One of the most controversial apps in Android history has been removed from the Play Store and can no longer be downloaded in Europe, after user complaints; but the consequences of allowing it in the Google Play Store can be felt for years.
The Brazilian public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation to establish whether there is criminal responsibilities for the production and distribution of the Android application called “Slavery Simulator”, according to reports EFE.
The name of this application is not an understatement. It’s really a game based on the concept of buying and selling slavess, which are treated as a mere resource to be exploited and taken advantage of.
Controversy with a “slavery simulator”
android is a free platform, which any manufacturer or user can use at will; even Google’s platform built on Android is more open than Apple’s, and thanks to that, it’s possible to find apps and services that might be hard to find elsewhere.
Yet the case of “Slavery Simulator” is perhaps the one that has best exposed the problems of the Google platform. Initially endorsed by the Internet giant, it was banned from play store after a controversy that may have legal consequences, at least in Brazil.
Functionally, the game doesn’t differ much from other similar apps; It involves buying and selling resources to get the most out of your investments, with no clear end goal beyond getting as much (virtual) money as possible. The player must make decisions based on circumstances and events that affect the market; there resource management It is essential to win. Basically, it’s more than a game, it’s an excel sheet, but these types of apps are very popular with many gamers.
Of course, most of these apps aren’t based on such a dark part of human history as slavery. Contrary to what its name might imply, “Slavery Simulator” is not about living the life of a slave, but rather that of a slave. slave owner. The player must make decisions to find a financial balance, taking into account aspects such as the anger of the slaves (who can rebel); there are different types of slaves, such as workers, gladiators and “for pleasure”.
sweet condemnation of slavery
Aware of the problematic theme they have chosen (but not enough to rule it out), Magnus Games developers present a notification upon opening the app that reads “Our study condemns slavery in all its forms” and that the game was created for “entertainment purposes” only. In addition, the player is not forced to follow the path of slavery, and at the start of the game he has the option of being a “tyrant” who is only looking to accumulate money, or a “ally” whose ultimate goal is abolition. of slavery.
As expected, this was not enough to avoid controversy, although it was enough for Google to initially approve the application in its store, the Play Store, which is pre-installed on the vast majority of Android phones. Finally, the massive user complaint motivated Google to delete app from its servers, which can no longer be downloaded in Europe. However, this change of mind came too late for the Brazilian prosecutor’s office, which will now investigate to determine whether there is criminal liability under Brazilian law. Something that can be difficult, given the mystery behind the creators of this game.
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