Love the game... But it's really not ready for release!
Funny thing is, I rarely have any issues with the game. Any online type game will have server load issues from time to time.
Forum Discussion
- Indeed. "From time to time" is one thing.
If I take just the past week, I've had issues every day - and if you look through the threads here and on at least 1 Facebook page lots of others are having similar problems.
Most of the issues in fairness are probably down to server availability / bandwidth availability.
This would all be fair enough for a totally free game. But when EA are taking real money through in-app purchases, they should be providing the infrastructure to support it.
I work in IT (and with servers and providing services) - and most commercial endeavours (even internally within a company, let alone publicly available) generally work on providing the resources required + a percentage overhead.
This doesn't appear to be happening here. As I say, for a totally free game fair enough. But when you're taking real money you have less of a reason.
Of course, problems occur... And issues may need time in resolving. But really - EA should be responding to support cases. Especially when they promise a response within 24 hours on their own website when you submit a case! - Most of the issues that you've mentioned have been discussed a lot here. :) Some of which have existed for a long time. Most of the time, it comes with any updates that is being released for this game.
With regards to stability, this game was originally taken off the app store because nobody could even go into their game for days on end. They brought the game back because it was so damn popular and it was a money making machine.
Personally, after the thanksgiving update, I was one of the many people who couldn't access their Springfield. My Springfield was inaccessible for a good 2.5 weeks. During this period, there was a fat tony update and I missed it. Nothing I can do about it because though it wasn't my fault, I won't expect EA to just give me fat tony. When I emailed them about the problem, besides the automated response, they got my name wrong. And they didn't just get my name wrong, they decided to give me a boy's name as well. That just drove me up the wall and over it. But still, nothing I could do about it. Until they have a mob going after them, they will sit tight and do what they are doing with no updates.
So around here, it comes as no surprise that they aren't known for their quick response. If you stick around, you'll also realize that there is a lack of moderators here. Therefore, the multiple threads with the same topic.
And the origin login thing. I think you may find this article interesting. I came across it a few days ago. :)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/11/14/ea-origin-accounts-hacked-time-change-your-passwords/
Sorry for the slight rant, I know it's getting old but thought I would share my experience. :) - I've been having terrible server issues this morning. I just got this:
"We are aware some players may have some lost connectivity to the Simpsons Tapped Out mobile game and are unable to play. Our team is currently investigating the issue. We greatly appreciate your patience and are working to get normal access restored as soon as possible." - Been playing since the re-launch and I must have a much better situation than most as whilst I have some minor issues I have managed to play daily without any major issues, although that doesn't change the fact that there are still some issues with the game.
I've got 2 towns on the go, one no donuts purchased an the other some purchased but I am still apprehensive about spending more money as I still worry about being reset :evil:
I hope that as we do have EA representation here on the forum, although not a moderator, they will start to reply the issues back to EA HQ and that they all ger resolved. julesg007 wrote:
Been playing since the re-launch and I must have a much better situation than most as whilst I have some minor issues I have managed to play daily without any major issues, although that doesn't change the fact that there are still some issues with the game.
I've got 2 towns on the go, one no donuts purchased an the other some purchased but I am still apprehensive about spending more money as I still worry about being reset :evil:
I hope that as we do have EA representation here on the forum, although not a moderator, they will start to reply the issues back to EA HQ and that they all ger resolved.
Before this update I would have the occasional disconnect over weekends, but never anything major. This update is another story altogether. I think the developers included too much in one update, with the constant snowfall, detail to snow-covered objects, lights, and reasons for friends to visit again. I am not patient, so I, too, will have a rant moment, but overall, the game's only real shortcoming to me is that it is too darn popular. How can we fault it for the pleasure it gives so many of us addicts?
In 2013, if not sooner, things should get back to normal. Until then, happy gaming! :)- - The game isn't available for hours at a time.
this is your problem
How is this my problem? Rock solid Internet connection working perfectly for absolutely everything else. Indeed I have a solid 100Mbit cable connection, and a solid 20Mbit ADSL connection. Both experience the same issues, as are a fair few other people if you look on here...
- Neighbouring towns cause disconnects from server hours at a time.
again, your problem
Again, as my response above.
- Game seems to be crashing more and more often.
not for most people
Just for me and my friends then? And lots of people here. And lots of people across at least one large FB fan page. Across multiple accounts and devices? But you "know" it's not for most people? I'm talking from personal experience of myself and friends - and what I see online. From what stance do you say "not for most people"?
- Inconsistencies during play - click a thumb/building $ after a task and some characters you can assign another task to right away by tapping them, others force you to collect the XP and cash first. When you have lots of characters doing a 60 minute task at say the Kwik-E-Mart this becomes very frustrating. If it was consistently one way or the other it wouldn't be so annoying.
This is because you have a lot of characters finishing up the same job at the same time. Try spreading them out or build a second kwik e mart
I have two Kwik-E-Marts. All the characters go to the same Kwik-E-Mart every time (generally the second Kwik-E-Mart). You have no way of telling the characters which to use... (Or am I missing something)?
- Sometimes you can tap something and something else is selected / actioned - this has happened across multiple devices so isn't a device issue. Sometimes it's as if the game is trying to "guess" what you might want to do and getting it wrong.
