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.
| Sweatshop | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) |
|
| Publisher(s) | Channel Four Television |
| Director(s) |
|
| Designer(s) | Simon Parkin |
| Artist(s) | Gary J. Lucken |
| Platform(s) | Browser, iOS |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Simulation, educational, tower defence |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
editThroughout 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
editCommissioned 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.[1] 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
editSweatshop HD was removed from the App Store in February 2013. Apple shared that it was "uncomfortable selling a game" that featured a sweatshop.[3][6][9] However, Littleloud stated that the game was meant be a "sympathetic examination" for sweatshop workers.[9]
Reception
edit| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Pocket Gamer |   [2] |
Matt Wales and James Gilmour of Pocket Gamer praised Sweatshop's writing.[2][10] Rock Paper Shotgun's Alec Meer felt the balance between employee treatment and meeting the quota.[11]
Notes
edit- ^ Under the name Sweatshop HD.
References
edit- ^ a b Ferrari, Simon (27 July 2011). "The Frightening, Real-World Strength of Channel 4's Sweatshop Game". Idea Lab. PBS. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Wales, Matt (19 December 2012). "Sweatshop HD". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ a b Handrahan, Matthew (21 March 2013). "Apple removes Sweatshop HD from App Store". Gamesindustry.biz. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ Benson, Julian (21 April 2012). "The Banking Game". Eurogamer. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ "An interview with Sweatshop's main designer". Impertinent Games. 5 September 2012. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ a b Lien, Tracey (21 March 2013). "Apple removes Sweatshop from App Store; rejects Endgame: Syria a third time". Polygon. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Parkin, Simon (22 March 2013). "A serious game about sweatshops... you won't find it in Apple's App Store". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ Brown, Mark (21 March 2013). "Sweatshop HD is the latest victim in Apple's war on serious games". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ a b Fahey, Mike (21 March 2013). "Another Serious Game Falls to Apple's Anger-Inducing Approval Process". Kotaku. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ Gilmour, James (4 December 2012). "Ingenious tower defence title Sweatshop tests your morals as well as your reflexes". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ Meer, Alec (18 July 2011). "Gaming Guilt: Sweatshop". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
External links
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