Gentle Sniper - MondayOFF

This review of Gentle Sniper was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 4 November 2019.

About the app

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

ACCM review

This review of Gentle Sniper 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

Played to Stage 162

App description

Gentle Sniper players are presented with a variety of objects they need to shoot (mostly inanimate but some people and animals). This is accomplished by lining up the vertical and horizontal lines which move back and forth across the object and pressing anywhere on the screen to shoot. Successful hits are graded for accuracy (e.g. A, B, C) and game play moves onto the next level/object. Levels get harder as the game progresses, with some levels building upon each other to create a whole object (e.g. building a hamburger by shooting the bun, then the meat, etc.). The aim of the game is to get as far as you can in levels without missing a target.

Reviewers comments

Although this game is cartoon like in nature, it may have some concerning elements for parents. Whilst the gun in use is not pictured, the loading of the gun and the sound it makes is quite realistic. There are also a range of different high-powered guns with long range scopes available for use – represented by a constant icon on the screen. Most objects are inanimate – like apples and toothpaste. However, there are levels that require players to shoot at people and to shoot at a darkened screen where the player discovers after firing that they’ve hit someone (and that person saying, “Ouch”). It is concerning to note that a high number of accidental deaths are committed by children playing with guns. Research indicates that in America in 2015, 265 children had accidentally shot someone with a gun – resulting in 83 fatalities (International Business Times, 2016). This game may trivialise the use of guns by making it appear that it’s fun to shoot stuff. Parents need to remain vigilant around these concepts and provide education about the dangers of firearms and that they should only be used by adults in strict and responsible circumstances – if at all.

In App purchasing

There is In-App purchasing in this game, examples include:

• “No Ads” can be purchased for $5.99 (AUS).

Online information

N/A.

Gambling

At the 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

There is advertising in this game, including:

• This game has saturated advertising including a constant banner ad and regular 20 – 30 second clip ads between screen transitions.

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

• None noted.

Coarse language

• None noted.

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

Please see reviewer’s comments above.

Other

N/A.

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