My Talking Tom
| My Talking Tom | |
|---|---|
 The version of the app logo used from 2014 until 2021 | |
| Developer(s) | Outfit7 |
| Publisher(s) | Outfit7 |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platform(s) | Android, iOS, Amazon Kindle, Windows Phone, HarmonyOS |
| Release | Android: November 11, 2013 iOS: November 13, 2013 HarmonyOS (for smart cars): May 31, 2022[1] |
| Genre(s) | Virtual pet |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
My Talking Tom is a virtual pet app released by Slovenian studio Outfit7 on November 11, 2013.[2][3] It is similar to Pou and the fourteenth app of the Talking Tom & Friends series overall. It was the first Outfit7 game to feature the smoother animation, and to feature Talking Tom's current design. A similar app called My Talking Angela was released on December 3, 2014, with its sequel released on July 13, 2021. Another similar app called My Talking Hank was released on December 2, 2016. A sequel, My Talking Tom 2, was released on November 3, 2018. Yet another similar app called My Talking Tom Friends was released on June 11, 2020. It was the first app to be released under the franchise's new name.
Gameplay
[edit]The goal of the game is to take care of an anthropomorphic grey tabby cat named Tom who can optionally be renamed by the player. The player is invited to care for Tom and help him grow from a baby kitten to a full-grown tomcat by interacting with him in different ways, such as feeding him, taking him to the bathroom, playing mini games, and tucking him into his bed to sleep when he is tired. Tom can repeat words spoken into the device's microphone for up to 25 seconds using a synthesized voice. Through in-app purchases, in-game currency, or by logging into Facebook, there is an option to visit Tom's friends, or travel around the world. Using in-game currency, various different outfits, skins, and accessories can be purchased to dress-up and customize Tom.[4]
Age inappropriate advertising controversy
[edit]The app was reported for having advertised age-inappropriate advertisements for adult services. In 2015, the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that advertising for an adult website was delivered to underage children via the app.[2][3] The ASA noted that Outfit7 "had a strict advertising policy" but that the company "had not been able to identify which ad network had served an age-inappropriate ad on a children's app" and how the advertisements were shown in the app.[5]
My Talking Tom 2
[edit]My Talking Tom 2 is a sequel to My Talking Tom, it was released on November 3, 2018.
Awards
[edit]- "Best iPad Game: Kids, Education & Family" at the 2014 Tabby Awards.[6]
- "Best iPad Game: Kids, Education & Family" and "Best Android Game: Puzzle, Cards & Family".[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Li, Deng (31 May 2022). "My Talking Tom game launched for HarmonyOS cars". Huawei Central. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ a b Wright, Paul (2015-12-09). "My Talking Tom: Ads asked children if they 'wanna f**k' in Android and iPhone app". International Business Times. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
- ^ a b "My Talking Tom: Explicit sex ads 'irresponsibly placed' in smartphone app for children". The Independent. 2015-12-09. Archived from the original on 2022-06-18. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
- ^ "My Talking Tom: Review". OmegaDroid. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
- ^ "ASA Ruling on Mobjizz Ltd". www.asa.org.uk. Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom). Retrieved 2016-09-08.
- ^ "The Tabby Awards 2014 Winners, Users' Choice and Finalists". Tabby Awards. Archived from the original on 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
- ^ "My Talking Tom scoops Tabby Award". ToyWorld. Retrieved 2014-09-04.