Rocket Sky! - Kwalee

This review of Rocket Sky! was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 22 October 2019.

About the app

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

ACCM review

This review of Rocket Sky! 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

All available features were considered.

App description

Rocket Sky! is a simple game where players aim to launch a cartoon rocket as high as possible by tapping and holding down on the screen. There are two bars on the rocket which indicate remaining fuel and the heat of the rocket. Basic motor skills are required and there are minimal written instructions so once instructed on the activity, reading skills are not required. The player is rewarded with money for each attempt, allowing for purchase of upgrades (e.g. speed and fuel). The rocket makes sounds (e.g. whoosh) which may entertain younger children. It appears to be minimal skill required to achieve success in the game, rather the rocket gains different heights at random.

Reviewers comments

Rocket Sky! may be an enjoyable game for some, however it is likely that many players will get bored easily. There are excessive advertisements within the app. For example, on the left hand side of the main screen, it appears as if there is another element to the game and the words ‘play now’ are written, however this opens a new window to purchase an app. There is also an advertisement banner on the bottom of the screen which advertises different but similar apps. Additionally, after almost every attempt, when clicking to ‘claim coins’ (which is required to play again) a video of an app advertisement appears, and the whole video must be watched to be able to exit (and sometimes even two videos must be watched before being able to exit). To exit, the player must click a small cross on the left hand side of the screen which is likely to be missed by young children. If the cross is not touched accurately, a screen will open to purchase the advertised app. Additionally, there is an option to ‘double’ or even ‘triple’ the coin reward, which again leads to a video app advertisement. There is an option to remove the advertisements on the main screen which costs $4.49 and is not behind any parental lock. Having to watch an advertisement video before being allowed another attempt is frustrating, so it is expected that children will either request the paid version so the advertisements are removed, or become uninterested in playing. An additional concerning feature is the use of push notifications. If enabled, the app will send you notifications several times daily e.g., ‘Your rocket is ready for launching! The countdown is on! 5…4…3…’. Rocket Sky! has minimal benefits and multiple concerning elements.

In App purchasing

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

• Remove advertisements for $4.49 with no parental lock.
• Purchase other apps from pop up advertisements with no parental lock.

Online information

There is some online connectivity, such as:

• Although there is no Internet connectivity to play the game, the option to double or triple the coin reward needs Internet connectivity to enable the advertisements to be displayed.
• No account is required to play the game.

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:

• Banner advertisement for different apps at the bottom of the screen (constantly rotating the apps presented).
• After every attempt of the game a video app advertisement is presented (approx. 30 seconds in duration). The entire advertisement must be viewed before exiting.
• On the main screen it appears as if there is an option to play another game within the app but this leads to another app advertisement.

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

• None noted

Coarse language

• None noted

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

• Developer notes that it is ‘addictive gameplay’

Other

N/A.

Got a suggestion?

You can contact us if you have suggestions of other children's apps to review.