Megapolis - Social Quantum Ltd

This review of Megapolis was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 25 February 2014.

About the app

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

ACCM review

This review of Megapolis 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 1-20

App description

This is a city building game.

Reviewers comments

In this game, the player must create infrastructure, build buildings and add other features to design a functional, interesting city.  Players begin with an allocation of game coins and megabucks. Players are set tasks to complete, which reward them with experience points (XP) and coins. Tasks generally include acquiring new buildings, production facilities and infrastructure. Megabucks can be used to speed up processes. Once set up, some buildings provide the player with coins as “rent”. As the player accumulates XP points, they move up levels. When the player moves up a level, they earn rewards (in game currency), new buildings are unlocked and new tasks are assigned.  

Players may learn about the types of facilities and infrastructure (such as housing, water and energy) which are required in a city. They must ensure they have sufficient resources to support the needs of the city.  They have to decide how to best use their money.    

In App purchasing

Players can purchase coins and megabucks for $0.99 to $96.64. It is very difficult to complete many of the tasks without purchasing megabucks, as they are earned so slowly. There are frequent special offers, sometimes including special buildings, usually with a time limit. 

Online information

Players are invited to connect to Google+ and share achievements with friends.  When players connect to Google+, the app collects their basic profile information (which includes circles of friends – this can be edited), makes games activity visible to the public (this can be edited) and shares profile information and views and manages game activity. Players are asked to help neighbours and can send them gifts. Some of the neighbours are fictitious game characters, however players can invite friends also. Players can choose to invite “buddies” – these appear to be other players who are chosen by the game.

Gambling

There is a Stock Exchange, where players receive one free game periodically. It is a game of chance which rewards the player with various game items, such as points, and/or megabucks. Players can buy more turns at the game with megabucks. One of the buildings players can build is a casino.

Advertising and product placement

N/A.

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

N/A.

Coarse language

N/A.

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

Opportunity presented to build a casino. Other games of chance are presented as an opportunity to earn more in game currency.

Other

Use of substances:
One of the buildings to choose from is a pub.

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