If your child is old enough to know that your iPhone does not go into their mouth, then he (or she) is old enough to indulge in a little iPhone-based gaming. iPhone games are diverse, affordable, and are a fantastic distraction for a fussy kid who’s stuck with you in a long grocery store queue. But if you and your child are mostly familiar with console games that are bought at retail, there are a few key differences you both ought to know.
(Note: When someone talks about “iPhone Games,” they’re generally referring to games that run on Apple’s iOS devices, which include the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.)
All iPhone Games are Bought Through Apple’s App Store or iTunes — Unless a phone is jailbroken (specifically modified to work with amateur software), games for the iPhone must be purchased through the “App Store” online storefront. Access to the store is built into the iPhone and whisks the user to an online shop upon command. The desktop version of iTunes can be used to purchase games as well. In either case, you must set up an iTunes account on a PC or a Mac (the same account and its credit card is used for App Store purchases). Note that larger games must be downloaded with a Wi-Fi connection instead of through a 3G network.
All Purchases are Logged by Email Invoices — Before downloading any game or app–free or paid–you’re asked to verify your email address. An invoice is promptly sent to the buyer to confirm that a purchase was made. This can help you log any unwanted or surprise purchases. You can also check your purchase history by clicking on the “Account” link in iTunes and selecting “Purchase History.”
You Can Upgrade and Update Games for Free — When you buy a video game at retail, the product you pay for is generally a complete package from start to finish. iPhone games, however, are constantly added to and go through frequent upgrades and bug fixes. The App Store icon alerts you to any games that need to be updated, and it doesn’t cost anything to apply the updates.
iPhone Games Aren’t Evaluated by the ESRB — iPhone games don’t carry the familiar letter-based content ratings from the ESRB. Instead, Apple evaluates games and issues a rating based on age appropriateness: 4+, 9+, 12+ or 17+. Each rating is broken down further with text descriptions. Clicking on a game’s rating will display the breakdown.
Many Games are Free to Play, but Offer Extra Content Through Paid Microtransactions — Some of the App Store’s most popular social games are tailored for very young kids who can play for free for as long as they like. However, the majority of these games offer special bonus content, levels, and/or items through “microtransactions”–in other words, low-cost purchases of a dollar or so that are automatically charged to the credit card that’s hooked up to your iTunes account. They’re called microtransactions, but they can add up to a whole lot of money in no time at all if they’re conducted by a kid who doesn’t understand that he or she is playing with “real” money. Apple has since put safeguards in place to help prevent overzealous youngsters from going wild, but it’s a good idea to talk to your kids about getting permission before buying special in-game items.
There are All Kinds of Genres up for Grabs — iPhone games are becoming more detailed and complex by the day. This means that there’s lots of kid-friendly content available, but there are also lots of games that are only appropriate for mature audiences. These include titles with violence, gore, crude language, and mature themes. Keep this in mind before unleashing your child across the App Store unescorted.
There are Parental Controls — Don’t fret, though. The desktop iTunes store has Parental Controls that you can use to set age limits on purchased media. You can also turn off the App Store entirely. Select Edit/Preferences on a PC version of iTunes, or iTunes/Preferences on a Mac. From there, click on the Parental Control tab.
Some Apps and Games Display and/or Require the Player’s Location — It’s a rare occurrence, but a few iPhone games, like Paranormal Activity 2, are based around the player’s location, and that location must therefore be detected via GPS. Some Facebook and Twitter apps also display the user’s location, but that option can be turned off in the iPhone’s “Settings” menu.
Special Thanks: What They Play
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Scott Steinberg is the CEO of video game consulting firm TechSavvy Global, and founder of GameExec magazine and Game Industry TV. Hailed as a top technology and video game expert by dozens of publications from USA Today to Forbes and NPR, he’s covered the field for 400+ outlets from Playboy to Rolling Stone. A frequent on-air analyst for networks like ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN, he’s also the author of Video Game Marketing and PR.