Bug Alert! Seeing a few bugs with this event…I’ll outline them below. So before you ask…check the post. 🙂
Hey Howdy Hey Tappers!
It’s finally Christmas in Springfield! Our pocket-sized Springfields have been covered with a fresh blanket of snow! What’s in store for us this time? Well, we’re tasked with seeing if Grampa can bore Death…well to death! Loads of dialogue with this one, so be sure to read along to see what happens! And of course, I’ll be posting it as each week wraps up…
Once again we see another multi-event in Springfield. So love them, or hate them, they’re still here. So let’s all try to make the best of this…
Anywho….things kick off with some 6s tasks for Death and yes, if you don’t have Death you’ll be given him for free..
After you’ve completed these initial tasks you’ll kick off Abe’s in Toyland Week 1…
First, remember this was an app store update available for download yesterday (Tuesday 12/10). So if you haven’t already done so, and you don’t see the Splash Screen above for your game, head to your app store and update TSTO. You may have to search the store for Tapped Out, as it doesn’t always appear on the update list initially…
We did not receive an info packet from EA yet. If we get one I’ll update this post with the event synopsis. Packet just came in…so here’s the synopsis:
Abe’s been waiting all year for Christmas to roll around. Not to give anyone gifts, but to finally take his turn telling stories! No one gave him a chance last year. No one wants to hear his stories and head off to
bed. Fortunately for Abe he is visited by a ghost! It’s Death there to take Abe away, saying “It’s time”.
Which Abe just understands as “It’s story time” thinking it is the Ghost of Christmas Past.Now follow along as Abe recounts stories from his youth all the way to after Homer was born. And find
out how Abe runs into Santa, multiple times, and saves Christmas, multiple times.
BUG ALERT (all issues listed below…except the freaking sound one…have been FIXED via the in-game update 12/12)
So here’s the roundup of bugs we’ve found so far…
-The annoying sound glitch is STILL THERE. Here’s the sound it makes from our Addicts Live show (Video should be queued up to the start of it..but it’s right around the 39:00 mark)..
VERY ANNOYING!
-The Splash Screen, at least on Androids, is all wonky. Looks like they didn’t create a splash screen big enough, so it cuts off on one side.
-Bleeding Gums Murphy Cloud (and I think Cthulhu’s monument..but not sure) has been replaced with just a screenshot from the show…. (thanks Jeremy for providing the image)
-Town Portrait Camera is missing. The option to take a full screenshot of your Springfield seems to have disappeared from games…
I think that’s it for now, but if I see anything else widespread I’ll add it here…
Now on with the update…
We should all know by now unless of course, you’re new to TSTO that the prizes for this event follow the same questline format to unlock as our regular mini-events do.
Just like every large event since last Christmas, this is not your typical Major Event. And there are pros and cons to that, and everyone will find their own pros and cons. And some people’s pro will be someone else’s con.
As always, I just ask that you have an open mind, and reserve judgment until we’re into the event. It’s 4 weeks long (and remember for the past few years we’ve been complaining that events that are 6 weeks plus are just too long). It should be fairly easy to complete. You’ll unlock a bunch of 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!
As I stated above, the initial quests are 6s tasks Death. Once completed you’ll start the Claus And Son questline, which is the week 1 story to follow. This is how you’ll unlock the Week 1 (Act 1) prizes.
Abe’s in Toyland Intro
Auto starts
Grampa: Hey, everyone, it’s Christmas Eve, and time for my favorite tradition… Telling you one of my amazing stories of Christmas past.
Bart: But first, time for one of *our* favorite traditions…Going to bed instead of wasting time on one of your rambling stories.
Homer: Don’t worry Dad, there’ll be lots of time for your stories tomorrow. Like when I’m watching football and ignoring you.
Grampa: *heads to guest room* Aw, what’s the point of living if no one wants to hear me talk.
Death: Glad you feel that way. Because your time has come, Abraham Simpson!
Make Death Terrify Grampa- 6s, Earns $35, 1xp
Grampa: That’d be like taking a girl who’s never been kissed, or a cop who never beat a witness.
Death: Fine, tell your story. I hate people who whine for mercy.
Grampa: In that case, you picked a heck of a business.
Death: But the fates have decreed you must die before Christmas morn. So no rambling.
