Fashion Designer - 50Cubes

This review of Fashion Designer was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 7 April 2014.

About the app

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

ACCM review

This review of Fashion Designer 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

Levels 1 to 20

App description

This game provides a virtual fashion studio, where the user becomes a fashion designer and creates or modifies designs before entering a virtual fashion show.

Reviewers comments

On one level this game is a fun way to create and experiment with fashion. On another level it presents an idealised version of the female form with no scope to modify body types. Within this game the player is given additional design tools as they progress through levels, these include items such as fabric, pattern types and embellishments. The user is given a design brief eg “create an outfit for my client to wear to the beach, in bright and fun colours!” and then creates fashions. Items are then entered into virtual fashion shows, where other users can vote for their design. This game connects both to Facebook and to other online communities such as MallWorld. Although free the user constantly encounters advertising through the form of product videos. The player is also encouraged to win additional rewards through roulette wheels and a simulated poker machine style game. 

In App purchasing

Yes: The player is extensively encouraged to purchase additional points, tools or other devices to speed up play.

Online information

As this game is embedded in Facebook there are extensive opportunities to engage with online players, these include players that children may not know. Players are also rewarded for inviting friends, emphasising a strong social connection.

 

Gambling

Extensive gambling is found throughout the game, with the player being encouraged to risk coins to win points by playing a simulated roulette wheel and simulated poker machines. Given the prevalence of these tools and the sexualised images of women this game cannot be recommended for children under 18 years.

Advertising and product placement

Bonus points can be earned through watching advertisements. One ad example was for men's sexual health products.

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

Significant gender stereotyping is presented throughout the game. This stereotyping includes “models” wearing the fashion with a very svelte body type and no option to change shape.

Coarse language

None found.

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

No game playing behaviour that may be of concern to parents was found.

Other

N/A.

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