New phone game about being prime minister beats Minecraft in UK sales
Listen to the story
A new mobile game about being the UK prime minister has become surprisingly popular.
The game, called No 10: Full Confidence, recently ranked above Minecraft on the UK App Store's paid games chart.
In the game, players take on the role of prime minister and try to stay in power.
One player described their experience, saying they survived two years as prime minister. However, their cabinet then deserted them.
A cabinet is a group of senior ministers who help lead the government. Losing their support can be a serious problem for a real or fictional leader.
The game appears to let players experience the difficulties of running a country, including managing a team of ministers.
Minecraft is one of the world's best-selling video games. It has been popular for many years and is known worldwide.
For a smaller, newer game to outrank Minecraft on a paid App Store chart is seen as an unusual achievement.
The success of No 10: Full Confidence suggests that many people enjoy games that let them experience political life.
It is not clear how long the game has been available, but its recent rise up the sales chart has attracted attention.
Games about politics and leadership have found audiences before, but few reach the top of major sales charts.
This story highlights how a niche, UK-focused game can briefly compete with globally famous titles like Minecraft.
Vocabulary10 words
- prime minister
- the top leader of a country's government
- No 10: Full Confidence
- the name of the new mobile game
- paid games chart
- a list ranking games people pay money for
- cabinet
- a group of top ministers who help a leader
- deserted
- left someone alone, without help
- App Store
- an online shop for phone apps and games
- ministers
- important officials who help run the government
- outrank
- to be higher on a list than something else
- niche
- made for a small, specific group of people
- achievement
- something impressive that is done or reached
Quiz
Answer key
1. It deserted the player 2. On the UK App Store paid games chart 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A new mobile game about being the UK _____ _____ has become surprisingly popular.
The game, called No 10: Full Confidence, recently ranked above Minecraft on the UK App Store's _____ _____ _____.
In the game, players take on the role of prime minister and try to stay in _____.
One player described their experience, saying they survived two years as prime minister. However, their _____ then deserted them.
A cabinet is a group of senior _____ who help lead the government.
The game appears to let players experience the difficulties of running a country, including managing a team of ministers.
Minecraft is one of the world's best-selling video games.
For a smaller, newer game to _____ Minecraft on a paid App Store chart is seen as an unusual achievement.
The success of No 10: Full Confidence suggests that many people enjoy games that let them experience political life.
This story highlights how a _____ , UK-focused game can briefly compete with globally famous titles like Minecraft.
Discussion questions
- Would you like to play a game about being a prime minister? Why or why not?
- Why do you think some people enjoy games about politics and leadership?
- Do you think games like this can teach players anything about real government?
- What makes a mobile game successful enough to beat something as famous as Minecraft?
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