Grampa: Oh, I never ramble.
And this triggers the entire story premise for each act…
(and yes, just like I did for the past multi-events, I’ll be posting full dialogue for this one before each week is over)
And here’s the Act 1 Synopsis:
Abe’s first story starts from his youth. Young Abe believes to have seen an elf. The elf gives Young Abe a
bottle to spread on his father Orville’s food to get him in the Christmas spirit. After doing so, Orville
believes the bottle to not have been filled with magic but instead with grain alcohol. Orville gets sick
from the grain alcohol and Santa comes down the chimney. Orville believes both Santa and the elf to be
hobos that are trying to steal his pie. The elf encourages young Abe to lock his father in the closet and bring the pie to Santa and himself. Young Abe believes Santa would never lie so he obeys and eats pie with Santa and the elf.
Now let’s talk about what’s included…
DO NOT FORGET TO SCROLL UP AND DOWN IN THE TASK BOXES (PICTURED ABOVE) TO BE SURE TO COMPLETE ALL TASKS FOR EACH PART.
I’ll lay out specifically what you need to do for each part in the turbo tappin’ post, but I don’t want any of you to get messed up with this. So don’t forget to SCROLL!
Currency Act 1: 
Holiday Scythes
Here are the prizes for Part 1:
Claus and Son Pt. 1 and 50 (Winter Wonderland Box token)
Claus and Son Pt. 2 and 100 (Crowd of Elves)
Claus and Son Pt. 3 and 100 (Simpsons Gingerbread Couch)
Claus and Son Pt. 4 and 100 (Winter Wonderland Box token)
Claus and Son Pt. 5 and 100 (Orville)
Questline, which I’ll post later, will show how each is unlocked.
Characters who can complete tasks for Act 1:
Homer
Lisa
Bart
Milhouse
Ned
Grampa
Marge
Moe
Old Tut (Premium)
Characters earn:
5/4hrs for Freemium
8/4hrs for New 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.
The Store
Here’s what’s included today:
New stuff…
Professor Simpsons Universal Panacea and Old Tut- 150 Donuts. Earns event currency for Week 1. Leave stores December 18th.
Returning
Mystery Boxes…
Winter Wonderland- 60 Donuts (or Mystery Box Token from Prize Track). Includes:
Giant Snow Globe
Ski Chalet
Springfield Skating Rink
The Grumple
Dancing Reindeer
Spruce Caboose
Chocolate Shoppe
Funzo Bundle
Ski Lift w/ Stupid Sexy Flanders Skin
Murderhorn
Plow King
Santa Bundle (Santa Homer and Santa Flanders)
Snow Monster
Star Snowsuit Maggie*
Gingerbread Mansion*
Festivus CBG*
Slide Factory
Ice Palace and Ice Princess Martin
Nativity Scene
Virgil’s Cabin*
King Winter’s Cave w/ King Winter
Krusty’s Kristmas on Ice
Cirque De Puree w/ Circus Acrobat*
Anchor Management w/ Don Brodka*
Kid First Industries w/ Jim Hope*
Yarn Barn w/ Kathy from Personnel*
The Peak Inn w/ Lyla
Roller Rink w/ Young Marge*
Mini Golf Castle w/ Lee Carvallo*
Marge Sculpture Garden w/ Young Artie*
Ice Fishing Shack w/ Young Barney*
Aircraft Carrier w/ Young Abe*
*Denotes NOT available in Yearbook Mystery Box
Happy Holidays- 60 Donuts. Includes:
Jesus Christ and Heavenly Swing Set
Rigellian Christ and Manger
Rabbi Krustofsky and Temple Beth Springfield
Brother Faith and Brother Faith Van
Shiva
Gautama Buddha
Pope and St. Paul’s Basilica
ALL items in the Happy Holidays box are also available in the Yearbook Box.
Returning Cash Items…
As with all Christmases of the past, this event comes loaded with a ton of Christmas items you can purchase for in-game cash. Think of these items as crafting, but for in-game cash…
Hot Roasted Chestnuts Cart- $200
Fair Booth- $400
Festive Carolers- $300
Flaming Christmas Tree- $100
Pile of Presents- $100
Returning Premium:
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.
