Thank Grog It’s Firday!!
Did you feel it? Did you feel the earth shake, hell freeze over, and the moon turn blue? The original “Ah Come On! We are still getting good stuff!” Queen of the Bliss Ninnies (and I use that term with the utmost of affection), wrote a pointed, pragmatic, and reality-based “Musings” yesterday on the “State of TSTO!”
And, the shift you felt, wasn’t so much us swapping magnetic poles, as much as the fact that even “She who is the perpetual cheer leader” has come closer to my side, while I have slid closer to the middle.
Let’s be honest…to say that TSTO is on a “downward slide,” is like maneuvering half-way down Stelvio Pass in the Italian Swiss Alps, with no breaks, in the dark…and saying, “Well…this isn’t as fun as it used to be!”
But, I really do think there are a lot of redeeming qualities to continuing to keep TSTO active on my padular devices...especially if I remember James Taylor.
OK… I know…I know. How does James Taylor and the present state of TSTO have any correlation to one another. I’ll get to that.
But, first…that picture of Selvio Pass, as a metaphor for TSTO.
This road is rated as one of the Top Ten Scariest drives in the world. But, the fact is, just like TSTO, there are ups and downs, and thrills, and repeated predictability in the journey. And like any journey, it will eventually come to an end.
I had to laugh, when Alissa seemed to intimate that the best way to cure the current TSTO Blahs, is to start a new town or two from scratch, as a way to recapture the challenge it took to get anywhere in the game.
I get it. But I look at that from a different perspective. If I started a new town, it would be to remind myself how good we have it, and that I would NEVER go back, through all of the levels, and the “challenge” and expenditure of time. Especially, knowing that the outcome is going to land you right here, in the same place.
Perhaps there would be a difference in the way you decorate, or which decorations you buy, knowing so much more about Bonus % and donut farming. But, in the end, you would be reliving your TSTO life…with the same limitations…and the same virtual outcome.
And worst of all, to do it, you would be spending the most valuable thing we have in life…TIME! I have often call time, “life currency.” In reality, it is the one thing that has a finite limit for everyone, and yet gets wasted in mindless endeavors more than anything else we have. To put a twist on an old saying, “Nobody lays on their death bed, wishing they had played more TSTO!”
So, the fact is, while the game is clearly in a winding down mode, or “Hospice Mode” if you want to be extreme, there is still a great deal of pleasure to be gained, even if EA seems hell-bent on limiting our fun.
But, when someone like Ebron (whose design skills are still the “Gold Standard of TSTO”…take a drink, Tippie), says she hasn’t played the game in two months…you KNOW there is a problem.
For those of us who love designing, the Hard Cap Item Limits are without question, the most soul-sucking reality we face, and a good reason to just stop. If we can’t design, then why play? If we can’t create inventive spaces for the items we win by mindlessly tapping every 4 hours during events and updates, why tap?
I continue to play (although far less frequently) for the same reason that I have several James Taylor albums in my Apple Music Library. I like the way his voice and familiar style make me feel…like I am home with a friend.
When I was forming my own musical style, and learning to perform, write, and play not only my own music, but “the music of the day,” James Taylor was in my regular Top Five. While I loved a HUGE range of music (and still do), there was a gentle, peaceful, relaxing tone to his voice and style of guitar, that felt like home, whenever I wanted to just sit and relax with friends. Songs from his first seven records are classic campfire fare, and became parts of my “troubadour play list” when I played piano/guitar bars in college. Let’s face it…nobody sits around the campfire playing Led Zeppelin songs (beyond the intro to Stairway to Heaven). And almost everyone can sing the chorus of “Sweet Baby James.”
But, after years of never missing one of his concerts, I stopped paying the ever-escalating price of admission, to hear the same songs, over and over again. I still love his music, and will still put on one of his albums on long road trips…but, he has become a “touchstone” for a certain emotion, that no longer requires my constant attention and adoration.
Just like TSTO.
These days, even during a “Major Update Event,” I log in for a few minutes each day to do the “Daily Task,” (I skip the Springfield Heights Challenges), and to hit my “Sky Finger” to collect all of my building rents, and a few donuts.
I play both in some respects out of “Muscle Memory” as Alissa put it. I like winning a few Free Donuts now and then. Which of course is silly, because I can farm the equivalent in seconds. But I LIKE the familiarity of the action.
- I don’t send my Springfieldians on tasks anymore. I don’t need the cash or the donuts.
- I keep a ton of characters “perpetually stuck” doing animated jobs that give me pleasure to see. They are for the most part, not characters that are ever in the bland, same old, same old, characters used in almost every update. I almost never collect the task reward, unless I clear one by mistake.
- I don’t do the railyard anymore…because I can’t use the thousands of rail pieces I have already (Item limits again).
- And I WILL NOT continue to sacrifice the designs that I did during the “Good Old Days” when Item Limits were unthinkable.
Do I want to go back and start all over again? Hells…to the NO! It’s why I’m not nuking…or starting a “new game.”
