• Other

The level to which the game was reviewed

The reviewer played for several hours

App description

DomiNations is a simulation game similar to the popular franchise “Sim City”. The game begins at the “Dawn Age” with a small tribe of people. “Pompus the Wise” guides the player to establish a civilisation which then progresses through the ages of history. This is accomplished by accumulating money and food resources through activities such as hunting, mining and defeating other players’ tribes in battles. Crowns can also be earned and purchased (with real money) during the game which allow players to expedite progress  (e.g., it may take 2 hours in real time to build a tower, but spending crowns will build the tower instantly).

As the simulated civilisation is quite small, fine motor skills are required to play this game. Basic skills in strategy are also required. 

Reviewers comments

DomiNations is quite a slow moving game if the player only uses virtual coins and resources to progress. For example, if you want to upgrade your military to level 4 using only resources, it will cost you $150,000 in virtual coins. However, if you use 279 crowns, you will get the upgrade instantly. The problem is that crowns take the longest to earn in the game and are the only type of currency that you can buy from the online store. Therefore, many players are likely to become impatient and will just purchase more crowns. Purchases start at $7.99 for the lowest amount of crowns (500) – which will not last very long. 

Parents need to be aware that not only does this game encourage battles against other real players, but real time chatting is possible with alliances formed with other tribes.

Furthermore, free crowns are offered to players if they complete certain tasks. For example, clicking on the “Offers” button in the “Free Crowns” box will take the player out of the app and into a website where free crowns can be earned by submitting your personal details and email address to outside companies. 

In App purchasing

Crowns can be purchased in the following packages:

“Pile of Crowns” - 500 for $7.99

“Starter Pack” – 1200 for $14.99

“Mound of Crowns” - 2500 for $30.99

“Plethora of Crowns” – 6500 for $79.99

“ Mountain of Crowns” - 14,000 for $159.99

Online information

Connectivity with social media is encouraged.

Gambling

At time of review, the reviewer found no simulated gambling content.  If you discover simulated gambling content in this app, please contact us with the details so we can update our review.

Advertising and product placement

None

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

None

Coarse language

None

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

There is a level of violence in this game which encourages battles with other real players.

Other

None

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