{{Short description|2017 video game}} {{For|BiT City agglomeration in Poland|Bydgoszcz–Toruń metropolitan area}} {{Good article}} {{Use American English|date=September 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox video game | image = File:BitCityicon.jpg | developer = NimbleBit | publisher = NimbleBit | platforms = Android, iOS | released = March 13, 2017 | genre = City-building, clicker | modes = Single-player | caption = App icon | alt = A 3D-pixel art piece of a government building. }}
'''''Bit City''''' is a 2017 city-building and clicker game developed and published by NimbleBit. In it, the player must generate a steady coin income to build a city that meets a population quota. They may buy in-app purchases to boost their progress and can prestige, which returns them back to the first city with their upgrades and in-game currency Bux kept. ''Bit City'' was released on March 13, 2017, for Android and iOS. Its initial reception was mixed, with praise for its graphics and soundtrack but criticism for its technical performance and repetitive gameplay.
== Gameplay == thumb|In ''Bit City'', the player has to build a city to meet a population quota.|alt=Gameplay screenshot.
''Bit City'' is a city-building and clicker game.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Eric |date=February 20, 2017 |title=Hands-on with NimbleBit's ''Bit City'' {{endash}} Building a Town One Click at Time |url=https://toucharcade.com/2017/02/20/bit-city-hands-on-preview/ |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=TouchArcade}}</ref> With a bird's-eye view,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Sowden |first=Emily |date=March 13, 2017 |title=NimbleBit's town-building sim ''Bit City''{{'s}} out now on iOS and Android |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/bit-city/update-nimblebits-town-building-sim-bit-citys-out-now-on-ios-and-android/ |access-date=September 22, 2024 |website=Pocket Gamer |archive-date=April 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417190434/https://www.pocketgamer.com/bit-city/update-nimblebits-town-building-sim-bit-citys-out-now-on-ios-and-android/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the player must build a city to reach a certain population;<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Eric |date=March 20, 2017 |title=''Bit City'' Guide – How to Maximize Your Earning Potential |url=https://toucharcade.com/2017/03/20/bit-city-guide-how-to-maximize-your-earning-potential/ |access-date=October 1, 2024 |website=TouchArcade |archive-date=October 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005055831/https://toucharcade.com/2017/03/20/bit-city-guide-how-to-maximize-your-earning-potential/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Molina |first=Brett |date=December 24, 2017 |title=Try these 10 games on your new iPhone or Android smartphone |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/12/24/try-these-10-games-your-new-iphone-android/972546001/ |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=USA Today |archive-date=October 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005055925/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/12/24/try-these-10-games-your-new-iphone-android/972546001/ |url-status=live }}</ref> once fulfilled, the player can choose to start another city or keep improving the one they are on.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Renaudin |first=Clement |date=February 10, 2017 |title=City-builder meets clicker in Nimblebit's addicting ''Bit City'', out in early access on Android |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/bit-city/city-builder-meets-clicker-in-nimblebits-addicting-bit-city-out-in-early-access-/ |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=Pocket Gamer |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420221421/https://www.pocketgamer.com/bit-city/city-builder-meets-clicker-in-nimblebits-addicting-bit-city-out-in-early-access-/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Each city has a set number of different-sized plots;<ref name=":4" /> when a player decides to buy a plot, they are prompted to pick one of three districts: Residential, Business, or Service,<ref name=":5" /> which will build residential properties, businesses, and services respectively.<ref name=":2" /> However, if a district type is built too frequently, its demand and income will lower.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=Jim |date=March 14, 2017 |title=How to get more coins in ''Bit City'' |url=https://www.gamezebo.com/walkthroughs/how-to-get-more-coins-in-bit-city/ |access-date=October 3, 2024 |website=Gamezebo |archive-date=October 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005055832/https://www.gamezebo.com/walkthroughs/how-to-get-more-coins-in-bit-city/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Once a plot is built on, the population increases depending on the plot's size.