It’s the same old fools game, of trying to relive or alter your past, by thinking about what you would change. If you are smart, and old, and wise…you realize that looking back is a waste of time, because everything you did brought about a result, that got you to where you are today. But, more important, the time spent once, is certainly not worth spending again, when time itself becomes more and more precious.
So, I will take the time now and again, to actually “walk” through my Springfield, and remember some of the fun things I designed, when I didn’t have to worry about item limits.
3-D design took a ton of space and effort, but the results were always rewarding.
And right in the center of my “Old Springfield” (before we were forced to create alternative realities, and huge amusement park areas), is my Zen forest. It took hundreds and hundreds of little plants and trees to create. If I got rid of it, I would have room in my item limits to place newer things.
But come on…am I going to get rid of my Zen forest so I can place some of the garbage from the last couple of updates?? Pffffftttt…. Not gonna happen.
Because when life gets insane, (which it seems to do, more and more these days), it’s nice to have a place to go, where the deeper you slip, the more relaxed and welcome you feel.
Deep in the middle of my Zen Garden, right next to the “World’s Largest Redwood (which I stopped growing, because I didn’t like the way it was going to turn out…tallest is big enough), is a little friend that keeps life in perspective.
It’s a little squirrel…that sits eating on a log. Happy…oblivious to the world around it, and content in having “enough.” If I had continued to expand the redwood, “just because I could,” I would have lost the squirrel, to a big fence, and a sign. Who needs that?
Learning when “enough is actually enough,” is important in life. “More, bigger, faster, more challenging,” so you aren’t bored, isn’t always a good thing. Take another look at the picture of Selvio pass. That kind of “excitement” I don’t need.
The fact is, with age, you learn to savor “home,” in the small things in life. And one of my favorite little James Taylor songs…which is really just a throw-away for the most part, on the Mudslide Slim album, is the song, “Isn’t Nice to Be Home Again.”
Fifty Eight seconds…with a solo acoustic guitar…and the line, “Didn’t we miss your smiling face?” That really says it all.
Because, as I have learned far too many times this past year, there is no guarantee how much “life currency” anyone has. So many friends have left, far too early. What I would give to have more time with them.
So, in the end…I am happy with where we are in TSTO. It takes far less “life currency” to get the same sense of “home,” as well as the familiarity that can be derived from a relationship that has gone on between all of us, for more than seven years.
As long as this community remains “home,” I will continue to play, and be thankful for all that we have shared with one another.
I was playing this game like 5 years ago, but had to delete due to lack of space in my phone. Ive gotten new phones since then but never downlaoded the game back.
I just downloaded it like a month ago and it was nice to see that my Springfield was still there. Been playing everyday since but theres so much to catch up on.
If EA wants to make the game fun again.. bring on another Stone Cutter event. That was The. Best. Event. Ever!!!
Oh.. and fix the Neighbor glitch. I miss visiting my neighbors. 🙁
And I miss you too! I was reminded how cool the casino event was. Back when they cared. It was hilarious!
Cool you have it in a oner, like a TARDIS walking through my Springfield, when I created it, how much I played just to earn my design’s and spend hours designing it till it was right to me, if I nuked it all then what’s the point, I can’t rewrite my life, if EA want’s rid of us the delete it from the market.
The design folks are always looking for new ways to explore. The ploppers just want the next shiny thing. Raise The item limits and I’ll continue to play.
James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Carole King, The Band…all experts at storytelling to unforgettable music. 😁
Agreed! Add Elton, and the Beatles, and you have my main influences in the late 60s.
Some of the Kennedy Center honours have fantastic performances
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph1GU1qQ1zQ
I may have smoked some Canadian Salad tonight. Chillin and lovin every minute until Monday..
Well…salad is now legal there. So enjoy! Just make sure to include the dressing.
Ebron you still play the roller coaster game?
I bought all the land and filled it…nowhere to go from there, so I had to delete it. Was a lot of fun while it lasted, tho.🎢🎡🎢😁
Can we please have past updates come back? I missed out on casino, and itchy scratchy land and other cool ones. I really need those items in my town 🙁 and I want those items to come back and be playable/placeable
Also whens the next update? It’s fine be Valentine’s right? We’ll when?
You’ll know when we do…and yes, they should bring back some of the past items from the Casino. One of my favorite events ever.
I’m glad to say the Casino Event was one of the funniest (anything that lampoons Las Vegas is deemed worthy to me) – I even accepted the Character Skins …. because there were some great Buildings, new Characters, interactive Decor …. so yes, if there isn’t enough of that Content in the Mystery Box, it deserves to return (all of it). 👍🏻
When will we have a new Event drop into the Game App? When EA decides to …. at this rate it could happen whenever (zero expectations from me, but let’s hope it’s not until the Ides of March)😂
nicely put man…. ditto on every point you make… **** Takes out lighter, turns it on, waves it around like it was a slow rock song****
Ha! Make sure that is a virtual lighter! We don’t want to burn down the server.
I drove the Stelvio pass in 2003 (possibly 2004). It is both awe-inspiring (the scenery and views) and terrifying (the everything else); it is also the first and, to date, the only time I have got out and hugged my car once I reached my destination. Recommended 🙂
Wow!! I’ve been on a few white nucklers. But that one looks nuts!
