Glitch

Review

Common Sense Media says

Fascinating, funky MMO creates topsy-turvy world; open chat.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Glitch is a massively multiplayer online game for older teens and adults because of its focus on adult humor and alcohol, and because it doesn't have privacy settings for kids. In-game vendors sell liquor and cocktails, and quests can involve drinking a requisite number of beers. However, for those old enough to play it, it offers a strange and funny art style and simple, violence-free gameplay. The game is free to play, although players can buy credits and subscriptions to use to purchase special vanity items. Chat is open and players can fill out a public Bio. The game can be accessed from any browser that is capable of handling Flash.

  • Positive messages2
    Players get rewards for doing such things as petting pigs, watering trees, and exploring.
  • Positive role models2
    Players' avatars, vendors, plants, and animals are all fun to interact with.
  • Ease of play4
    The barrier to entry is very low. There is some platforming action where players are required to jump from platform to platform, but otherwise, game controls aver very simple. The entire game can be played with the movement keys, WASD, spacebar, and mouse clicks.
  • Violence0
    This is a non-violent game.
  • Sex1
    Light sexual innuendo can be found in some text such as a butterfly asking, "What? No warm-up? No preamble? You just walk up to a butterfly with your clammy hands and try to milk it? You have a lot to learn about charming butterflies."
  • Language0
    Language is clean although the humor is adult.
  • Consumerism1
    The game is free to play and monetizes through the sale of credits for vanity and house decoration items and subscriptions. There isn't any overt advertising and there are several free customization/vanity items available for non-paying players.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking4
    The in-game food and grocery vendors sell beer, wine, and coffee, and there is also a liquor vendor within the game selling cocktails.  Some drinks give mood and energy boosts, some give a mood boosts, and some take away energy. There is also a quest given to players to drink 12 beers, and an achievement badge awarded for being a lush.
  • Privacy & safety1
    Creates privacy and safety concerns. Players have to verify that they are 13+ to play the game by checking a box on registration and an active email is required for confirmation. Players have the option of filling out a public Bio with contact information. Chat is open chat and friends added with ease. Players can "Block" another player, but that means no Private Messaging or auto-following. They can still speak in public and you will see the text. The forums are similarly public.
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What's it about?

GLITCH is a quirky, non-violent MMO with "different" rules. Set inside the thoughts of eleven Giants who have imagined this world, it is a game where chickens are squeezed for grain, butterflies massaged or sung to before you can milk them, trees like to be petted, and piggies invite you to nibble on them to get a bit of bacon. While exploring this vibrant world, players will learn skills, create items, and perform actions in this world will affect other players. For example, if a tree is poisoned, it will no longer give fruit to other players.

Is it any good?

 

Glitch is a novel game and attracts a wide audience due to its varied art style and the myriad of things to do in game, from exploring the many different areas of the world that may look anything Japanese manga to surreal psychedelic landscapes, to learning an incredible array of skills from cooking to levitation to alchemy. The game is free to play and items that can be purchased with real cash are strictly cosmetic. Albeit unsuitable for younger kids due to the lack of privacy options and the focus on alcohol, Glitch is an elaborate, deep, open-ended game that will keep players occupied for a long time. Its originality reminds us of LittleBigPlanet, and it is just as fascinating in its quirkiness.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the need for Internet privacy. Why shouldn't you share personal information with strangers? What are you chatting about? Can others see your chat? 

  • Families can also talk about money issues. What is in-game currency? What do you have to do to earn it? Why you want to spend real cash on virtual items? How much does that special look actually cost?

This review was written by Carolyn Koh
Kid, 12 years old
October 29, 2011
AGE
9
 
glitch is ironically an amazing game
My new favorite online game. It had such depth that it allowed you to delve into, and the visuals were amazing and never tripped up even in big surroundings. The ability to make new friends was almost inhuman, and the outcome of the game was just amazing. The ability to learn skills was very fun, and it also enabled me to do new things, although I criticize the effect that Glitch users can walk around naked but censored. The best part? Auctioning, of course. I would literally buy everything off of there (or at least ingredients) and it would arrive in not even 5 minutes. I also love that AFLC frog that gives you your mail. I want to find that frog and buy it a beer. Step aside, Poptropica, and make way, Sims, because Glitch is the new MMO in town, and they've got a rootin-tootin fun time in store!
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This review was written by Carolyn Koh
Topics:magic and fantasy
Platforms:Windows, Mac
Available online?Available online
Genre:Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG)
Developer:Tiny Speck, Inc.
Release date:September 27, 2011
Price:Free / $4.99 a month & other options
ESRB rating:NR
This review was written by Carolyn Koh

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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