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Jennifer |date=March 17, 2017 |title=How to build more effectively in ''Bit City'' |url=https://www.gamezebo.com/walkthroughs/how-to-build-more-effectively-in-bit-city/ |access-date=October 3, 2024 |website=Gamezebo |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922225322/https://www.gamezebo.com/walkthroughs/how-to-build-more-effectively-in-bit-city/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They may rebuild on the same plot to upgrade a building's income.<ref name=":4" />
The player can buy transportation—including cars, boats, and planes—from a vehicle garage;<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /> when tapped, it will reward them with coins or the in-game currency Bux.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> Bux can be purchased and used in-game to speed up construction or buy special buildings,<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":9" /> which give bonuses for a district.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tylwalk |first=Nick |date=March 21, 2017 |title=How to unlock all the special buildings in ''Bit City'' |url=https://www.gamezebo.com/walkthroughs/how-to-unlock-all-the-special-buildings-in-bit-city/ |access-date=October 3, 2024 |website=Gamezebo |archive-date=October 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005055924/https://www.gamezebo.com/walkthroughs/how-to-unlock-all-the-special-buildings-in-bit-city/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The player may also obtain Bux by completing a mission where the same building must be built a specified amount of times.<ref name=":6" /> The amount of coins the player earns per second increases for every building and vehicle in the city,<ref name=":5" /> and a coin income compounds while the player is outside of the app.<ref name=":8" />
Each city also has a government building for upgrading certain aspects of the city, such as the vehicle or zone payout; these upgrades will reset after the player moves on to a new city. Permanent upgrades apply to every city needing Bux; each new upgrade increases the amount of cash stored in the Pension Pig. The Pension Pig accumulates cash over time, and the player can buy it as an in-app purchase to claim the accumulated funds. The player may choose to prestige, sending them to the first city with their upgrades and Bux intact and giving them keys with a collective earning bonus.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Tylwalk |first=Nick |date=March 15, 2017 |title=How and Why to Prestige in ''Bit City'' |url=https://www.gamezebo.com/walkthroughs/how-and-why-to-prestige-in-bit-city/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702164311/https://www.gamezebo.com/walkthroughs/how-and-why-to-prestige-in-bit-city/ |archive-date=July 2, 2022 |access-date=October 1, 2024 |website=Gamezebo}}</ref> Later, the player unlocks moon cities, containing satellites and moon rovers.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Hodapp |first=Eli |date=April 11, 2017 |title=NimbleBit's ''Bit City'' Heads to the Moon This Thursday |url=https://toucharcade.com/2017/04/11/nimblebits-bit-city-heads-to-the-moon-this-thursday/ |access-date=September 24, 2024 |website=TouchArcade |archive-date=October 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005055831/https://toucharcade.com/2017/04/11/nimblebits-bit-city-heads-to-the-moon-this-thursday/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Release == ''Bit City'' was developed by NimbleBit, who previously created mobile games such as ''Tiny Tower'' and ''Pocket Trains''.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5"/> The studio's co-founder, Dave Marsh, tweeted building designs in July 2015 after experimenting with an art style.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=Jim |date=July 29, 2015 |title=NimbleBit might be working on ''Bit City'', and it might look pretty cool |url=https://www.gamezebo.com/upcoming/nimblebit-might-be-working-on-bit-city-and-it-might-look-pretty-cool/ |access-date=September 22, 2024 |website=Gamezebo |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922225321/https://www.gamezebo.com/upcoming/nimblebit-might-be-working-on-bit-city-and-it-might-look-pretty-cool/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
