Tools for this page
Print
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 0; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Cool mobile social game with some risque stuff.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 15 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    To advance in the game, players have to interact with each other -- which, based on the clubs, could include hooking up or fighting. There's lots of opportunity for rejection. On the other hand, players are rewarded for doing nice things, like giving gifts.
  • Violence:

    Fight Club, also in prototype, is an "extreme fighting game" with punching, kicking, and weapons.
  • Sex:

    The Love Lounge is a dating game that promises to let users "take avatar affection to new heights." Two of the options in the prototype are "fondle" and "flash." Some of the graphics on the home page are dubbed as "sexy."
  • Language:

    If you leave the profanity filter on (the default option), curse words are censored ("f###ing") or replaced with neutral words -- e.g. "ass" becomes "amigo."
  • Consumerism:

    The basic version is free online. Players can download the full version to their cell phones for free, or pay to play the full version online. Players can earn or purchase tokens to buy things like furniture and accessories.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The Love Lounge is a bar. Doing "body shots" is one of the actions there. A martini glass graphic is prominent on the home page.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Ego-City

Parents need to know that this is a social networking game for cell phones that can also be played online in a more limited version. Users ages 13+ can sign up with an email address, password, and username, and can opt to receive promotional emails. The object of the game is to increase the status of your avatar by socializing with other players, including chatting. The chat has a filter for profanity that can be turned on or off; either way, since it's an open text field, players can still have iffy conversations or exchange personal information. Two upcoming game features, Fight Club and Love Lounge, seem to have violent and sexual content, respectively. Profiles have a privacy settings.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Internet safety with social networking sites and how nothing is private on the Internet. What information is OK to share, and what information should you keep to yourself? Families can also talk about what virtual communities are. What appeals to kids about using an avatar rather than a true identity? What does an avatar tell you about the real person behind it?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Use this Web site? Review It!

  • What did you think about Ego-City?
  •  I think this Web site is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 6 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    yea

    this site is great way for your kids to play it then to actually do it so its great!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Safety is an issue
    • User content isn't age appropriate

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • User content is age appropriate

    perfect for older teens

    i actually like it.........

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    maive

    i love it

  4. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Safety is an issue

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    LOveit

  5. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Safety is an issue
    • User content isn't age appropriate

    Not a place for kids under 17!

    A lot of foul language. Virtual drinking. LoveLounge is NOT a place for anyone under 18. The interactions are quite adult in nature. In the casino there are currently users selling chips for real money. It's been reported but doubt Ego will do anything about it. The only 'safe' places on the site are the High School, Market and Your Room.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Tech Tip

    How to help them think more ... and want less.Making the Sale

    How to help them think more ... and want less.

  • Book of the Week

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Download This

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    Dark, cool tunes OK for kids too young for the movie.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name