Should I Spend Donuts on Roscoe and the Ajax Steel Mill?

Hey Howdy Hey Tappers!

Pride Month (or week depending on how you look at it) arrived in Springfield yesterday.  And with it everyone’s favorite salesmen comes back to town.  That’s right Ol’ Gil arrives with another premium pusher to ponder.  This time Gil brings us a steal of a deal on the Ajax Steel Mill!  Now I know you may be trying to decide if this is worth YOUR donuts, but don’t sweat it!  We’re here to tell you what’s worth the donuts and what you might want to hold off on.

Wondering if you should add the Ajax Steel Mill and Roscoe to YOUR Springfield?  Well before you hit that confirm button let’s break down the pros and cons of adding this work hard, play harder building to YOUR Springfield!

       unlock_roscoe Ajax Steel Mill

Building/Decoration: Ajax Steel Mill
Character: Roscoe
Donut Price: 150 donuts
Earns: $200, 22xp/8hrs
Conform-O-Meter: Gluttony +10
Size: 9×12

Pros:
-Comes with a quest line
-Premium character earns 50% more on all cash and xp than a freemium character
-Roscoe is Voiced.
-Steel Mill is animated when in use, the windows flash lights like there’s a party going on (cause there is)
-After the questline is over Smithers and Duffman will both have a quest to dance outside the Steel Mill. (for those wondering it’s a 5hr task)

Cons:
-No character interaction after questline
-The Steel Mill is massive, can be hard to fit into your Springfield (especially with limited land available)

Final Thought:
Premium Take:
This is going to be one of those items where I say if you like it grab it.  If you don’t pass on it.  There’s not a ton of benefit to adding it to your town, it’s basically like every other premium combo.  It IS nice that two characters (outside of Roscoe) will have interaction at the Steel Mill once the questline is over (even if one of them is a premium character), but to me it’s huge and odd that it impacts Gluttony (I get it..because it’s a club at night.  But it’s still odd).
Personally, I’m on the fence myself and leaning towards passing.  Even though I work in the metal industry (although we primarily manufacture aluminum), I’ve got a ton of factories in my town and literally said to myself the other day I hope EA doesn’t release anymore!

Freemium Take:
As a freemium player…personally as a freemium player unless  you REALLY want this combo, I’d pass on it.  It’s pricey for what it is/what it does and there are going to be a couple other limited-time events coming up (4th of July to name one).  Personally I’d rather save my hard earned sprinkles for something a little smaller and more impactful down the road.

Of course in the end it’s your decision, we can only tell you what we would/wouldn’t do…and I can tell you I honestly haven’t made up my mind with this combo yet.    However, remember this IS limited-time so don’t take too long with your thought process.  Roscoe and the Steel Mill will leave our Springfield’s next week (on 6/10)…so be sure to make your final decision before then otherwise you might miss out!

Roscoe’s Permanent Tasks:

Roscoe Work Hard Roscoe Play Hard Roscoe

Task Length Earns Location
Hammer Steel 1hr $105,26xp Steel Mill
Work Hard 4hrs $260, 70xp Outside/Visual
Dance Outside the Steel Mill 5hrs $300, 75xp Outside/Visual
Run the Anvil 8hrs $420, 105xp Steel Mill
Play Hard 12hrs $600, 150xp Outside/Visual
Spend the Day at the Gym 24hrs $1,000, 225xp All Night Gym

What are your thoughts on Roscoe and the Steel Mill?  Will you be spending the donuts to bring him to your Springfield (or did you already)? Where have you placed the mill in your town?  Sound off in the comments below, you know we love hearing from you! 

Looking for Should I Buy Guides for more premium content?  Check out our complete Tapped Out Premium Guide here

113 responses to “Should I Spend Donuts on Roscoe and the Ajax Steel Mill?

  1. Was disappointed this wasn’t offered this pride month. Wanted to get my hands on it.

  2. The best thing–in case nobody has mentioned it yet–is that if you never send Roscoe on his final task, you can continue to send dozens of Springfielders on the 4-hour *premium* task.

