Hey Howdy Hey Tappers!
Well, it was teased (by accident) a few weeks ago…
And yesterday we received the App Store update that brought snow to Springfield! (if you haven’t downloaded it, do so. But remember it’s MASSIVE. So make sure you’re on WiFi)
And now it’s time! It’s officially 10am here on the East Coast which, in the words of Elsa, means “Let the holidays begin!” If I had a Yule Bell I’d ring it… (sorry Riley’s been watching A LOT of Olaf’s Frozen Adventure these days…)
Things will kick off with an AUTOMATIC dialog start with the Simpson family…
I’m working my way through this, and will continuously be updating this post. So continue to refresh and check back for new details. Once the post is completely updated i’ll add (Updated and Complete) to the title.
It looks like the TV is busted in the Simpson household…
Marge: Homer! The Krusty Kristmas Special is starting, and we can’t get the new TV to work.
Homer: Switch to HDMI 2. Or HDMI 5. It’s one of those.
Bart: We tried both! You set up the TV wrong, genius.
Homer: Aren’t you kids supposed to be good with technology? That’s the whole point of us making you.
Lisa: This TV uses apps, right? Maybe if I download one…
Homer: For the love of God, don’t!
Lisa: “Downloading. Time remaining: one hour, fifty-three minutes.” Ew, boy.
Bart: Homer set up the Internet wrong.
Homer: It’s not my fault! I never asked to live in a smart home, surrounded by a million fragile devices I can’t, and/or won’t, learn to set up.
Marge: Well, who needs TV? Maybe we can sit around and tell each other Christmas stories.
Homer: … Let’s try HDMI 4. That might work…
Marge: Who wants to go first?
And just like “the old days”…when the TV goes out you tell stories! The first story is told by Lisa. And this is presented by the 6s task she’ll have to tell a Christmas Story…
Lisa: Once there was an old billionaire who loved nothing but money, and thought Christmas was a humbug.
Homer: Wait. Is this a take on “A Christmas Carol”?
Lisa: Well, I’m going to update it. I’ll make Mr. Burns the lead, and have all the ghosts and side characters played by Springfield regulars.
Homer: Lisa, sweetie, if Daddy has to sit through one more adaptation of “A Christmas Carol”, Daddy will blow his brains all over the wall. You don’t want that for Daddy, do you?
Lisa: Not really, no.
Homer: Then let’s all agree, as a society, that “A Christmas Carol” is a lemon that’s been squeezed dry. It’s given up everything it has to offer, and should be fed into the disposal and obliterated from memory.
Lisa: Fine. I’ll tell a different story.
Homer: Atta girl. And just a warning: at the mention of ghost one, or anything resembling a Tiny Tim, I run screaming from the room. ‘Kay? Great.
After you complete the 6s task you’ll jump into Lisa’s story (Christmas Pagent) and you’ll have to complete a 4hr task for Lisa, Milhouse and Ralph (assuming you’ve unlocked him).
Complete those tasks to unlock more…
Well guys, as some of you have pointed out…this appears to be 4 mini-events all about Christmas. In that, the prizes follow the same questline format to unlock as our regular mini-events do.
This is not your typical Major Event. And there are pros and cons to that, and everyone will find their own pros and cons.
However, let’s keep in mind…this is 4 weeks. It’s Christmas, the busy season. This should be fairly easy to complete. You’ll unlock 20 new prizes. No crafting to grind through. Just have some good old fashioned TSTO fun. And, as long as you don’t rush things, you won’t get bored because it’ll change each week!
Now let’s talk about what’s included…
As mentioned above you’ll kick things off the a 6s task for Lisa followed by a 4hr task for Lisa, Milhouse and Ralph (if you have him). Once you complete that you’ll trigger the prize track questline for Part 1.
Here are the prizes for Part 1
:
Hot Roasted Chestnuts Carts x3. Unlocks with Part 1 of ‘Twas the Pageant Before Christmas. 100
+ 
Christmas Carousel AND Land Token. Unlocks with Part 2 of ‘Twas the Pageant Before Christmas. 300
Angel Lisa. Unlocks with Part 3 of ‘Twas the Pageant Before Christmas. 300
+ Fair Booths x4 AND Land Token. Unlocks with Part 4 of ‘Twas the Pageant Before Christmas. 300
+ Pagent Stage AND Land Token. Unlocks with Part 5 of ‘Twas the Pageant Before Christmas. 300
Questline, which I’ll post later, will show how each is unlocked.
