TSTO Anonymous: Dear EA, “Super” Social Catharsis Edition

Welcome back to another meeting of TSTO Anonymous. For once, I’m actually holding a meeting within a month of the last one (Jonesing for the Next Event). While I can’t promise this will frequently be the case, I think of the Sunday Open Threads as fill-in meetings when I can’t think of topics or life/game stuff is too busy to hold one. Jebus knows you Addicts like to congregate there and chat about all sorts of stuff. Anyhoo… it’s time to fire up the simulated coffee pot, prop the door open with a lucky red hat, and get this meeting started. Pull up a chair, grab a Wookiee cookie, and let’s get this show on the road.

Hi, I’m Joe “The Wookiee” Riot and I’m a TSTO Addict.

One of the things twelve step programs do in Anon programs is write letters to themselves or others to help with the recovery process. I know quite a few people who have worked or continue to work these programs and even once had an awkward conversation with an ex as she worked step nine. I imagine this process as beneficial and even once had a therapist suggest I write a letter regarding stuff I was figuring out. Considering the current event and a frustration I’m having, I thought it might be cathartic to write a letter to EA, our TSTO benefactor, regarding my chagrin. Considering I have a very realistic opinion about my own self importance as far as this game goes, I realize this is an exercise in just venting my feelings but who knows? Maybe they will see this and take action. If anyone has a small amount of power in the TSTOniverse, it’s all of us here. Not to brag, but we’re semi-successful and there is power in numbers.

Anyhoo… before we get started, I find it ironic that I wrote this post on Tuesday night, only to wake up on Wednesday to find what I had requested to be done already. Since I didn’t want to waste my efforts, I included the letter I wrote below in italics but feel free to skip it if you like.  There’s an idea for all of us below it.

Dear EA,

First off, let me say how thrilled I am with the Superheroes Sequel. I am a big comic book nerd and loved the first event in Feb 2015 and was super excited to see a return of all that goodness plus more. When someone says superhero, I’m usually on board for the next thing so this event is really right up my alley. Thankfully my alley is less orphany or more of the cheetos-littered variety. Issue 1 and 2 have been bueno for me. I think the gameplay has been pretty fair although honestly I use my fiancé as a barometer for whether an event is achievable or not. She got everything in Issue 1 and that makes me happy. Lord knows she struggled during the Wild West one and it’s a good thing she’s not a completist.

Anyhoo… thanks for all the good stuff and even for the stuff we didn’t get that I know could have been awesome. There’s always room for another event like this somewhere down the road and if Marvel and DC have taught us anything, there can always be more. Before I start a riot (see what I did there?) with thoughts for a new event like The Serpent and Poison Lenny and the Crimson Cockatoo (or even better, the Dependables), let me just say thanks for continuing to come up with new stuff for my favorite game. You must be doing something right to keep me playing a mobile game consistently since October 2012.

I’ve played this game for a long time. Somewhere along the line I became addicted and although I still somehow don’t understand how it all happened, I find myself a contributor to a fairly poular blog about the game. I’ve spent enough money to not want to admit the amount to some of my friends and family. Arguably, it was part of my entertainment budget but when I play a game as regularly as I do, I want to be able to earn EVERYTHING. And there in lies the rub to quote someone old and British. What is the deal with the social prizes?

I’m no mathematician or expert on statistics but this particular aspect seems highly unfair. Past social prizes were set up much better and for this event, it seems like you truly made it practically impossible to earn all the social prizes. I don’t care about the felons unless you actually make them permanent characters in my game. I don’t care about bandaids or sciencewater. If I wanted those, I’d buy them in my own town. What I care about is that fracking movie studio you teased as the last prize. Did you want to flood the site I work for with pissed off people wondering just like me why they won’t be able to earn it? I guess I write this because I’m just hoping calling attention to this might bring about some change.

As I write, I still counsel myself with some of the same things I’ve been known to say to other Addicts like “wait and see”, “just keep tapping”, and “there’s precedent for EA to change things”. I guess what I’m saying is I hope Issue 3 fixes the social aspect. If you really want people to visit neighbors, it needs to be worth it to do so. You had the right idea with Friendship Prizes but those seem to have gone the way of every character ever voiced by Phil Hartman. Like the Lyle Lanley tease during the monorail event or an occassional visit by Gil, the final prize seems to be just something to remember or look at and never actually hold. I say that tongue in check since I realize pixels are not very tangible but I do hold my device so I guess you get what I’m saying.

I want to run off on a tangent about Lyle Lanley and Santa popping up only to disappear but I’ll restrain myself.  This letter is long enough as it is. I know getting Lyle in the game probably won’t ever happen but please, please, please make it possible to earn all the social prizes for me and all my fellow Addicts who play regularly, as in ¾ of the event or so. I’m optimistic this will be the case but fully prepared to point out I said something early enough in the event to make a difference that didn’t do squat if I’m wrong. I love this game and hope for great things to continue. Heck, if you ever want ideas, just hit a fuzzball up. Jebus knows I know a thing or two about this game and the Best. Show. Ever.

In closing, thanks for the game but here’s hoping the social stuff can be fixed. I like to think we help offset the tech support aspect of the game with this silly, little blog. You’ll make a lot of tapaholics happy with just this simple fix. I know I might be alone, but I’d even be willing to spend a small amount of donuts, like 30 or so, to have the option for more neighbor battles. I’d prefer a free route obviously but I’m realistic that this is a money making business. Thanks for your time and thanks for the game. You know where to reach me but if you don’t… our e-mail for the blog is TSTOAddictsblog@gmail.com.

Respectfully,
The Wookiee (ripping arms out of sockets since 1977)

Phew… writing that letter felt good even if it ended up being an exercise in futility since I can’t claim that my writing process effected the world in any way, shape, or form. I find the coincidence to be delightful and mildly frustrating but the point is the catharsis of what I did and an idea for all of us here. This is where the Addicts meeting comes into play. I truly think it’s not absurd to imagine someone from EA or FOX or Gracie being aware of sites like ours. I got my chance to say something and it’s no different for you. If there’s something you’ve been wanting or think needs fixed, write your own cathartic letter in the comments. It can be about this event, past events, or just the game in general. If that’s not your bag, just commiserate or sound off with your opinion. The only guideline to it is to stay polite, kind, and professional, otherwise we won’t post it. Sort of like a venting post for all my favorite Addicts. Who knows if what you have to say could spark something with those in control of the game. I know I’m interested in your thoughts on this event, the game, or whatever. Hopefully, we can make some sort of difference. If not, at least we have each other.

I still want Lyle, Santa, and Gil permanently in the game, even if they’re just NPCs. I have no doubt you all want something and can be eloquent in your request. Even if we change nothing, I guess I could quote Theodore Roosevelt and point out “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”

I guess I’ll just end my thoughts one of my favorite anonymous quotes about friends and family which I think of as FRAMILY. “We may not have it all together but together we have it all.” Take care, happy vibes sent your way, and much love from the walking carpet. We finish this meeting as usual with the TSTO Anonymous Serenity Prayer.

“EA, grant me the serenity to accept the updates I cannot change, the courage to recommend the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

TTFN… Wookiee out!