The Simpsons: Tapped Out - Electronic Arts Inc

Short takes

This is a city building game. Caution: in-app purchasing; adult themes.

Age

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Contains some elements of gambling

This review of The Simpsons: Tapped Out was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 27 February 2014.

About the app

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

ACCM review

This review of The Simpsons: Tapped Out 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 1-10

App description

This is a city building game.

Reviewers comments

This game begins with a short video in which Homer inadvertently causes a meltdown at the nuclear power plant where he works and wipes out the whole town of Springfield. It is the player’s task to help Homer rebuild Springfield. The player begins with an allocation of game currency. This is used to purchase buildings and other required items. The game’s premium currency is donuts, which are much harder to earn and can be bought for real money.  Homer instructs the player on what they need to do. Players are also set tasks – some can take hours or days to complete. Donuts can be used to speed up the game. Completing tasks earns dollars and XP points (which move the player up levels). Many buildings and characters can only be unlocked as the player moves up levels. Some require many donuts to be accumulated.

The game has frequent themed updates, for example Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day and is full of typical Simpsons humour and sarcasm.

In App purchasing

Game currency can be bought with donuts. Donuts can be bought with money ($1.99 up to $109.99). The iTunes and Google Play stores advise “You may disable in-app purchasing using your device settings”.

Online information

Players are asked to log in if they have an Origin ID, or can choose to play anonymously. Players can sign in to Facebook to see Facebook friends. When the player logs in to Facebook the app receives their public profile and friend list. Requests can be sent to Facebook friends. Players can visit “other” Springfields – either those of their friends or one which is part of the game.

Gambling

Every 6 hours, players are given a “Scratch-R” ticket, with which “everyone’s a winner”.  Donuts can be used to buy another ticket without waiting. When the player is given the chance to spend $250 game money for the chance to win $10,000 game money, Lisa remarks “Isn’t that gambling?” to which Homer replies “Nonsense Lisa, you can’t lose in a social game”.

Advertising and product placement

N/A.

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

One of the characters which can be unlocked is beauty queen called Miss Springfield.

Coarse language

A car is referred to as a “piece of crap”.

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

One of the activities for Homer is to break into the neighbour’s house to watch their TV – this earns the player currency and XP points. Homer also suggests using the neighbour’s Jacuzzi while they are away. A male character tries to get Lisa’s attention by following her and staring at her.  One of the buildings which can be unlocked and bought to set up in the town is called “My First Tattoo”. It is possible to make a character (who is of ethnic origin) work a 168 hour shift at a store.
Two of the buildings which can be unlocked and bought to set up in the town are a beer brewery and a tavern. One of the character’s tasks can be to “self medicate” and to “brew moonshine”.

Other

The game suggests that players get addicted and play every day for bigger rewards.

Public Reviews

Got a suggestion?

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