Characters who can complete tasks:
Homer
Skinner
Lisa
Bart
Marge
Abe
Maggie
Apu
Flanders
Willie
Brockman
Kathy from Personnel (Premium Rate)
Circus Acrobat (Premium Rate)
Characters earn:
6/4hrs for Freemium
9/4hrs for Premium
The Daily Challenges have NOT converted over to event currency. They remain exactly as they’ve been prior to this event launching. Cash, SH Currency and Donuts.
Premiums
There are donut deals to be had with this event. Bonus donuts acquired when you buy select packages:
I will tell you, there are icons for this event that show bonus donuts available for all size donut purchases (from a box to a boatload), however, my game only has options for bonus donuts with a Box, A Tray and a Store Full. Not sure if this is the case for everyone, or if it’s different for those of us who regularly spend donuts (ie if we’re getting the shaft again).
As expected in the era of Donut Farming, there is a TON of content with this event that is premium.
We’ll be seeing a Gil Deal (Dec. 12th), two Mystery Boxes (one is live now, the other goes live on Dec. 19th), and a variety of premium items (new and returning) hitting our games regularly throughout the next 4 weeks.
Here’s what’s included today:
New stuff…
Yarn Barn w/ Kathy of Personnel- 175 Donuts. Can help with the event. Leaves game 12/12
Cirque De Puree w/ Circus Acrobat- 150 Donuts. Can help with the event. Leaves game 12/12
Returning Stuff…
The Peak Inn w/ Lyla- 140 Donuts. Leaves game when the event ends.
Santa’s House w/ Santa- 150 Donuts. Leaves game when the event ends. And yes, this means Santa is now premium for those who have him from last year.
The Stable at the Inn- 45 Donuts. Leaves game when the event ends.
North Pole Bundle- 50 Donuts. Includes Marshmallow Tree, Ice Fence, North Pole Reindeer Stables, Gingerbread House, Lollipop Flowers, North Pole Columns, North Pole Elf Cabins, Gum Drop Docks, Fancy Igloo, Reindeer, and Festive Lawn Bell.
Festive Bundle- 50 Donuts. Includes Ice Fence, Lollipop Flowers, North Pole Columns, Gum Drop Rocks, Festive Bell Lamp Post, Candy Cane Fencing, Rigellian Christmas Wall, Festive Hot Drink STand, Festive Fancy Lawn Bell, Wooden Soldiers, Duff Beer Tree, Poinsettias, Festive Bow Lamp Post, Festive Wreath Lamp Post, Festive Trashcan Fire, Festive Lawn Angel, Festive Candycane, Festive Nutcracker, and Snowperson Security Guards.
Christmas Market Bundle- 50 Donuts. Includes Candy Cane Fencing, Festive Wreath Lamp Post, Festive Nutcracker, Bistro set, Ice Skating Rink, Lovely Flower Cart, Giant Outdoor Fireplace, Holiday Tree, Ferris Wheel, and Snack Stands.
Another item I see dated today in the files but can’t verify in game…Baby Gerald
Mystery Box…
Winter Wonderland Mystery Box- 60 Donuts. Includes: Dancing Reindeer, Snow Monster, Star Snowsuit Maggie, Virgil’s Cabin, Plow King Bundle, Ski Chalet, Ye Olde Chocolate Shoppe, Spruce Caboose, Springfield Skating Rink, Slide Factory, Festivus CBG, Ice Palace, The Grumple, Krusty’s Kristmas on Ice, Humble Gingerbread House, Ski Lift w/Stupid Sexy Flanders, King Winter’s Cave w/King Winter, Nativity Scene, Funzo Bundle, Giant Snow Globe, and Murderhorn
Still to come during Part 1 (between now and 12/12)
Circus of Values- Unlocks 12/7. S/B 45 Donuts.
The Screens- Unlocks 12/7. S/B 50 Donuts
And that’s it my friends. The details of week 1 of the 2018 Christmas event!