Fingers are too big. Try selecting the base of the object. Objects close together might take some time to select. Just deal with it.
Fingers aren't too big. I've tried lots and lots of different ways of clicking on objects, zooming in, top of objects, bottom of objects, side of objects....
- Sometimes characters can be given jobs to do, you can synchronise them (by going to neighbouring towns and back into your Springfield), see them doing the task - then come back a bit later and they're wandering around jobless without a thumb over them.
What are you even talking about here?
An example: give Lisa the task of making snow angels. You see Lisa making snow angels. Ten minutes later Lisa is wandering around not making snow angels and not doing any other task. No thumb above her, just wandering around.
- Sometimes progress just isn't saved and you can lose a fair bit of work. A "sync" button would help out here.
Happens to every game.
Er how do you mean? I've played plenty of games where this doesn't happen.
- Even when you're playing on one device only you can get told you're playing on multiple devices and progress has been lost.
You are correct but.... your progress IS saved don't worry
Not strictly true, I've jumped back a fair bit on a couple of occasions.
- If you have donuts you get given tasks to collect money. The only function of these tasks is to eat donuts, to try and force you to buy some/more (bit cheeky, if not an actual problem).
Again.. what are you trying to say here???
In this case, it's not a problem. Just EA being a bit cheeky. Why only have a task that only appears when you have donuts and it's only job is to take away your donuts to try and get you to buy more. Feels a bit "bait and switch"? Buy donuts to speed things up, etc but instead we'll just throw in tasks that have no purpose other than eating donuts and wouldn't normally appear... Doesn't seem to appear to affect quest strings...?
- You can get logged out. Sometimes the only way to log back in again is to delete the app from your device and log back in.
Doubtful
No, factful. It's happened to me once where I've had to reinstall and about 6 or 7 times where I've been logged out... Both cases have happened to lots of others over here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Simpsons-Tapped-Out-Un-Official-Guide-to-Tips-Tricks-and-Friends/348820838536756
- My password wasn't working after the one logout on my iPhone. I had to reset it on the Origin website. I had the e-mail confirmation that my password was changed. I logged into the website. All of a sudden I was logged out of the website and the new password no longer worked, I had to change it again.
Not a game problem
No, it's an Origin problem. Nevertheless it's the game the platform is built on, and EA's platform at that. Therefore it's relevant to mention, and something that EA have both responsibility for and control over.
- When you submit a ticket for support on the website, you get promised a response within 24 hours. All you get is an immediate auto responder response. When you phone for an update you get told that phone support isn't offered for the game but the support analyst will put the ticket in the right queue (you mean it wasn't anyway?!). Days more can pass with still no response.
Just like most customer service centers lol
Poor ones maybe, there's lots of good customer service centres too.
If it was all free it'd be one thing - but when you're taking people's hard earned cash you should really be providing a properly working game - and at least responding to support requests.
IT IS FREE... duhhhh
Er... Are you an EA employee? Your responses seem to hint at being so?
The game is free, yes. But you are encouraged to spend real money on it. When you spend real money on it but then are held back from playing a time-based game that encourages a social friend-visiting element with various issues, this means you can't play the game and enjoy the money you've spent.... - LOVED this game. now Im more than disgusted by it.
christiemich wrote:
Get booted from the server or latency issues a lot? ... I would say connect speed and or intermittent connectivity to the remote (ISP)
Nah, I'm not getting latency issues. On my cable connection I'm getting 11ms ping times on SpeedTest.net, 101Mbit down, 9.7Mbit up... On the same connection on PingTest.net I'm getting 12ms ping times, 0% packet loss and 0ms jitter. Fairly solid I'd say.- The only issue I've ever had is crashing if I scroll too fast in friend's cities. I can live with that. What I don't understand is, if someone is so unhappy with the game, why keep playing? There are other things you could be doing.
- Er... Are you an EA employee? Your responses seem to hint at being so?
Haha no, thank god lol
LOL. :-)
Simple solution: don't spend real money if you are worried about something happening to your game. I disagree that you are "encouraged" to buy donuts. How so? There is not a single task in the game that requires you to purchase donuts to advance in the game. All of the donut items are extra, fun items. They do not make or break your game.
Fair point. The game is considered a "Freemium Grinder" though. The way it's setup is to make progression easier if you spend money.
From where I'm standing, if you have a good game or app, I don't ind paying for it. This game started out this way for me. So I've bought donuts to support the game. I had the occasional disconnect initially (and small issues occasionally I can live with) so I had no problem spending money - I wasn't worried to start with. I mean, EA - big company, can be trusted, eh?
Issues have been gradually building though - to the point that the game is no longer playable. Therefore the money I've spent to progress and build my game with has been wasted if I just walk away now.
Imagine buying a DVD then having the store knock on your door a week later and take the DVD away....
Of course, if EA communicated with me within the timeframe they've set for themselves and told me they will then that would be a little better.
I'm a techie. i understand that issues occur. I understand they can take a little time to resolve. A company of EA's size and fortune though should be able to release and operate this game in a better fashion... Or at least talk to their customers about the issues a bit better...