Circus of Values- 45 donuts
The Screens- 50 donuts
Igloo Mansion- 30 Donuts
Boathouse- 50 Donuts
Timberlog Diner- 60 Donuts
Bethlehem Inn- 50 Donuts
Toys B This- 75 Donuts
Personalized Talking Astrolabe- 50 Donuts
The Stable at the Inn- 45 Donuts
Santa Claus- 150 Donuts
Land Tiles
Because I know I’ll be asked…as of right now I don’t see anything awarding Land Tiles. Nor do I see the Golden Goose Realty coming back with this event.
This may be corrected with a patch during this event, but as of right now I don’t see a way of getting more land with this event.
I’m sure GGR will come back at some point, just have to wait it out a little longer.
Item Limits
Per Patric, they have not raised the item limits with this event. That doesn’t mean they won’t, just means they’re not raised at this moment. There have been plenty of times in the past where the limits were raised shortly after the event went live with a patch. If they’re increased we’ll let you know.
And that’s it my friends. The details of week one of the 2019 Christmas Update, Abes in Toyland!
Your thoughts on the event? Like the multi-event format, considering it is 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’m going to assume each week we will earn tokens to use in the Winter Wonderland mystery box. I have 16 items, so I am going on that box until I have some tokens.That way I won’t be wasting 60 donuts on something I could have gotten for free, especially if it ends up being something I don’t want, cough cough funzo bundle cough cough.
Yup, you’ll get 8 total for the event (2 each week)
Oh, joyous news for those of us who don’t have a winter wonderland box (presumably because I already had everything that was in it). 🙁
I think they should add a few new (as in, not previously released) items in each new mystery box, so that everyone can play the box! (And, yes – I know I can trade in tokens for donuts, but I earn plenty of donuts just from clearing buildings and characters, playing the Maggie game, daily tasks, etc., and don’t really find trading in my precious token for a dozen more donuts.)
OTOH, I’m happy that there’s new content coming from other aspects of the event!
No holiday box, only 2 items in the winter box
…. like 6 premium items that i didn’t have.
It seems it will be a 4-hour tapping event (for some days). For new players the tokens will be nice, but for long time players they should try to find something different. I don’t have all the lights for example.
No neighbour actions too. They can recycle some of the old stuff, i wouldn’t mind, they recycle all the time
I’m wondering… with the sound “glitch”… I have the same thing occur, except mine is the chickens clucking. It’s full volume until the game loads completely and then cuts down to my volume level.
Yours (in the video) is the birds tweeting (not sure what item does that… maybe the valentine bird bath?) so it may be the area that you log into that has that item on. (you can try starting the game and then the area that you are in right as you log in… place the chicken coop and see if it changes the sound… that will give you a hint to if that might be a solution.)
Seems to be an “ambient” sound…
Krusty building’s (Clown college, klub & retreat) have no snow on them
zero expectations means ..,.. zero expectations 😂
I’m sorry Alissa, it’s not the 4 Weeks with 1 Week featuring new Event Prizes – I can appreciate that simple format during a busy work month …… it’s just Event Prizes that don’t encourage you to play [tokens, dumb decor], the same Simpson’s Family Members telling their Story each Week [deja nope], new Mystery Box that doesn’t feature anything of interest and/or you already have everything so it’s empty [worthless], a Token that will be turned into 12 🍩’s [again], stupid glitches that are proof this Game App is being 1/2 managed [no new 🍩’s deals], returning Decor Bundles that will trigger an Item Limits warning [again], you can still Farm 🍩’s – but for a longtime Tapper? that’s all you can do. I’ll try and reserve judgement if EA would try harder.
Yeah, anyone want to try and defend all of these poor decisions from EA this Holiday? because you’re going to open a flood gate called “I’d like some more epic fail with that unhappy meal I just ordered” 😂
As you said ” zero expectations “, same for me.
Something is better than nothing but this was EA’s chance to do something special for a special time of year.
As I look over my town at least I can see some of the great stuff we had in Christmas’s past.
