Sweatshop (video game) explained

Publisher:Channel Four Television
Platforms:Browser, iOS
Modes:Single-player
Genre:Simulation, educational, tower defence
Artist:Gary J. Lucken
Designer:Simon Parkin

Sweatshop is a 2011 educational simulation game with tower defence elements. Developed by Littleloud in partnership with and published by Channel Four Television, it was first released for browsers on July 18, 2011. An iOS port titled Sweatshop HD was released in November 2012, but it was removed in February 2013 due to concerns with the game's content.

Gameplay

Throughout thirty levels,[1] the player manages three different clothes factories.[2] Assuming the role of a manager, the player must create a production line and control the number of workers in the factory.[3]

Development and release

Commissioned by Channel Four Television,[4] Sweatshop was developed by British studio Littleloud, a company based in Brighton.[5] They have previously partnered for projects including Bow Street Runner and The Curfew. The game was fact-checked by Labour Behind the Label.[6] In 2011, the game was released for browsers,[7] and in November 2012, the game was released for iOS.[8]

Removal from App Store

Sweatshop HD was removed from the App Store in February 2013. Apple shared that it was "uncomfortable selling a game" that featured a sweatshop.[9] However, Littleloud stated that the game was meant be a "sympathetic examination" for sweatshop workers.

Reception

Matt Wales and James Gilmour of Pocket Gamer praised Sweatshop writing.[10] Rock Paper Shotgun's Alec Meer felt the balance between employee treatment and meeting the quota.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ferrari . Simon . July 27, 2011 . The Frightening, Real-World Strength of Channel 4's Sweatshop Game . https://web.archive.org/web/20111006073034/http://www.pbs.org/idealab/2011/07/the-frightening-real-world-strength-of-channel-4s-sweatshop-game207.html . October 6, 2011 . May 11, 2024 . Idea Lab . PBS.
  2. Web site: Wales . Matt . December 19, 2012 . Sweatshop HD . April 24, 2024 . Pocket Gamer.
  3. Web site: Handrahan . Matthew . March 21, 2013 . Apple removes Sweatshop HD from App Store . May 11, 2024 . Gamesindustry.biz.
  4. Web site: Benson . Julian . April 21, 2012 . The Banking Game . May 11, 2024 . Eurogamer.
  5. Web site: September 5, 2012 . An interview with Sweatshop main designer . https://web.archive.org/web/20200924091527/http://impertinentgames.com/2012/09/05/an-interview-with-sweatshops-main-designer/ . September 24, 2020 . April 24, 2024 . Impertinent Games.
  6. Web site: Lien . Tracey . March 21, 2013 . Apple removes Sweatshop from App Store; rejects Endgame: Syria a third time . April 24, 2024 . Polygon.
  7. Web site: Parkin . Simon . March 22, 2013 . A serious game about sweatshops... you won't find it in Apple's App Store . May 11, 2024 . The Guardian.
  8. Web site: Brown . Mark . March 21, 2013 . Sweatshop HD is the latest victim in Apple's war on serious games . May 11, 2024 . Pocket Gamer.
  9. Web site: Fahey . Mike . March 21, 2013 . Another Serious Game Falls to Apple's Anger-Inducing Approval Process . May 11, 2024 . Kotaku.
  10. Web site: Gilmour . James . December 4, 2012 . Ingenious tower defence title Sweatshop tests your morals as well as your reflexes . May 11, 2024 . Pocket Gamer.
  11. Web site: Meer . Alec . July 18, 2011 . Gaming Guilt: Sweatshop . May 11, 2024 . Rock Paper Shotgun.

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