Your thoughts on the event? Like the mini event format, considering it’s only 4 weeks long? Like the idea of new content each week? Thoughts on the content? Sound off below, you know we love hearing from you!
I really hope there’s more to this… So far looks like a mini event with mediocre prizes… I liked the theme because it seemed simple and classic, but now I’m worried they took that theme too far.
Love my snowy Springfield! Love the splash screen too…”How to cut down your neighbor’s tree” with Flanders standing outside beside a stump! LOL. And the dialog! Who comes up with this! TOO funny!. I hope there are a few more added elements like dropping presents in neighbors villages. Still waiting for the 4 hour tasks to finish so not making any judgements yet. Was hoping to get some ‘free’ land when event start.. guessing its not an option. Bummer. 🙁 Looking forward to the festivities!
I’m actually happy that it’s an event that is hopefully not that ‘time-consuming’. During x-mas holidays and summer holidays i tap a lot less. X-mas because of the busy days, summer holidays because i go on vacation and barely use my phone. We’ll see if we have fun. If the opening dialog counts as a reference it won’t be bad
That’s one big update file. For the first time I got asked mid-update that permission is needed to download more.
I always get amused with people complaining about an event in the earliest moments of an update. Give it a chance people!!! Who knows what is coming our way and besides, Santa IS watching……………………………..
Based on some of the premium buys, it looks like we’ll be collecting ‘programs’ for this first act of the event.
I will echo a comment some other tappers have said…this is probably my favorite splash screen… OF ALL TIME! It’s fabulous.
Now, if there’s any correlation between splash screen quality and event game play (hey Alissa, ever charted this? Seriously.) then I’d say we’re in for a very Merry Christmas!
Thanks for the awesome job Alissa 😊 it’s much better to play with the help of this community
Why are so many people complaining?? I don’t get it!!?
Because that’s the way the world of TSTO works. Every event there are some that love it and some that are ticked off. I fear the end of the world if everyone is pleased…
This game is meant to be fun… even a stress release from life. I’ve played for 6ish years now. Just take it for what it is and enjoy it.
This game was fun because of the major events. Otherwise it’s just any other town building app.
Boring, easy, mini events, used during downtimes, are certainly not major events.
Major awesome events like xmas and Halloween are great stress relievers with lots to do to take your mind off of life.
Boring mini events are just a grind and provide zero distraction and zero stress relief. Imo
I’m complaining because we aren’t getting a major christmas event. They’ve done away with it and replaced it with a mini event series. Down time mini events for xmas! Bah!
Keeps crashing the app on my iPhone…
What is going on??? I’m not even joking if these r minis I’m not playing till new year. I hate the minis anyway so if EA have taken Xmas away Il cry!!!!
I mean it’s 4 parts, follow a questline and unlock prizes. Not sure why you hate it.
I just like full events with crafting and the whole nine yards. Minis r a cool way to use up the time and time to cool off but the prizes r no way as cool as events…obviously if I’m wrong Il say so lol… but at the moment I’ve got a feeling it’s gonna be a flop
Instead of crafting, they have offered three terrific decorating bundles in the store. A whole town’s worth of holiday decor is available.👍😁
They definitely have taken the christmas event away. It is now indeed a mini event series. A way to buy time until, erm, the next mini event? I wonder if halloween will become a mini event now too. Bah!
🎶Shout out to my “Axe”🎵
Just noticed that the axe moves places on the load screen, depending on what device you are playing on.
Have they ever done this before? Not noticed! 🎅🏻👍🏻
The perspective is usually a little different depending on the device you are on. I noticed this with the zoo event.
Ok on this event? All I got so far was Lisa 6sec and tasks then 4 hrs tasks for Lisa Mulhouse and Martin. Hope it progresses from here. I was thinking it was starting later and my homer is busy for 24hrs my bad. Thankfully I donusts left over if needed.
I hope Santa EA brings me the Gold Mansion holiday facade. I didn’t get buy when I should, and I’ve been waiting three years now for it to come back. 🙏🙏🙏
Wow, massive bundles for 50 donuts!! Only wish for more land.
Everybody…these holiday bundles are in the “Decorations” section of the store…check it out. They are indeed massive bundles (3 different sets) of all kinds of holiday decor…including a completely designed and ready to place Christmas Festival…with a ferris wheel, outdoor fireplace and Santa Chair already included, along with bunches of bistro tables and outdoor food kiosks. It’s a steal at 50 donuts!
