I got Google Play Pass for my kids – week 1

After getting informed my youngest had managed to get malware from Google Play, and as I had just recently cancelled all Amazon services last month when after insane profits they upped their Prime rates, I decided to investigate Google Play Pass.

I’ll note this started mostly because with the cancellation of a Fire Kids subscription a few really fun games went away and the cost to purchase on the Google side was notable. I’m wiping that fire tablet and getting out of the Amazon ecosystem entirely, but that’s not so much a stand against their practices it’s more that I really really hate the Amazon app store.

If you’re unfamiliar with Play Pass, it’s several hundred somewhat premium games and apps that are completely featured without the need to purchase packs, watch advertising, or be annoyed that very obvious false advertising is being foisted upon you or your children.

The first thing I noticed was that Play Pass is not particularly well organized, at least not in a manner that worked for me. My kids immediately got it and downloaded several games and a couple of apps including a Sonic the Hedgehog game. Maybe I’m not the target here. My oldest spent about half an hour with a photo editor that lists at $15 or so making her first meme, and my youngest told me the Peppa Pig games on there are not quality (although she likes the one on the Switch.)

I’ve gone down the dark path of There Is No Game, Bridge Constructor Portal, and am keeping Tap the Frog on deck for the kids.

While I haven’t banned the kids from installing apps, the general scumware that exists in children’s apps has decreased significantly. No kiddo, nobody is paying you Robux for playing a game where you tap some lady’s ass. Yes, parental controls are on, and yes that ad was served.

So far on the first week I’ve found at least two games and one app that everyone seems to enjoy. While the retail price on those is in the $25 or so range we’re at I would pay $5 for that (about the current monthly charge.) The question will become whether we keep finding new gold, or whether we tapped out the mine on week one.

So far so good.