Tapped Out is out of the Top 20 Grossing Apps on the App Store!
Just make the chance based items also purchasable with donuts. Then you can decide if you want to only spend a couple of donuts for a small chance at winning, or spend a larger yet specifically defined amount to get it "fo' sho'."
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TSTO's needle in the chart moves in line with the release of new content/events ( I recall TSTO was back in the top 10 during Easter).
It has fallen as far back as the 50s during a long lapse in content release.
#22 is suggesting that it is still a popular game but there is not an immediate need by its players to buy donuts. It will move back up the charts at the next release.
What is disturbing about the charts trend is that the highs are not as high (2 years ago a constant top 3 app) and the lows are more consistent. This shows the game is running out of gas as it is having trouble bringing in new customers. I think the game has 2 more years (maybe much less) before it has run out of steam and is pulled from rotation. But a 4-5 year run for any game is a fantastic success.
I can see why its finally dropping some places, the game has been at the top for over 2 years and eventually the game will earn a lot less. They'll need to do some amazing updates to make the game fresh again, even considering giving all characters new tasks.
I'm right there with ya!
The 2 weeks of lag and issues probably hampered sales.
The Easter even ticked a lot of people off. those that bought tons of eggs and got nothing in return
and last but not least... the lack of decent content and rising cost of premium items.
EA: "hmm, players are not spending as much money on the game, so we'll just spend less money/resources on it..."
A month later, less new, cool content released, so players continue to spend less and less...
EA: "hmm they're spending less, so we'll continue to cut the game's development budget..."
Repeat repeat, until they just end it.
OBVIOUSLY, what EA's response should've been from the moment sales started slipping was to try to add more cool stuff to the game to give players real incentive to keep playing and spend money on the app (OR they could've tried to address the root of the issue with the Easter event, which was people weren't spending money on eggs for a CHANCE to win, people want to spend money on a sure thing). Instead EA seems to be putting less effort in, and that is perpetuating this downward trend.
Also, they do seem to be giving out a lot more donuts lately, like those obtained from visiting friends towns. And lots of players seem to be getting "free" donuts using the amazon kindle method (although I'm not sure if using the amazon coins towards a purchase still counts towards the games bottom line?). Anyway, obviously if they're just GIVING donuts away, there is a lot less incentive for us to spend real money on them. Of course I like getting free donuts, but not if it means the end of the whole game (what good are donuts then?).
Hmm.... Has Bart ever owned a bear?
I disagree with this part, the people who spend forever saving up their free donuts to buy things are probably the same people who have no intention of spending real money on this game anyway (like me!)
Those who usually do buy donuts would probably keep doing so anyway because if they wanted something badly enough I doubt they'd bother waiting to save up for it when they're used to buying things immediately. (Unless they're former premium players who turned freemium after the Easter disaster of course! :P )
I think the problem is a mixture of ppl being **** and not wanting to buy donuts anymore, and the fact that the stuff EA are releasing is so rubbish that people aren't that bothered about spending money on it! (Like a horse shed and a character who's not even in the show!)
Well, as I stated in my post above, there are several contributing factors. An increase in free donuts is only part of the issue, obviously, as I stated myself, a lack of interesting things to spend them on is another factor.
Also, I happen to be a "mostly, but not completely" freemium player. And I am one of the people who is inclined to spend less real money when donuts keep popping up for free. I doubt I'm the only one in that category.
I have received about 90 free donuts in the last two months. That's quite a lot; enough for SVT and Bumblebee man (or however you want to split it up). I was never a completionist (I don't know how many players are?), I only buy what I want in my town. The only $10 I've spent on this game in the 10 months I've played it were so I could get the rich Texan and jasper, two characters I really wanted. And, if I continue to get an average of 40+ free donuts per month, I am perfectly happy to not spend money and instead very carefully and thoughtfully spend those precious free donuts the game bestows upon me. I remember that, after leveling up to the highest level, donuts were rather hard to come by (sure I'd get the ones for XP, but even then I'd only be getting 6-9 per month). I am VERY grateful and happy to be receiving free donuts now, but again, not at the expense of the game.... I might be willing to send another $10 EA's way sometime soon if it felt like my money might make a difference in whether the game improves and continues or not, but I know that only ten bucks won't matter to them, especially if all the other players in my situation are happy enough not to spend money themselves. (I'd consider spending more but I work 50 hours a week and am still completely broke in general so that's about all my budget would allow).
I think EA should release more FP prizes. Then obviously fewer donuts would be being given away, but more importantly, players would be happy to have new content. And of course, the prizes need to be something that players actually WANT. That's kind of a key issue, because I agree that that stupid unfinished shed was total *