After over a decade of letting players create their version of Springfield, The Simpsons: Tapped Out is officially winding down. Electronic Arts (EA) recently announced that the mobile city-building game, which debuted in 2012, will be removed from app stores on October 31, 2024, and servers will shut down entirely on January 24, 2025.
In an in-app notice, EA confirmed that in-app purchases for Tapped Out have been disabled, and no new downloads will be available after October 2024. The pop-up notification read: “Sadly, in-app purchases have been disabled, and the game will no longer be available from the App Store after October 31, 2024. You may continue playing until January 24, 2025. Then the game will no longer be accessible. We bid you adieu. Until we meet again…”
EA also took to social media to share the emotional decision with the game’s fanbase. In a heartfelt Facebook post, EA said: “We have made the difficult decision to sunset Tapped Out. In-app purchases have been disabled, and the game will be removed from app stores on October 31, 2024. You may continue playing until January 24th, 2025, when servers will be turned off.”
Looking Back At the Journey of The Simpsons: Tapped Out
The Simpsons: Tapped Out launched on iOS in 2012, followed by Android in 2013. It gave fans the unique ability to build their version of Springfield by adding buildings, businesses, and characters from The Simpsons universe. The game was frequently updated with seasonal content and storylines pulled directly from the show, making it a living extension of the long-running animated series.
For example, Throughout its lifespan, Tapped Out was constantly updated with new content. EA delivered 308 updates, including 831 characters and 1,463 questlines. Events tied to holidays, episodes, or The Simpsons’ long-running “Treehouse of Horror” Halloween specials were fan favourites. Players could unlock limited-time buildings, characters, and skins tied to these events, making it a staple for long-term engagement.
However, while fans enjoyed regular updates and the ability to unlock new content, the game’s freemium model wasn’t without its critics. Users could make in-app purchases to buy donuts, a virtual currency that helped speed up tasks and unlock premium items. The game was even lampooned by South Park in the 2014 episode “Freemium Isn’t Free,” which criticized the practice of offering free-to-play games with significant in-app purchases.
Despite this criticism, Tapped Out proved immensely popular. By 2014, it had generated over $130 million in revenue for EA, a testament to the game’s broad appeal. However, as the gaming landscape evolved, the popularity of freemium games like Tapped Out may have waned, leading to EA’s decision to sunset the title.
The Simpsons: Tapped Out Shutdown and Players Reaction
The announcement of Tapped Out’s end has come as a surprise to many longtime players. Just last month, EA rolled out a new update, “A Bart Future,” which ran through mid-September, sparking confusion on why the game is ending now. Some fans expressed disappointment, especially those who recently purchased donuts or were eagerly awaiting the annual Halloween update, a tradition in both the show and the game.
Although EA has clearly stated that the game will no longer be playable after January 2025, fans still wonder if Tapped Out will ever return in another form. For now, EA has not indicated that the game will be available offline, nor have they explained the shutdown timing.
Reflecting on the game’s 12-year run, EA expressed gratitude toward the fanbase, acknowledging the emotional difficulty in ending the game. “Together with our partners at The Simpsons™ and The Walt Disney Company, we have delighted in bringing this game to you, the fans, and seeing how you’ve each built your beloved versions of Springfield. As our journey ends, we offer our sincerest thanks to you, the players, who have made this all possible.”
Parting Notes
As The Simpsons: Tapped Out closes its doors, fans are encouraged to enjoy their final months with the game. Whether revisiting classic questlines, completing unfinished tasks, or simply admiring their custom-built Springfield, players have until January 24, 2025, to say their goodbyes to this beloved game.
Make the most of these final months to relive the nostalgia and celebrate one of the longest-running mobile games in history.
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