Mobile game in sex and drugs shame!
Is the Coolest Girl in School also the naughtiest?
If you want to sell lots of copies of a game, try to anger some loudmouthed family campaigners. That's the rule of thumb in the console industry, where shrill media scare often equals big sales.
We haven't seen the same thing happen in mobile yet (although that may change if a publisher takes a punt on our Crack-Fueled Illegal Immigrant House-Price-Collapse puzzle game – the Daily Mail won't be able to resist).
It's kicking off Down Under though, thanks to a game called Coolest Girl in School. The Family Association has condemned it for allegedly encouraging teenage girls to "take drugs and have sex".
According to spokesperson Angela Conway: "We know that media has adverse impacts on kids as it shows explicit sex and violence. We know that gaming also attempts to amplify impacts, this thing is combining the two."
We assume it's this game from Kukan Studio, produced with mobile content firm Champagne For The Ladies. Their own blurb describes it as "Grand Theft Auto for Girls", and promises:
"Experiment with fashion! Experiment with drugs! Experiment with your sexuality! Cut class! Spread rumors! But try to avoid dying of embarrassment – literally!"
Apparently you can nick clothes from the mall, too. Presumably, any teenage Aussie girl who heard about the criticism has since downloaded it, so we doubt Kukan will be too upset.
