so.. are any xmas prizes not complete junk?

The bottom line on TSTO in general: It's a fun game or I wouldn't be playing it. But there's no question that the earlier you started playing it, the better deal you got. Better prizes, more prizes, and more of it was free. As time went on and they developed a strong base of players, EA felt confident they could get more stingy with prizes and charge money for more and more items without killing off the game. It's business and economics.

That said, I think they could get a bit more creative with the prizes offered. More small in-game cash decorations as part of the Christmas event wouldn't kill their profits, or offering unique items as daily prizes rather than recycled old items.

When did this become a Quest for Stuff thread? There's a thread devoted to that game in Off Topic, guys, this forum should be mainly about Tapped Out. (Even if it's about not being entirely satisfied with Tapped Out.)

Igcognita wrote:
I guess it comes down to prizes vs mechanics. Yes maybe the game play is better to some this year, but by far the event prizes, decorations and storyline was better last year. As I've said before, I judge an event by the prizes I still have and enjoy once the event is over. The boxes and the wheel were never a big deal to me, because the prizes were worth it. Now yes the gameplay is easy, but the prizes are not as good. Seems the trade off is Small Risk - Small Reward.

Agreed, the game play is much better, and the prizes are super meh so far as compared to last year.
As for newish players complaining about getting light skins for the houses, that's the first thing everyone got. In 2012, we bought them with event currency, in 2013 I believe they were the first prizes on the wheel for those who didn't already have them. Why should it be any different now? If the lights weren't available as prizes, more players would be upset at missing out on them - I've seen people bring them up on here year round. Just because they're return items doesn't mean they should be available for purchase.

I don't mind getting the lights as prizes. It's a little disappointing that some of the prize lights aren't available for the new players.

Still, overall I'm happy so far. The prizes aren't amazingly wonderful, and they're a little NPC heavy (again), but I'm enjoying the event.

panopticnic wrote:

neuroheart wrote:
When did this become a Quest for Stuff thread? There's a thread devoted to that game in Off Topic, guys, this forum should be mainly about Tapped Out. (Even if it's about not being entirely satisfied with Tapped Out.)

Sometimes it's gonna come up. They are similar games. I don't know why people get so bent out of shape about it geez. This thread is about tapped out. Someone said that EA should take a lesson from FG and several players said that would be way off base. Geez people act like it's a bad word.

Occasional comparisons are fine. In-depth discussion of QfS game mechanics belongs in off topic.

I think today's prize is lights for Crazy Cat Lady's House. I mean, that's OK because it's a new item for everyone. I can appreciate that.

ephphoneapps wrote:
I think today's prize is lights for Crazy Cat Lady's House. I mean, that's OK because it's a new item for everyone. I can appreciate that.

I just got today's prize. I don't think Crazy Cat Lady has any electricity this winter as there are no lights. It is at least something totally new though so there has been a bit of thought and effort put into it. A bit. It's the thought that counts. :wink:

letsridebikes wrote:

As for newish players complaining about getting light skins for the houses, that's the first thing everyone got. In 2012, we bought them with event currency, in 2013 I believe they were the first prizes on the wheel for those who didn't already have them. Why should it be any different now? If the lights weren't available as prizes, more players would be upset at missing out on them - I've seen people bring them up on here year round. Just because they're return items doesn't mean they should be available for purchase.

I'm a newish player (started Easter this year, so this is my first TSTO Christmas), and I agree with you.
I've been happy to have got the light skins as prizes. I've seen them in other players' towns, and wondered when/if I could get them too. I've enjoyed seeing my Springfield become gradually more decorated as I get each skin. I have the different colours of houses mixed together, so the effect of the gradual decoration has been nice.
Return items should be available as prizes, not as premium purchases - imagine how discouraging it would be to start playing the game, see all this cool stuff in other players' towns and know that the only possible way you could ever get all these things (that other players didn't have to pay for) would be with real money.

Igcognita wrote:

letsridebikes wrote:

Igcognita wrote:
I guess it comes down to prizes vs mechanics. Yes maybe the game play is better to some this year, but by far the event prizes, decorations and storyline was better last year. As I've said before, I judge an event by the prizes I still have and enjoy once the event is over. The boxes and the wheel were never a big deal to me, because the prizes were worth it. Now yes the gameplay is easy, but the prizes are not as good. Seems the trade off is Small Risk - Small Reward.

Agreed, the game play is much better, and the prizes are super meh so far as compared to last year.
As for newish players complaining about getting light skins for the houses, that's the first thing everyone got. In 2012, we bought them with event currency, in 2013 I believe they were the first prizes on the wheel for those who didn't already have them. Why should it be any different now? If the lights weren't available as prizes, more players would be upset at missing out on them - I've seen people bring them up on here year round. Just because they're return items doesn't mean they should be available for purchase.

I agree! I never had an issue with lights being a prize, I also like that they offered alternative prizes for returning players. I just have and issue with, not enough new Xmas decorations for the town, would have been nice if they added new decorations to the trees and brushes, maybe Squidport could have had some decos added also. Just to keep it fresh. And a few more Buildings and main Characters, like with other events. Added Helen and Jessica Lovejoy or the Muderhorn or even some of those old speculated items. Some of the things are good, it just seems like the Big things are missing. Yes I've checked the Wikisimpsons.

Yep. I think I've seen you say that we need more new decorations in general, and I whole-heartedly agree with that as well as this.
Too bad it's too late for them to give us any surprise big stuff in this event. Maybe they'll do more in whatever big spring event we get this year (I don't ever expect much from Valentine's or Saint Patty's).

22steelpaw wrote:

letsridebikes wrote:

As for newish players complaining about getting light skins for the houses, that's the first thing everyone got. In 2012, we bought them with event currency, in 2013 I believe they were the first prizes on the wheel for those who didn't already have them. Why should it be any different now? If the lights weren't available as prizes, more players would be upset at missing out on them - I've seen people bring them up on here year round. Just because they're return items doesn't mean they should be available for purchase.

I'm a newish player (started Easter this year, so this is my first TSTO Christmas), and I agree with you.
I've been happy to have got the light skins as prizes. I've seen them in other players' towns, and wondered when/if I could get them too. I've enjoyed seeing my Springfield become gradually more decorated as I get each skin. I have the different colours of houses mixed together, so the effect of the gradual decoration has been nice.
Return items should be available as prizes, not as premium purchases - imagine how discouraging it would be to start playing the game, see all this cool stuff in other players' towns and know that the only possible way you could ever get all these things (that other players didn't have to pay for) would be with real money.

Good point! I'm sure some players would dive in and pay for everything, but that does seem like it would be wildly unfair to most players, and definitely wouldn't encourage game play like winning prizes does.