It was pretty amazing. Quite glad it was in a hire car though, the brakes smelled awful at the end of it! There’s also a yearly bike ride there; thousands of cyclists gather every September (I think) to hurtle down it. That’s a level of lunacy I admire. But from a safe distance.
Daaaaaamn! I’d be walking the bike down the hill.
They often climb it during the ‘Giro’ , the tour of Italy. A murdering climb for the racers
I’ve played this game for over 5 years and for the most part I enjoy it. However, that being said, I’m left with a feeling of wanting more and wanting better stuff. If this is winding down and all indications appear to support that assumption, then I don’t know why EA can’t give all what we have been asking for whether it’s a giant toilet, an items limit increase, opening up Springfield Heights, or a second Yearbook with the items that were not available in the first one. I just hope when EA does decide to end the game, we get plenty of notice and able to maintain our Springfield with the current content in some format if we wish.
They have to give us ample notice if they are still selling donuts for cash.
So there’s that.
You mean when she finally stopped defending EA and began voicing how disappointing certain things about TSTO as a Game App have become? 🤔
Alissa has slowly revealed more about what she didn’t like with each Event / Mini Event since last year …. and she’s been very accurate each time (ie do we need another Character that can only do a 1 Hour, or 4 Hour, Task if a certain Character is also available when we already got 5 – 6 of them like that? No! That messes with the OCD of getting to send all Characters on a timed Task via the IRS Building …. and you don’t want to mess with a Tapper’s OCD! (especially mine lol!) 🤫
I do feel Alissa made a valid point during the last video cast in that maybe we’ve reached the point where it’s impossible to appease everyone (we’re going to find faults no matter what); but that’s because TSTO reached it’s zenith years ago …. and it’s been slowly going downhill ever since (your fault EA!) 💡
And finally, I think the utter disappointment from the writers during this last Mini Event triggered it (the dialogue was dumb! it was their worst efforts! it does not bode well with what the next Event is going to be like!) 💡
Now here’s my opinion on how bad EA is sliding downhill with their ” lack of’s” towards TSTO courtesy of THE ITALIAN JOB (1969) and that climatic scene (on the road to Ceresole Reale via Lago Agnel and Nivolet Pass – literally hanging off a cliff) and yes even The Simpsons lampooned this Film (The Italian Bob – 8th Episode, 17th Season) 😂
https://youtu.be/HZCaSyid4m0
Are there reasons to download TSTO and Tap away? When you compare it to the “similar Game Apps”, I’d say YES (free to download, no in-game advertisements, more game levels then any other, you don’t have to spend real 💵 if you accept certain limitations). I’d also say – thanks to Patric – you really need to find a balance between playing the Game App, and spending time away from the Game App (I’m actually spending less time Tapping per week than I ever imagined – only 20 minutes a day 5 days a week tops – and I’m fine with that because I am only do so much with my TSTO zen garden). But does that still make me a TSTO Addict? Absolutely, it’s just only Monday thru Friday! 😂
I won’t question a Tapper deciding to start a B (or C) Springfield [personally, one is enough for me, it’s up to EA to keep me interested beyond the 5 to 10 minutes it takes to farm 🍩’s]. I won’t object to anyone nuking their Springfield [I’ve chosen not to, I’ve spent enough time remodeling the whole Town and it’s separate Districts – including Springfield Heights and Krustyland – that it’s all on EA]. I will never defend EA’s decisions not to increase Item Limits, or not add more Land where it’s obviously available [that’s all on EA!] I do agree the visual Tasks from certain Characters are worth keeping permanent and continuous (they’re just too amusing, like keeping Homer Simpson “between a rock and a hard place”). 😉
Time is precious …. seeing your favourite performers / bands live is precious …. an exception is when it costs more then a mortgage to attend (the only exception to that rule is if you know it’s going to be their last tour / last performance) …. no Geriatric / Geritol jokes here referencing TSTO’s decline (I’ve lost too many dear people in the last 3 years then the first decade post millennium and there are times when getting old sucks!) 🤫
The weekend is almost upon us, so let’s conclude with some DCD (definitely looking forward to seeing them live again this year) and wish everyone ‘Happy Tapping’ ☺️
https://youtu.be/7OLbnlpHmfE
OK, I give up… which item has the squirrel on a log?When I Google “TSTO squirrel” I get Disapproving Squirrel Marge and Luann’s Squirrel outfit….??
https://simpsonstappedout.fandom.com/wiki/World%27s_Largest_Redwood
Also references Tree Hugger Lisa Character Skin (has Tasks at Largest Redwood) 👍🏻
#thanksgoogle
You can see in the picture…it is the third upgrade of the redwood. If you upgrade beyond that, he goes away.
If you upgrade the redwood to the final stage the squirrel reappears in the tree, sitting on a branch eating a nut. I know because I am watching it right now.
Eating his nuts, lol what a picture🐿️🌰🥜
I’ve just gone to look at mine as well, there also isn’t a fence at the bottom. Not sure why, quite happy to see it without!
Ah, yes, I see that now…. there he is! Neat.
El Quattro!