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!
Anyone else having problem with game continually crashing after about 2 minutes? I’ve Been playing this game forever (level 939) and between the crushing slowness when sending characters to recycling quests and the nonstop crashes of this update I’m ready to quit playing.
Not blaming you but it can’t be ignored. Not sure it’s worth it with no freaking land!!!
EA has managed to take all the fun out of designing
Land is there
Some but I refuse to store anything. I was doing OK up until Krustyland. It’s ironic that normally I read your post first but that time I said no spoilers and just jumped in. I despised the old Kristyland so I put in as little effort as possible and everything was crammed into the least amount of land needed.
Let’s say I’ll always check your posts first now. Had I read it I’d be doing fine.
I apologize. I was angry yesterday because I had no room for the premium content. I’ll be patient.
Thanks as always Alissa & team. So far this seems better than the usual mega quest. Less time overall and less things to worry about.
Soooo glad they didn’t force me to take more land way up north after the last two times. Hopefully there will be a lot of land tokens to be had in each act so I can start buying some of that open land and unclutter my town…
Any advice? I’m stuck on Angel Lisa, both tasks are completed but I wasn’t given the character so I can’t move onto the next decoration. I deleted and reloaded, didn’t fix it.
looks like you dont get the plow king bundle offered in the mistery box, when you hace already the costume 🙁
so i bought the christmas market bundle, as there is santa‘s workshop inside (and most of the stuff stored then)
Can I assume that the need for programs will end after the 12th? So any benefit that the premium characters bring to the event will only last 7 days? I would think that if they still had value for the event after the 12th that they wouldn’t be leaving the store so soon….
Disappointing. I spent some donuts to try and get to the bit we’re more of the event unlocks.
Clearly this is it.
Am I the only one who thinks EA can’t win?
Crafting -> complaints
No crafting -> complaints
Lomg events -> complaints
Minigames -> complaints
Who’d be a game designer 🙂
But I must say I’m pleased with an event that finishes on the 2nd January – I will most likely be going out that day to order my retirement toy, ready for Easter 😀
Sometimes I actually feel bad for EA – everyone complainant no matter what they do! Lol
I was dreading having more critters to tap,so this format is a lot less intrusive. I just wish they opened up more land. I still have 14 tokens saved, and I don’t want to lose them.
Is there any income from the items in the holiday bundles (North Pole, Festive, Christmas Market)? If so, how much for each one?
A related question…do any of the rewards in Part I increase income in any way? On second glance, it almost looks like the best strategy is to just keep everyone doing normal tasks.
Am I misreading that?
Since I’m an avid knitter (when I’m not playing TSTO), I got the yarn barn with Kathy immediately, couldn’t wait for Alissa’s opinion on it. Happy tapping everyone! 🧶🎄
Me too !!
Did someone check out, if the max of items has increased?
And how it will be possible to add more land after EA quit the possibility to craft it during an event?
I always look forward to tapping an invasion of whatever takes over my Springfield. Bummer.
I’m with you on that. Also tapping in my neighbour’s town’s. It was a good way to see everyone’s town’s. Also, I like a chance to give to neighbours this time of year and we don’t have that.
I’m four hours behind because of my 10am dentist appointment. (Homer voice. . .”Stupid teeth.”)
I was hoping for a three hour grind instead of a four hour one, but that’s okay. I kinda don’t like using Maggie–messes up my schedule with the Find Maggie game, but I’ll live. So far, it looks like a fun, relaxed holiday season.
Enjoy the holidays, everyone! And thanks to all at this site for the wonderful information.
I think the premium to freemium ratio in this “event” shows just how greedy EA is getting. C’mon guys, the holiday season is about giving, not getting!
few questions…
with no craftables will anything be purchasable via cash further down the line?
Will there be any roaming tapables (ie monsters from last event or elves or something)?
the hub looks like it will have additional tabs are these going to hold each part of the event or will we be getting additional functionality as the questline progresses?
Last year, we got Flanders’s frozen car. This year we get the Cirque de Puree. Next year, maybe we’ll get the stagehand from “The Christmas that Almost Wasn’t but then Was”
I’m hoping for camel Lisa one of these days
Any more land coming out way?
Not impressed, bring back some elves that collect hidden presents, past, present, future looking grim, feels like 4 mini non events, the optimist in me was hoping for more. 🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁
Worst Christmas event ever
I know that I’m in the minority but I like crafting. I’ve gotten some really cool items by crafting them. Looks like a lot of the things I crafted last year are now being sold for donuts. Nothing it seems is being sold for in game cash. No going to neighbors? I also liked that part. I don’t know it just seems kinda boring. Almost like a mini update but not so mini.
There is probably a lot more players that like crafting than we realise & if it’s such a pain then no one is forcing anyone to do it, simply complete the rest of the event. As many have said, they are happy to have less to do anyhow. Bonus areas do not make a huge difference either, I would scrap these.