''Bit City'' was released for Android and iOS on March 13, 2017,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Dotson |first=Carter |date=March 13, 2017 |title=NimbleBit's ''Bit City'' Now Available, Combining City Builders and Clickers |url=https://toucharcade.com/2017/03/13/nimblebits-bit-city-now-available/ |access-date=September 22, 2024 |website=TouchArcade |archive-date=September 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921175641/https://toucharcade.com/2017/03/13/nimblebits-bit-city-now-available |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dotson |first=Carter |date=March 8, 2017 |title=NimbleBit to Release ''Bit City'' on March 13th |url=https://toucharcade.com/2017/03/08/nimblebit-to-release-bit-city-on-march-13th/ |access-date=September 22, 2024 |website=TouchArcade |archive-date=October 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005055832/https://toucharcade.com/2017/03/08/nimblebit-to-release-bit-city-on-march-13th/ |url-status=live }}</ref> following a month-long early access period on Google Play.<ref name=":5" /> In April 2017, it had received 2.5 million downloads, and moon cities were added on April 13.<ref name=":3" />
== Reception == {{Video game reviews | Gamezebo = 90/100<ref name="Gamezebo"/> | PG = 3/5<ref name="PG"/> | rev1 = ''148Apps'' | rev1Score = 3/5<ref name="148Apps"/> }}
<!-- Gameplay --> The overall gameplay was considered charming but repetitive.<ref name="PG" /><ref name="148Apps" /> ''Gamezebo''<nowiki/>'s Nik Ives-Allison called it the "best hybrid clicker-simulation game" at the time and stated it was addictive and easy for the player to learn.<ref name="Gamezebo">{{Cite web |last=Ives-Allison |first=Nik |date=March 16, 2017 |title=''Bit City'' review: Best of Both Worlds |url=https://www.gamezebo.com/the-best/bit-city-review-best-of-both-worlds/ |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=Gamezebo |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605195612/https://www.gamezebo.com/the-best/bit-city-review-best-of-both-worlds/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Campbell Bird of ''148Apps'' criticized ''Bit City'' for providing "very little satisfaction",<ref name="148Apps">{{Cite web |last=Bird |first=Campbell |date=March 13, 2017 |title=''Bit City'' review |url=https://www.148apps.com/reviews/bit-city-review/ |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=148Apps |archive-date=May 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504231714/https://www.148apps.com/reviews/bit-city-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''Pocket Gamer''{{'s}} Jessica Famularo criticized the "shallow" goals and stated there was no motivation to continue after the player had reached the last city.<ref name="PG">{{Cite web |last=Famularo |first=Jessica |date=March 20, 2017 |title=''Bit City'' review - built for success? |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/bit-city/bit-city-review-built-for-success/ |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=Pocket Gamer |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420072607/https://www.pocketgamer.com/bit-city/bit-city-review-built-for-success/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Reviewers from ''Pocket Gamer'' thought the core gameplay loop was engaging and addictive, while others found it boring.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Sowden |first=Emily |date=March 14, 2017 |title=App Army Assemble: ''Bit City'' - how does it fare against NimbleBit's other titles? |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/bit-city/app-army-assemble-bit-city-how-does-it-fare-against-nimblebits-other-titles/ |access-date=October 1, 2024 |website=Pocket Gamer |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420064745/https://www.pocketgamer.com/bit-city/app-army-assemble-bit-city-how-does-it-fare-against-nimblebits-other-titles/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
<!-- Graphics --> ''Bit City''{{'s}} graphics were liked by critics.<ref name="PG" /><ref name="148Apps" /><ref name="Gamezebo" /><ref name=":10" /> While some reviewers commended the variety of buildings,<ref name="Gamezebo" /><ref name="PG" /> Bird praised ''Bit City''{{'s}} landscape design,<ref name="148Apps" /> but Ives-Allison criticized that the lack of a rotative camera made it challenging to view vehicles.<ref name="Gamezebo" /> Critics received its soundtrack positively for its upbeat nature.<ref name="148Apps" /><ref name="Gamezebo" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{NimbleBit}} {{Portal bar|Video games}}
Category:2017 video games Category:Android (operating system) games Category:City-building games Category:Early access video games Category:Incremental games Category:IOS games Category:NimbleBit games Category:Single-player video games Category:Video games developed in the United States