Katherine Bernasconi's review of Virtual Beggar

Date last edited: 03-10-2022 at 10:25PM

   
Rating: Not Rated

Review:
Title: Virtual Beggar
Developer/Publisher: Treetop Crew
Genre: Casual Clicker Game
ESRB rating: not rated
Your rating on a 5 star scale: 2.5
Primary audience: 4+
Year of release: 2020
Platform: Android

According to the app store, Virtual Beggar is a game where “you play as a Beggar who begs for money, to get out of the streets and eventually, become rich. This game involves tapping for coins and managing your business empire.” It is mostly a mindless game, does not require much strategy, and is mostly used for wasting time. I must admit that I have had this game on my phone for a couple years now, but only open it when I am very bored and have nothing else to do.

As is clear from the image of the game, it is not particularly skillfully developed. It was intentionally created to be very basic visually and conceptually, as is clear from its primary audience starting at four years old. The only aspect of the game that is skillfully developed is the way they provided for the continual development and increase in achievements to strive for, which keeps the player coming back. For example, new outfits for the beggar can be purchased, properties can be upgraded, workers can be acquired, and achievements can be collected.

One way that this game fails the most is in its disregard for the dignity of human life. The concept of the game is inherently disrespectful to those experiencing homelessness or people who out of necessity beg in real life. Turning their pain and real life suffering into a little game for people to play when they are bored is disrespectful and is making real relevant human experiences into entertainment. On one hand, the app takes advantage of people's experience, and on the other they tap into the experience of people who want distractions from their life and want mindless games that can be accessed anywhere.

Further, the game seems to be neutral in its attitude awareness. Since it has a basic goal, tap and upgrade workers to make more money, it doesn’t really leave much room for hidden agendas, brainwashing, or cultural changes. In a subconscious way it could possibly be setting standards for what people think real life beggars are like, but I doubt it was the developers intention. Along the same lines, the game does not contain any real inspiring content for the most part. The only aspect that could be considered pointing to God is once you reach a certain point, you are given the option to “donate your fortune away and start your adventure all over again. Why? You get bigger prophets, better upgrades, and obviously bragging rights.” Though the deeper motivation is self gain, I think this option in the game is hinting to a deeper truth. This aspect of the game promotes that idea that at the end of the day giving and donations are in the end for your good.

Lastly, I do not think that Virtual Beggar is particularly balanced. It certainly does not aim to portray those who in real situations resort to begging, nor does it strive to portray those donating in a balanced way. The app at the end of the day does not seem to be striving for neutrality or fairness in its depictions, but rather aims to provide basic entertainment and distraction for people on command. Given all this, I would not particularly recommend this game and would encourage people to search for more truth filled and inspiring games that uphold the dignity of the human person.

Seven Keys:
Balanced:
Attitude:
Personal:
Truth-filled:
Inspired:
Skillfully Made:
Experienced:

Overall Rating: 11/35

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