BitLife - Life Simulator
Common Sense says
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Free
- Simulation Games
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know BitLife - Life Simulator is a text-based app that starts you as a random character at birth and then allows you to make choices as your virtual life progresses. Though it's all about text-based choices, they are adult decisions that include one-night stands, threesomes, illegal drugs, murder and more. In one instance (having a one-night stand), the game plays a woman moaning. Players can also choose to have unprotected sex, which can result in pregnancy. An in-app purchase removes ads, and there's also an option to pay to become a "Bitizen" which lets you do things like hire hitmen, get exotic pets, and interact with your virtual boss or teacher. If users tap on "Bitlife Community," they're taken to links like a related YouTube channel, a forum on Reddit, and a TikTok account. Read the developer's privacy policy for details on how your (or your kids') information is collected, used, and shared and any choices you may have in the matter, and note that privacy policies and terms of service frequently change.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Be careful about this, but don’t say “no”
Harmless
It all depends
GREAT APPS FOR MATURE KIDS!
What's it about?
In BITLIFE - LIFE SIMULATOR begins with an animated sperm to show that your life is about to begin. Players live a simulated life and have the choice of playing it straight and narrow or making a series of riskier decisions to see the impact those would have. These can range from one-night stands and threesomes to murdering family members to dropping out of school early to ignoring your health. Often, the choices don't have consequences, but other times it can result in the player being jailed, breaking up with a spouse or paramour, or dying. The life you live is largely based on your choices, but the unexpected pops up from time to time as well.
Is it any good?
This life simulator is certainly an entertaining distraction for adults, but the mature content makes it best for adults or older teens, depending on your stance on the subjects introduced in the app. It's fun to play the game of "What if?" with so many options available to you (whether that's a night at the casino, getting plastic surgery, experimenting sexually or not factoring in your financial situation). But make no mistake: There's nothing here that is appropriate for kids or, in many cases, teens.
In the first life of the review, for example, the character's mother's occupation was "porn actor" (and she kept getting promoted). The game regularly offers your character drugs and alcohol, encourages you to gamble and either have a hookup with a stranger or coerce a boyfriend/girlfriend into having a threesome. The language is a bit bawdy, but it's all meant in a humorous vein. Similarly, you always have the option to murder a character and it's done in a light-hearted fashion. So while older teens and adults who understand the tongue-in-cheek approach and mature content will likely get a kick out of this simulator, BitLife - Life Simulator is definitely not appropriate for kids and younger teens.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the way sex, and relationships are presented in BitLife - Life Simulator. Are there consequences to any of this behavior? Should there be? Why, or why not?
Families can also talk about the impact of other life choices. If you choose to commit a crime, are dishonest, or are cruel to people, what might the consequences be?
App details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Price: Free
- Pricing structure: Free (optional $1.99 in-app purchase to remove ads; $4.99 to become a "Bitizen" for more content; $.99 to use the "Time Machine" and revisit choices)
- Release date: December 11, 2018
- Category: Simulation Games
- Size: 53.60 MB
- Publisher: Candywriter LLC
- Version: 1.7.1
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 8.0 or later
- Last updated: July 21, 2020
Our editors recommend
For kids who love simulation games and critical thinking
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.