Is the Halloween update destined to be a huge disappointment?

Only compromise that could be possible is letting players buy old buildings for donuts at OTT prices.

Old items have already been re-released (Fat Tony, Sir Putt-A-Lot's) and apparently Kang is on his way so why not? As long as they make them limited time, it's like you only get them if you play on Halloween which is fair enough. Plus another point which I'm sure has been mentioned many times is that Android users were unable to play last year because the game didn't exist for it then. Anyway, everyone thought the Whacking Day buildings were gonna be limited time then what did they do? Made 'em permanent and started charging donuts for them. So a lot of these points that people are making about LT buildings are moot.

JoshSherer wrote:
Why can't we have the same argument over and over if it is within the ToU?

Because it was a limited-time argument, and some people are dumb enough to think that means one-time only?

RockStrongoh wrote:
I don't understand why people are so against it.

Apple drones have a desperate need to think they are special.

I can also provide a reason why they haven't released all the content. A number of the limited items were dropped into the inventory directly and not purchased (Cool Brown House, Duff Racer, etc). So it would be more than just un-commenting out the code. First they would have to make the item purchasable with a currency. So it would be re-writing the code. Also, since this content is more bug-free for those of us that have the item, the possible update to the code may break or cause issues to those of us who do have the item. -As pointed out, it is likely those of us long time players that are also doughnut purchasers - which issues/bugs can or turn these players off from playing and making new purchases.

There is limited content that was purchasable with in game cash would be a lot easier to bring back as that would just be un-commenting out the code. But since they are bringing it back they would want to charge doughnuts and the cash related purchases could see the same issue above with the currency switch.

Finally, there are the limited content that was already purchasable with doughnuts. This should be a real switch and easiest to bring back. The only issue I can see here is them wanting to increase the cost of the item, which really shouldn't affect or cause bugs, perhaps they are too lazy to update it? Perhaps they fear backlash for charging more? Perhaps they do like to see players with the content and others not having access to it. I really have nothing to offer, since I know nothing of EA's practice or knowledge of the game.

stile99 wrote:

JoshSherer wrote:
Why can't we have the same argument over and over if it is within the ToU?

Because it was a limited-time argument, and some people are dumb enough to think that means one-time only?

Well played.

Two points I want to address that I see people saying a lot:

1. No one on my side is claiming that EA will bring the items back. We're claiming that "limited time only", does not, by the very definition of wording, mean "one time only". It's only the other side who is making a statement about what EA intends to do. Whether the limited time items ever return or not, that phrase will still NEVER mean "one time only".

2. My side argues that from a business standpoint EA would be dumb not to bring the items back. And this is correct as the new people will pay for them. Some from the opposing side argues that it would be a bad business move since no one will rush to buy limited time items if they believe they will return. This is false. People are still going to rush to buy them for 2 reasons: (1) They want them now, not in a year from now, and (2) They are not going to risk missing out of them on the CHANCE that it does return. EA never stated limited time content will always come back. With that being the case, people are not going to take the gamble.


Now, if someone wants to present a GOOD reason why they should stay gone (being immature about being exclusive or claiming that EA cannot come up with an inventive way to bring episode tie-ins back are not good reasons). Good reasons for bringing them are extra money for EA (which in turn leads to a longer game for us), it's not fair to screw over new people, there is almost no additional work or coding to make items accessible that have already been designed and implemented, etc.

To break it down even more simply, we have 2 of 3 identical words: "time" and "only". The only different is "limited" and "one". Can you show me a dictionary where "limited" means "one"? Again, no one on my side is saying limited items will return, but we're certainly saying that limited =\= one. If you feel I'm wrong, provide a dictionary that proves it.

JoshSherer wrote:
Now, if someone wants to present a GOOD reason why they should stay gone . Good reasons for bringing them are extra money for EA (which in turn leads to a longer game for us), it's not fair to screw over new people, there is almost no additional work or coding to make items accessible that have already been designed and implemented, etc.

I presented a reason. The limited items vary between 3 levels. Free (no currency), in-game cash, and donuts. The first 2 would require code changes to make them purchasable with donuts. There is code work since items are likely assigned to a "type" meaning free, purchasable, or premium purchasable (donuts). So it would be re-working the code on some/many of the items as they would need to be changed. When code changes, things break. When things break, they get more in flux of tickets with issues. So in turn by updating the code, they are liable for new issues, and creating additional problems for their support. You see many with how EA doesn't respond for weeks, especially on critical issues like the harps of death, lockouts, etc. This could blow up even more. More people that may drop the game entirely. This would be likely affect those of us that have the items, more than the ones purchasing the items.

They do have the option of just re-enabling them, and it would just be dumped into the inventory, or able for in-game cash - but then this doesn't make them money. This would only please players that missed it, and there's those that would be upset/mad that they are available again.

(I don't personally care if everyone has them or not, I'm just providing a reason as a counter-argument)

I can see them bringing back the stuff that Android users weren't able to get as EA hadn't developed the game yet, but in the same sense if they bring it all back whether it is for cash or donuts it doesn't matter.

At the end of the day if they bring it back, they will make more money. They don't have to develop anything, just re-release the content and they will make more money from donut purchases plain and simple

We all know EA loves money, so just release all the missed content in stages lol