Universal Paperclips Review
Posted: 4 weeks ago.
Author: Andy Robertson.
Overview
You play an entity who's sole purpose it is to make paperclips. It starts by clicking on a box to create a single paperclip at a time but soon develops into a mechanised process to automatically churn out ever more paperclips. As you go on, more options open up. Soon you are investing the profits in the stock market, and investing the stock market profits into computer upgrades, all for the sake of making paperclips at the cost of all else. Steadily everything else is commodified in pursuit of more paperclips.
It's as much a thought experiment as it is a game. But it succeeds at being both. It's enjoyable to play, and just as much fun to talk about.
Details
Rating: PEGI 3+, ESRB EVERYONE
Release Date: 09/10/2017
Platforms: Android, Web Browser and iOS.
Genres: Adventure, Simulation and Strategy.
Developer: @flantz
Tips
View our choice of games like Universal Paperclips.
This game is good if you want to:
Commitment
Costs
Age Ratings
Accessibility
Reading
How much reading or listening comprehension is required, and how accessible this is.
Simple Minimal Reading: Minimal reading is required.
Large Clear Text: Text is large and clear, or can be adjusted to be.
Any spoken content has subtitles: All spoken content has subtitles, or there is no speech in the game.
Controls
How you control the game, different options for alternative inputs and whether you can remap these settings to suit your needs.
Mouse Alone: Can play with just the mouse/mouse button/mouse wheel.
One Tap Targeted: Play with touchscreen, tap in specific locations.
Motion Controls Not Required: You don’t need motion controls to play the game.
Holding Down Buttons Optional: Holding down buttons not required or can be turned off or switched to toggling the action on and off.
Image
How you can adjust the visuals to suit your needs, and offer additional information if you can't hear the game.
Visibility
Large Game Elements: Game characters and other elements are large and distinguishable.
Outline Interactive Elements: Characters, platforms and enemies can be outlined for visibility.
Visual Distractions
No Flashes: No flashing strobe effects or you can disable them.
No Screen Shake: No screen shake effect or this can be disabled.
No Busy Backgrounds: No distracting backgrounds or you can make them static or blank.
Motion sickness friendly: Option to reduce motion sickness (motion blur, depth of field, field of vision).
Colourblind friendly: Game doesn’t rely on colour or can switch to colourblind friendly mode.
Clear Interface: The game navigation, maps and information are clear to read, large or adjustable.
Audio
How you can adjust the audio of the game and whether audio cues compensate for aspects of the game that are hard to see.
Play Without Hearing: No audio cues are necessary to play the game well
System Settings
Android has accessibility settings including ways to navigate and interact, although not all games support this. iOS has a very extensive suite of accessibility settings including ways to navigate with voice and comprehensive screen reading, though most of the features don't work with games... read more about system accessibility settings.
Supported by PlayabilityInitiative and accessibility contributors: Andy Robertson
Games Like Universal Paperclips
The following games are like Universal Paperclips. They address a similar topic or offer a similar way to play. They are good options to play next and also good alternatives to Universal Paperclips for younger age ratings.
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