John Millar
We have a plethora of great Content over the years from Xmas past …. I believe some of the new Characters / Buildings will be appreciated (it’s the new Decor that’s getting stored for obvious reasons) 😂
Agree with everything you have said, as someone in a similar position I would happily spend a few dollars every event if it meant gaining some cool new content, last event EA encouraged us to spend $160 (that’s the inflated cost in Australia) to purchase all of the new buildings and content on a separate prize track which was a great way of gaining extra cash from long time players but they were FAR too expensive… I would have happily paid some cash for those new items to help keep the game being developed but not that much! Bring in more neighbour prizes and interactivity, greater items limit so we can decorate, I’m sure the developers can find new ways to keep the game interesting in the future!
Justin Henriks
I would definitely pay real 💰 for a 🍩’s deal that involved something neat and unavailable in any Mystery Box and / or temporarily from the Store (this is a 1st, usually there is something, I’m at a loss why EA didn’t think of something – not even a Gil Deal this time – or could we be getting that later? )
No update or snow in Sweden yet.
While I’m disappointed that there’s no land tokens, the currency is 50 for the 1st prize and 100 for the rest or item limit increases. I am very pleased that all the premium characters from last year’s Christmas event are in the winter mystery box and even better that the new tokens can be used on it instead of donuts, I got 6 characters in there so hopefully there will be at least 4 more in the next acts.
I’m not usually a complainer, and I will enjoy the event no matter what they give us, but I don’t have either of the mystery boxes. There has to be stuff I don’t have because I missed at least 3 Christmas events over the years, but nothing being offered this time around is something I don’t already have. With one MAJOR exception. I did not have the light plunger. I was not even going to light my houses for Christmas due to the work involved, but now that I have the plunger everything is decorated and lit. Yeah!!!
Merry Christmas Springfield!
Only 1 box for me and 5 items in it all with characters, bought them all then realized there’s tokens to earn, Doh!!!! Been a long day lol
Had about the same, bought the 2 things in the winter box with donuts. But with the tokens reversed to donuts i will have them amost back. Only a small loss of 24 donuts
I don’t even have an update in the iOS store at the moment. I’m still showing Thanksgiving.
There is snow, there is a Christmas update, and there are eight things in the Wonderland box that I’ve not got; meaning, assuming two tokens per week, there won’t be eight things in the Wonderland box by the end of the event. And you bet I got the Christmas market bundle straight away to expand my county fair area. I am a happy wintry chimp 🙂
It looks like I will be waiting to get Mystery Box Token instead of spending donuts on the mystery box.
I can wait until the last week before spending donuts.
Bummed out that it’s another 4 week, 4 hour grind session as per usual, but I am happy I was able to pick up Young Abe, Jim Hope, Kathy from Accounting, and the Circus Acrobat – only missing 12 characters, now!
Phil Leclerc
There is plenty of be “yay I’ve wanted this but never was able to get it” for Xmas 2019 (where EA did right) …. and the rest is truly disappointing (zero effort from EA). I don’t mind the 4 Week / 1 new Event Pack each Week (very busy month at work), it’s just the uninspiring Event Prizes ….
I wish they would give us decorations for buildings again, only a few of my houses have lights. This is my 3rd Christmas, my 1st had lights but I didn’t have the sprinkles for all the buildings. We had none last year either. This year they let me have the plunger but no lights!
artensoll
This has been a HUGE request for certain Buildings to have Holiday Lights option (we’ve got almost every House and Mansion available, but we need to have them for certain Businesses – was that too much of a request EA?)
Got the new premium character (Old Tut) since I’m loaded with donuts (over 2000 of them).
I only had six items in my Winter Wonderland mystery box and cleared it: Young Abe, Circus Acrobat, Don Brodka, Jim Hope, Kathy, and Lee Carvallo.
However, I still can’t get the Ice Palace since I already have Martin’s Frozen-inspired outfit. Also, I see that Bart and Lisa’s Elf outfits have not returned since I don’t have them.
Several players have that weird glitch where the Bleeding Gums Murphy Cloud and that Cthulhu statue were turned into screenshots from the episodes they originated from. I have it too and since put the items in my storage until EA fixes them.
Ice Palace
Bart and Lisa Simpson’s Elf Costumes
(Yep, same situation – I already got everything and what I’d spend sprinkles on isn’t available)
No mention of the plunger that turns on / off all festive lights at once?
