Have you ever wished to build your own Death Star? If you’re not sure what I’m referring to, I’ll tell you: Star Wars: Tiny Death Star.
It’s a free to play simulation video game, available through the app store, developed by Disney Mobile and NimbleBit, and published by LucasArts for Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and Windows 8/RT devices.
This fun and cute game released worldwide on November 8, 2013 and has quickly become a hit among Star Wars fans.
The goal is to build and expand your own Death Star, while attracting virtual people known as galactic bitizens to build and run businesses within the Death Star.
Currency in the game is known as Imperial credits. Imperial credits are earned by selling products and services from each business or by trading Imperial Bux in exchange.
Imperial Bux are used to complete construction and orders instantly, unlock specific floors, unlock specific species, upgrade elevators, unlock costumes, instantly recruit bitizens into a residential level, hire VIPs, and earn money more quickly. Imperial Bux can be purchased on the main menu for real money, but they can also be earned.
While playing Star Wars: Tiny Death Star bitizens, levels and scenes unlocked are found in the album. New species of bitizens unlock when they appear in the elevator or found throughout the Death Star.
The bitizens are categorized into:
- Bounty Hunters
- Droids
- Men of the Rebellion
- Ladies of the Rebellion
- Rebel Heroes
- Rebel Aliens
- Outer Rim
- Troops
- Rebel Forces
- The Force
- The Cantina Crew (yes, you read that correctly)
- Hutt’s Henchman
You name the character, and you will find them throughout the Death Star. Of course, don’t forget The Emperor and Darth Vader are running the show–and are quite comedic.
The levels in the game are classified in six categories; food, service, recreation, retail, residential and Imperial.
The residential levels are used to house bitizens, and each holds five. Each business employs up to three bitizens. The products for each business must be ordered and the length of the time depends on each bitizen’s skill level.
Imperial levels are used to produce Imperial items for missions like converting rebels to spies. When missions are completed, credits are awarded, all the while accumulating credits from customers. VIPs randomly appear in the elevator and have specific perks to improve the Death Star.
The music in Star Wars: Tiny Death Star is absolutely adorable. Never in my life could I imagine the Star Wars Imperial theme as “cheery” elevator music that would put a childish smile on my face. One could imagine Darth Vader dancing his way through an entrance with a cocky grin underneath his helmet.
The game has quickly become a hit among relatives, friends, and even known cosplayers like Liz Katz, who recently posted onto her YouTube page how much she loves it.
I say give Star Wars: Tiny Death Star a try. You’ll be quite surprised at what you’ll see in this creative game. Be careful though, you might end up humming its cheery theme when you least expect it.