  3. I bought this and I’m currently playing the quest line which made me laugh. There’s a 4 hour task named “get down at the Anvil” for the adult springfielders, so no teens or animals, but for some reason Maggie and the other babies can do this task too.

  4. herroyaldykeness

    As this has come back and now offers a 50 donut rebate is this worth it for freemium players???

  5. Kozmik_Pariah

    Only the worst space wasting players will have difficulty placing things. If your town is cluttered you went overboard farming or stocking pointless vanity and tree hugging decorations….

    • Whoa there – that’s a little harsh (and misguided)… I’m not speaking for myself, because I still have lots of land left to purchase, and I do agree that folks with house farms probably shouldn’t be complaining about lack of land (since house farms are unnecessary, IMNSHO), but there are some people (like my wonderful neighbor, Tapebelt), who have made an art out of giving their town an elaborate 3-D-like appearance, which takes quite a bit of land to do. My guess is that you don’t have any neighbors who are doing lots of clever 3-D stuff in their games, so you haven’t seen why some folks really do need more space than others.

      For some people, it’s not just about being able to place everything…it’s *how* it’s placed that really matters to them. My town is relatively simple and straight-forward (although I like to think I have some nice touches here and there and that, overall it’s a kind of homey and logical little town), but even I was happy to unsquish a few things, once I had enough money to buy land pretty much at will.

      But, perhaps you’ve found a way to do next-level, interesting designs on your town without using much space….if so, why don’t you post some pictures, as I’m sure folks here would love to see them!

  6. Luckily, land in Tapped Out isn’t hard to fit everything in. Why is town space a factor? Only the most space wasting player will have a problem while smart ones with five stars will easily fit it in.

  7. Is it just me or is the buy donuts for in game cash option new? Just saw it today!!

  8. I got this one right away and I absolutely love it, I haven’t regretted it one bit. The jobs Roscoe does are hilarious and I love that Smithers and Duffman dance outside of it too.

  9. I’m so glad I bought this one. Roscoe’s Vogue dance routine is enough to make me love it.

  10. I just got 30 donuts from the mystery box. For 155 total now. I don’t know what to do now…..

  11. This was a no-brainer for me, I got it right away (after I bought some land for it). It’s been a non-stop party ever since in my Springfield! They are having more fun than I am. Is that right? I created a rainbow fenced-in garden behind the mill which has tables with flags and trees for those that want to escape the loud music and dancing and converse with others. Hey, it’s not all about dancing after all. Sure, you work hard and play hard, but there’s something to said about engaging conversation and intellect as well. There’s also a similar fenced-in park across the street where patrons can do the same minus the ‘refreshing beverages’ that can be found in the Anvil. All in all the new establishment has injected a great deal of fun and merriment in the town. A good break from all that hunting and gathering in the last event. The trouble is that certain characters are not getting as much sleep these days.

  12. OK, I got it. Thanks for the info on Smithers’ outside task. That sold it for me. No regrets! Roscoe has cool outdoor tasks. I placed the steel mill next to Itchy & Scratchy Studio and Slaughter House. Thinking of redesigning to make an industrial district with Duff Brewery, Cracker factory and AH Fudge.

  13. Got to admit, I’m still debating over this one. Reasons and questions follow:

    1) I am a freemium player and always have been, I don’t have enough donuts (87 to be exact) and as proud individual I am debating whether to cross that line and spend real cash for fake donuts to buy it. So my first question is for the Premium players: Do you remember your First Time (crossing that line, spending real money for the game) – did it feel ok? (To clearify, emotionally. Spending real money for fake things). I do understand that it’s a way to express to the designer they are doing a good job. I’m afraid it is like opening Pandora’s box. I might be Overthinking this but I’m curious whom has felt the same way and the results. Anyone not happy with spending cash for digital images?

    2) Ok more like Part 2… Since this is a Gil Deal, what are the chances of this popping up again (Returning)? I don’t remember any Gil Deals that have ever reappeared but I can be wrong, and if so. A little reminder would be good because than I wouldn’t worry as much passing on it, if it may come back when I have the donuts for it.