Ho-ho-ho😄❄️
Are these bundles made up of all the stuff we crafted/paid for in past events?
Yes…some donut stuff, some crafting stuff, even some you can get for game cash (hot dog stand, etc)…you’d have to add up the pieces and decide for yourself if it’s worth it.
Really only one 6 second task followed by 4 hours with rushed monologues. Kind of disappointing. Hopefully it will get better
I’m super pissed. The greatest thing about this game were the events, imo. But now we get basically 4 mini events that take up a ginormous amount of room. Mini events for christmas. Bah!
Yep, those are my feelings. I was really anticipating another chunk of land, much needed to expand my Christmas area. But without even a free land token to unlock, I’ll be dumping the ‘prizes’ left, right and centre.
Humbug.
I agree in my grinchiest manor! What the hell……o.
Haha. I misspelled manner. Or maybe not, my non-decorated home could be considered grinchy.
I’m the first to comment, Yipee!!!! I love Christmas and everything that goes with it. Springfield looks sooooo lovely all covered in snow and there’s lots of Christmas goodies on sale for donuts, (Make sure you take advantage of the donuts bonus, I know I will). Let’s put the world behind us and dive in to enjoy another silly Springfield Christmas.
Merry Christmas (Happy Holidays)
Bah Humbug
First to comment hahahahaha
Thankyou so much for the info about when the event would start and about updating the game the next part may sound stupid but I placed one of the summoning circles from the recent Halloween event into my inventory to make room for my Christmas decorations but when I went in the picture wasent a normal tapped out picture type thing it looks like a actual photo of a real summoning circle as the photo representing it in my inventory not sure if mines just glitched or if it’s the same for everyone’s just thought it was a bit odd and wound erred if anyone else has the same thing happen 🙂
This looks promising……….😊🎄🎅🏻🎁
No more free land to build on? The the theme though!☃️ 🎄
Dammit! They’d better bring back the Christmas monorail station later on.. I was hoping of making a nice Christmas-land in SH complete with station and all..
Springfield heights is my Halloween town. But after Christmas I am nuking my town and making SH my Springfield and the rest a giant amusement park.
I see the 2 new characters with their buildings. My question is are the 3 Christmas bundles new or returning items? I got so much junk I don’t even know lol. I dont want to purchase more of something I already have, especially since I can save my donuts for something else.
We got most as decorations last xmas event…
I liked the ‘find the correct hdmi’ port conversation pretty funny. Everyone has been there at least once 😀 now waiting 4 hours to start the real mission.. I wonder whats in those bundles also, anything new, it’s so tiny I can’t see whats in it.
I took a screenshot and then opened the photo and enlarged it so I could see the content of the bundles.
Oh, guys, I have to be honest: I am really disappointed with this event so far.. No crafting, no new land, no tasks for visiting friends, no mini-games..just the ordinary 4-hours tasks.. =(
Hope this is just the beginning of something big.
Just give it a chance! It just started!
It looks like 4 minis. Just rushed the whole event. Looks like nothing for a week. Agreed it’s a bit disappointing. Mini events to get lame decorations, no land tokens. Or how about this… The ability to pay for the hundreds of land tiles. Meh.
It seems like EA needs some $ for Christmas presents themselves :/
Oh, you’re right. Let’s hope for the better movement ! Maybe the next year..))
Made the mistake of throwing Bart on a 24 hour task yesterday, hopefully I don’t need him until a little later on. I swear I do this every event
Put his treehouse into storage and replace it.
Just store his treehouse and take it back out. That will abort the task and free him up.
Hooray!!!!
I NEED LAND FOR CHRISTMAS EA! 😡
All I want for Christmas is… more land tokens!
I stand corrected with the land tokens since it appears that we are getting 3 from the prizes in act 1.
Great dialogue. Really funny. Looking forward to the event. Looks really fun.
I wonder if they added that 4 hr task to spread out people starting the event and should hopefully reduce lag and crashing. now builds and stuff will be spread out. some will rush with donuts, some will wait 4 hrs, some will be longer. you don’t have everyone logging in at 10est and building everything and running lots of jobs.