I actually JUST got that in a mystery box for this past thanksgiving event. So they did offer it recently. It was 30 donuts and I got it after 4th try.. so 120 donuts.. but I got 4 things.. 🙂
No mention of the Plunger here that turns on / off all lights at once?
Anything worth saving up donuts for? Like will Gil be coming around with a deal?
Will there be enough tokens throughout the event for all 8 of the things in the winter wonderland box? Other than those previously available in the year book, which i already have. Dont want to spend donughts if i will get them for a token. Thanks.
Wondering this as well, will we get 2 tokens every week on the prize track?
once I get home, I’ll check what I can buy with donuts… hopefully I’ll have something in the yearbook that it is not there now… or boxes… am still waiting for Troy McClure character…
koolviruz
If you’re trying to complete Xmas Event Prizes from the past? it’s slim pickings – especially if you got ’em from our regular Mystery Box already ; yay for ❄️ and 😞 because EA missed an opportunity here (too many opportunities). I may just get the new Character Building Combo just because nothing else is available.
Enough with the tokens. They’re useless for long-term players. I don’t need the 12 donuts that you get for them either.
GuitarBob
Agreed! If you have everything already? these Tokens get turned into 12 🍩’s (because the Mystery Box they’re meant for is empty) 😂
It’s snowing, lol 🎄⛄⛄❄️❄️
I’m just disappointed that there’s no Christmas decorations for the houses
*yawn*…😐
Merry Christmas addicts everywhere 🤶🎅
My sentiments exactly…at least there’s no reason to delete anything in my town to accommodate new items. Only things available in my Holiday Mystery box are things I passed on in the first place, so nothing new to place.😕
Happy Festivus! ❄️🎄🦌😊
It’s going to be an easy Event (I’m fine with that, this is a busy month for me)
Let’s just 😂 it off (I am choosing to) because zero expectations is exactly what it is …..
“All play and no work makes Brooders a dull girl” 😈
Good WiFi at a swell Bar means life is never dull (even if an Event feels half arse) 😊🍹🌺🗿
https://www.frankiestikiroom.com
Realy happy the chrsitmas event is here.being canadian i love the snow.
Does anyone see a way to get ice road tiles.all my christmas area is made with ice roads.happy gaming to everyone and happy holidays.
alaicbeau
alaicbeau
I’m guessing the Ice Road Tiles are in a returning Decor Bundle (had to Store mine, it’s called Item Limits) 😮
I know that the North Pole bundle has like 20 ice walls.. (bought it out of curiosity in the anonymous unsaved city on my device, but very disappointed that all the 10 buildings in it are just decor that gives nothing nor can be used by characters for jobs…) Maybe the ice Road tiles are in the other 2 bundles?
VegaNadia
Well thankfully Alissa has posted a detailed ” Should I Buy” (you’d think EA would’ve had the option to obtain the Ice Road Tiles via Simpson’s $, or 🍩’s for a bundle, but that’s their own lack of Staff in the Game for you!).
Downloaded the update Tuesday on IOS and when I opened the game today,Wednesday morning, huge update again 2344.2MB. Hoping they already fixed some of the bugs.
Yawn. (Don’t kill the messenger). 🤓
sillyboy
I won’t ….. because nobody can defend this poorly executed Xmas Event (4 Weeks, new Prizes each Week, no grinding – I’m fine with that) 😂
So, far the event is running smoothly for me, but we just started. There’s not a whole lot that I want from this event so I am a happy with whatever I get.
Thank you for the updates and the bug alert.
Happy gaming ~BB
BurghBaby
Yes, if there is new Content that’s worth it? I will be Festive and Happy 😊❄️🦌🎄 (the keyword is “if”) 😂
Sorry but I already hate the event. For years I have envied people who have the raccoon in the cute Christmas sweater and wanted it. For years they bring back everything else. I refuse to like a Winter/holiday event until I have my raccoon.
Write to EA! I’m rooting for your racoon and now I want it too 🙂 EA really should do something for the 30 years of the Simpson’s show anniversary on December 17, 1989… Like giving us a MASSIVE box sale 8 weeks into 2020 with all donut items, skins, decor and characters ever seen in the game… And the
Golden Goose on top
Tokens are great for those with limited donuts, so I’m happy for those folks. Mine will be useless, so I wish I could share them with those who would get more use from them…