EA
Why The Simpsons: Tapped Out servers are shutting down
It’s the end of an era for mobile games, as Electronic Arts has confirmed the shutdown of The Simpsons: Tapped Out after over a decade of service.
The Simpsons: Tapped Out, the free-to-play simulation and management mobile game by Electronic Arts based on the popular franchise created by Matt Groening, has announced the closure of its servers after twelve years of uninterrupted activity since its original release on iOS and Android. On October 31, the title will be removed from app stores, while the definitive shutdown of its servers will be on January 24, 2025, at which moment it won’t be possible to play it anymore.
Why are The Simpsons: Tapped Out servers shutting down?
During its first years - and after a somewhat hectic launch -, The Simpsons: Tapped Out was a great success, although it also received criticism for its business model and the constant microtransactions for many of its elements, such as donuts - the game’s premium currency -, experience boosters or the purchase of premium characters or objects only available with real money.
“The decision to end our twelve-year journey is an emotional one”, says the official announcement on Facebook. “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 own beloved versions of Springfield. It has been a remarkable journey, and we are grateful that we’ve been able to deliver 308 updates, 831 characters and including today’s final farewell 1,463 questlines.” Of course, EA has not given an official reason for the shutdown, although it is most likely that, after so many years, maintaining it is no longer profitable. As compensation, the game will give players 1,300 donuts and a series of short missions to unlock various premium items.
As a farewell, the latest update of the game jokes about its definitive end, involving the player breaking the fourth wall through omnipresent AI. However, the gaming community - very active after all these years - has not received the news willingly, protesting on social networks and sharing their discomfort at this news. And there are not a few who ask for refunds of microtransactions made during all this time, while others ask EA to maintain the possibility of enjoying the Springfield cities built by each user after the closure of servers.
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