    As always, thank you for your time :p

    • Bangles Dupree

      I am rather thrifty so I understand your hesitation. I definitely have myself on a donut diet. I don’t look at it as buying a thing. I look at it as paying a little for entertainment. I ask myself, “Will this character or item make the game more fun for me to play?” I try to get only the items that fit the flavor of MY Springfield. I pass on most of the premium offers, especially if I think they are overpriced.

    • I started playing about 18 months after my husband, who is 100% freemium. For the first few months I played, I was freemium too, but I found myself really wanting some of the premium items. I started with the Golden Scratchers, which are a minimum investment but still adds to one’s don’t stash. At some point, we decided it was more cost effective to just buy a boat load of donuts. It was pretty exciting to have that many donuts and be able to buy whatever I wanted. The boat load lasted about three months and I got most of the buildings and characters that are important to me. I think it keeps me engaged in the game and more interested in the game to be able to splurge on awesome premium items. The game brings me joy and helps me shake off a long work day. What’s wrong with paying for that? I feel good about my purchases because a game like this takes a lot of programming hours to produce, and by spending donuts, I’m helping to keep it free for those who can’t afford to pay. My husband is still freemium, which is a point of pride for him, but it’s a point of pride for me to be able to contribute resources to the game. (If a game doesn’t make money, it won’t last.) So we are both happy.

    • As for question #2, who knows about the chances. I did look up all the past gil deals though, and the only exclusive item he offered that popped back up again was santa’s village. So far nothing else has been re-released, but it is worth noting that many of the prior deals were discounts on donuts or existing premium items, and it wasn’t until fairly recently that several exclusive items have been offered as gil deals.

      So yeah, take that for what it’s worth… 🙂

    • I totally understand where you are coming from. I play mostly freemium, I did get donuts twice though, big loads both times. The remnants still last – I am very picky with premium stuff.
      My reasoning at the time of the purchase was this: How much time do I spend with TSTO? If I bought a similarly time intensive computer game, how much would I spend for it?
      And that is my reasoning still – I don’t think I’ll buy more donuts, at least not in the next year. I spent what I think is a fair price on the game. In the end I think it is important to keep the total spent in mind – it is easy to spend 10 bucks here and there, not realizing how they add up.
      Think of a total you want to spend and stick to it – I think that will keep remorse out of the picture.

    • For everyone at the edge of there seats wondering if I would or won’t spend real dough on digital dough that answer is… I did it. I know you’ll all sleep better knowing that. :p

  14. Bangles Dupree

    OK, I’m gettin’ it! More dancing is always cool!!

  15. I love my steel mill! I think every one of my Springfielders is much happier since they Got Down at the Anvil.

  16. It took about 12 hours for me to go from ‘No Way! 150 donuts is too much for a combo that’s only in one short scene of one episode’- even if it is one of my favorites *spends downtime at work reliving said scene and episode and favorite quotes from episode. Starts justifying how steel mill will look good in industrial area. Revels in the notion that if in use you can actually see the guys dancing inside. Decides to wait on the SIB before purchasing. Gets home from work and buys mill 5 minutes later. ‘Hey, look at those colors-that’ll look great next to Death Mountain’ I was visualizing the dancing guys closer to the Build a Thing or Honest John’s animation instead of lit up window silhouettes but over all happy with my purchase.

    • There’s dancing alright, but it’s outside in front of the mill. As you progress through the questline you will unlock the task.

  17. Definite buy for me, it’s from a memorable episode and great news that it’s an addition for gluttony as that’s the only one where I’m at less than 5 stars (refuse to have too many multiples)
    Also more than happy to say thank you to EA for supporting Pride and giving a shout out to the LGBTQIA community 🙂

  18. Voiced AND Roscoe has 3 outdoor tasks I’ll use? OK, I’m going to have to pick up the steel mill!! 🙂
    9 donuts short… I hope I make it in time!!

  19. Tweetypiebabe1

    I literally just caved and got it. I was unsure at first because I’m not that invested in Roscoe as a character but now knowing what his tasks are now I’ve got to grab him!

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