Crafting is basically the same as buying an item in the store, except instead of cash you use the special crafting currency. With this event you’ll be able to spend actual cash on items you want more of (have to unlock them first then they’ll be available for $). No level up required.
The issue with crafting, in my opinion, is you may want 1 or 2 items in the track but you have to level up to get there. Which means you either end up with a ton of crap you don’t want, or you blow currency to level up. In either case, it’s time-consuming.
In addition, often times you’re forced to craft in order to progress with the main prize tracks. So even if there’s nothing you want in the crafting track you still have to craft. (usually during bonus areas, to increase that %. Because if you don’t increase the % you won’t complete the prize track)
Pros and Cons
It’s more like a Mini-Event (2 stacked on each other) vs typical Event, either take that as more time with your family over the Holidays ’cause you don’t have to try hard this year? or EA isn’t trying to top last year (lol, good luck, 2017’s Christmas was epic!) 🎄
Event Prizes are kinda “meh” as in more useless Decor vs Characters or Buildings (I may find Kem Farming for those sort of Premiums more rewarding – and that’s ok because there’s no grinding involved doing that) 🤷🏼♂️
I can’t complain because this event started smoothly for me at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time without a glitch (Alissa nailed it! no Crafting is a generous break I like!) 👍
Time to jingle jangle catbox mangle 😂 🦌🎄⛄
Do any of the Christmas bundles carry a Conformometer % increase?
They all have at least a small increase
TY!
Merry Christmas to all the Addicts and my neighbors!
I wasn’t playing last Xmas so I haven’t any house decorations. Does anyone think they’ll be an opportunity to buy them?
There will*
Me too. I dont have any. They usually release it before the event. I hope we dont have to wait til next year.
Nor a word from anybody about a mystery box! My favorite!
I opened it 7 times now, and depleted my donut supply.
I got murderhorn 5%
Stupid sexy F with ski lift 4%
Winter King w cave (winter 2014 collection) 3.5%
Maggie star suit (was so close to getting it, like 5 donuts, so no good feelings attached to this one)
Festivus CBG (I was in a huge stress xmas 2015, I didn’t get any of the prize lines completed that year, so that was an okay win)
Slide factory – just a building with income :/
I don’t remember the last thing.. may be later I will…
thanks for update on the event. I have no problem with land, or tiles, or mini events, so I am looking forward to this relaxed 4 weeks. I feel Christmas-y already 🌲👼🎅🏻🎁🔔
Virgil’s cabin is the seventh prize I got. Haven’t built yet, so no opinion on it yet. If it just earn income, it’s going too be still a good prize, because I collect houses, mansions and cabins. It’s going to land right in Main Street, where I have collection display of all of my houses.
Heads up…after the first four hours you will need Homer and Skinner…then collecting programs will be :
Homer, Skinner, Lisa, Bart, Marge, Maggie, Grandpa
Apu, Ned, Willie and Brockman…and the new premium characters French Acrobat and Kathy the Yarnlady will bring in extra programs.
Also…check out the three Holiday Decor bundles in the store (in the Decorations section)…they are really exceptional buys for 50 donuts each. I especially like the Christmas Festival package. You can just plop it down and you have a complete area already designed and ready to go🎄👍🎄😁.
I knew i forgot to add something to the post…
Nahhh…I just jumped the gun.😁
I think the Christmas Market package is a good deal as I believe the Ferris Wheel is regularly 100 donuts.
Are any of these items new or are they all items from Christmases past? That’s one thing I wish they would add to the description of non-unique, returning items…something indicating how many you already have.
All these items are returning…nothing new, although some stuff was unique when first offered (skating rink). It’s kinda like a “vault Christmas bundle”.
Thanks for the info!
Hi Ebron, do you happen to know how much Bonus % the Christmas Market Bundle gives ? I only want it kinda-sorta but could be swayed if the % is decent.
The one with the reindeer give 4% bonus. The one with the bells and columns give 1.25% bonus. The one with the wheel give 2.5% bonus. So that is 7.75% bonus or 150 donuts. So less than 20 donuts per %. Not a bad deal for % only.
so happy there is no grind/crafting
oh and I guess this means no calendar? You must be happy 😉
it’s a Christmas miracle, for Patric that is.
WHAAAAA???? I had one all prepped! No Calendar?? How can this be? And no prize track, so no prize posts? It IS a Christmas Miracle!
There is no bonus donuts ?
You get some extra ones if you buy donuts.
So we don’t have the bonus donuts once we get all the prizes… disappointing
I long for the bygone days when we could spend in game cash for land… sigh! 😞
The only complaint I have is that no new land tokens are available. Was really looking forward to new space. But I’m fine with the format.
🎄😤🎄MAJOR FRIGGIN DITTO🎄😤🎄!!!
💩Been fretting all morning over how to make any decent space to deal with it💩…
Apparently 3 tokens coming as summarized, but doesn’t do what I require / desire😏🙄
http://i.imgur.com/C539ZRv.jpg