Stardoll Access - Stardoll AB

This review of Stardoll Access was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 21 September 2015.

About the app

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

ACCM review

This review of Stardoll Access 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

This app does not contain levels but was played for approximately 1 hour.

App description

Stardoll Access is an app based around fashion and shopping. The objective of the game is to create various ‘looks’, after purchasing a range of clothing and accessories in order to create a personal wardrobe. However, the app appears to be a limited version of the online website of the same name and contains some of the features. There are some skills needed including creativity and motor skills.

Reviewers comments

When the app is initially opened, players are taken to the central menu screen that contains various options. Players can sign in via a Stardoll account, which can only be done on a computer or tablet device, as this needs to be created via http://www.stardoll.com/en/. They can view News and Top Trends, as well as a Mobile Catwalk. On the Stardoll website, players must select from several avatars (male or female) and can opt to style their doll’s physical appearance – they can choose from a range of hair styles and colours, as well as clothing options. Players must then enter a username and date of birth to finalise their account.

After players have logged into their account on the app itself, they are shown some statistics about how many Stardollars and Starcoins they have, items in their wishlist, and the user level of the player.

Within the News section, players are able to access a store of items they can opt to purchase. These are purchased with Stardollars that can either be bought as in-app purchases, or obtained by voting on other looks. This is the Mobile Catwalk, where players are able to vote between two MeDolls created by different users. This involves tapping on the preferred doll to cast a vote, and swiping left to view a new pair.

The Top Trends feature is divided into the categories of Fashion, Interior and makeup. This allows users to scroll through images of items (20 for each category) that have been particularly popular and to purchase them themselves.

There is also a feature where players can accept friend requests, send messages using their private inbox, as well as chat with other users via the app. Players must be over 13 years of age to utilise the chat function.

Although players can add items to their wishlist and purchase items, they cannot adjust their MeDoll through the app – this must be done online via the internet site. Some items are level-locked, and players need to complete certain tasks before they can purchase them. The app appears to be quite limited in terms of what it provides, comparative to the website. It seems as though the app is a simple way for users to manage aspects of their online account via the app, in addition to making in-app purchases.

In App purchasing

Players are able to purchase Stardollars, which enable them to purchase new clothing items for their MeDoll. These can be bought in packages of 20 Stardollars for $0.99, 90 Stardollars for $3.95, 200 Stardollars for $7.95, 400 Stardollars for $15.95, 1000 Stardollars for $34.95, 2500 Stardollars for $69.95, and 6000 Stardollars for $139.00. Stardollars allow users to purchase items in game, such as clothing pieces and interior furniture.

Online information

Players have an Inbox where they may exchange personal messages with other users. In addition to this, there is a chat function within the app that allows live communication between users who are friends with one another.

Gambling

No gambling content was found during this review.

Advertising and product placement

N/A.

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

The app depicts quite a strong gender stereotype for women, with the clothing presented being quite form fitting and revealing.

Coarse language

N/A.

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

The promotion of gender stereotypes and shopping as a recreation activity may be of concern to some parents.

Other

N/A.

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