# Bit City

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bit_City
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bit_City.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_City
> Source revision: 1332854713
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{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](/source/NimbleBit)
| publisher = NimbleBit
| platforms = [Android](/source/Android_(operating_system)), [iOS](/source/iOS)
| released = March 13, 2017
| genre = [City-building](/source/City-building_game), [clicker](/source/Clicker_game)
| modes = [Single-player](/source/Single-player)
| caption = App icon
| alt = A 3D-pixel art piece of a government building.
}}

'''''Bit City''''' is a 2017 [city-building](/source/City-building_game) and [clicker game](/source/clicker_game) developed and published by [NimbleBit](/source/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](/source/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](/source/in-game_currency) Bux kept. ''Bit City'' was released on March 13, 2017, for [Android](/source/Android_(operating_system)) and [iOS](/source/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](/source/City-building_game) and [clicker game](/source/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](/source/TouchArcade)}}</ref> With a [bird's-eye view](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/NimbleBit), who previously created mobile games such as ''[Tiny Tower](/source/Tiny_Tower)'' and ''[Pocket Trains](/source/Pocket_Trains)''.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5"/> The studio's co-founder, Dave Marsh, [tweeted](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Android_(operating_system)) and [iOS](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/early_access) period on [Google Play](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bit City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_City) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_City?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.