Freemium, Flintstones, and Family Guy

Regular readers here know of my addiction to Simpsons Tapped Out, but that's not the only freemium game of that type out there, nor is it the only one I'm playing. I'm talking about two other animated series, one an inspiration and the other a frenemy of "The Simpsons," yeah, I'm talking about "The Flintstones" and "Family Guy."

The "Family Guy" game, officially and sarcastically (keeping with the spirit of the show) called Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff. In the plot of the game, the show is cancelled and a battle between Peter Griffin and Ernie the Giant Chicken (never knew he had a name until I looked it up for this post) destroys the town of Quahog. Much like Tapped Out, you are tasked with rebuilding the town.

To its credit, it's easier to get 'stuff' in this game than others, but I actually found myself bored after a while. Sarcasm only works in small doses, it's like spending more than a day at Universal. Later versions have the Star Trek Next Gen characters and actors involved, so maybe a return trip to Quahog might be in order.

The Flintstones hold a bit more power over me as I continue to play that one. Officially called The Flintstones: Bring Back Bedrock, it is just like the other two freemium games, only with the hangings of that cartoon. Bedrock has been destroyed by a meteor shower (a little close for comfort) and Fred and company have to put it back together. Some of it is fun, and some not so fun, I really just want to get Dino. One thing for sure, it's addictive. Either way, I'll still return to my first love, Tapped Out.

Super Simpsons?

Every month or so there's a new mission in the Simpsons Tapped Out freemium game. As far as I'm concerned the regular game is fun all on its own. If they do these special events too often, it can get tiresome, especially if it's complicated like the last few. Keep it simple. Sometimes I just wanna whack snakes, ya know?

The new mission's theme is comic books and superheroes, so you'd think I'd be all in, right? Not quite. I have issues, pun unintended.

There are a lot of superheroes involved in the Simpsons universe, and I'm not talking about the Simpsonizations of real characters. They have their own heroes. There's Radioactive Man and Fallout Boy, Bartman, Duffman, and Pie-Man just off the top of my head. The last two are even in the game, along with Mr. Burns' Fruit Bat Man.

My problem is that the character you want the most - much like Sideshow Bob - they have removed from the game. You can't have/play Radioactive Man, because they've killed him. Where's the fun in that?

I'm enjoying what I can while I can. I'm happy to have Bartman, Fallout Boy, and Spider-Pig, but I also can't wait to get back to the regular game. Or at least simpler missions. Is it snake whacking time yet?

Simpsons Too Smart for the Room?

Folks who are regular readers here know that I love "The Simpsons." I love the game The Simpsons Tapped Out especially, and yes, I've been geeking out watching Every Simpsons Ever on FXX.

In just the last week however, there's been a new game within Simpsons Tapped Out, and I just don't get it. It seems to have a medieval vibe but that's not all. There's nerds, barbarians, seeming Dungeons & Dragons references, and while all that may seem like it's in my roundhouse, the game is completely incomprehensible to me.

Does anyone know how this is played? I think EA just may have jumped the shark by trying too hard and assuming too much…

The Art of Other Springfields

I have talked about The Simpsons Tapped Out numerous times, probably because it's a game I can actually excel at and because I still like it after playing for an extended amount of time. Of course it might have a bit of crack in it like Candy Crush, so who knows?

Anyway, there are folks who do get bored with the constant building and collecting aspect of the game, and need to change things up to keep their attention, defeat boredom, or just for kicks. These folks are making art. Yep, they're making art with the various building blocks in the game, using optical illusions to make them three-dimensional, and other such tricks.

Here are a few examples…

The Dark and Gloomy Halloween World of Springfield

Halloween is over. Well, it's over in most of the world. In Springfield, the world of the Simpsons, and especially the videogame The Simpsons Tapped Out, it's still Halloween, until at least November 7th.

Halloween in Springfield is a little like Snake Whacking Day diversion in that you have extra things to do, or rather distractions to deal with. In this case, we're talking about houses and other places being haunted by fellow players, ghosts to pop, and goblins to stop. There are also a number of bonuses you can get as well.

The problem with this version of the game is how dark and gloomy it is. Literally. There is a fog and mist that covers the screen so it's hard to see stuff. At least it's a little brighter in Krustyland. Let me tell you, as much fun as I'm having with Halloween, I can't wait for clear blue skies again.

It's all fun and games while it lasts. There are some things that I just won't get because I'm not willing to put out the extra cash for the game, but that's life in Springfield...

Now excuse me, I have some ghosts to pop...

Where Have I Been?

Yeah, I've been delinquent over here on The Non-Gamer's Gamer's Blog. It's been at least since June that I've done anything here, and now it's November. I haven't forgotten you, I've just been busy.

I am still playing games. My recent purchase of an iPad Mini has attracted me to a few games that I continue to play. I am still addicted to Simpsons Tapped Out, currently cleaning out ghosts for Halloween, and of course, Candy Crush Saga. I'm also playing Avengers Alliance, a whole lot of Injustice and one or two others. It's notable that I'm spoiled by the iPad, and no longer play any of these on my tiny iPhone.

Right now however, it's November, and November is NaNoWriMo, so I will be very busy. So I just wanted to check in, and I'll see you in December.

The Simpsons Tap Back!

The new update for The Simpsons Tapped Out opens up the waterfront for the summer, giving dozens of new options for new characters, new buildings, and new gameplay.

Take that, Candy Crush. Wait, what's Candy Crush?

Different day, different addiction.

Candy Crush Wants My Soul

Some of you may have wondered where I've been.

 It is a sordid tale of woe and degradation.

 Let me just sum it up by saying that yes, you can play Candy Crush Saga until your eyes bleed. Yes, that is a thing.



Above, "Candy Crush Saga Is Evil," as seen and talked about on the GAR! Podcast.

Candy Crush Saga is a deceptively easy and evil game, a cross between Tetris and Bejeweled Blitz, only with candy, it goes from fun to compulsive pretty quickly. You go from shushing from friends, "Shhh, playing game now." to getting the shakes while waiting to play again in a snap of the fingers.

In just one short week, I went from playing harmlessly and cheerfully to full on screaming obsession. Now, here in rehab, I have the time to think, reflect and write, free of the fascist little candies and their lascivious lure.

At least Candy Crush broke me of my Simpsons Tapped Out addiction. But then again, I think meth heads probably have the same thought about their former coke habits.

Even now as I write this I can see the candies in my head calling me back. Candy Crush is more than a game, it's an addiction, it's a religion... Candy Crush wants my soul...

The Simpsons - Still Tapping

I talked about this one before, The Simpsons Tapped Out. Well, I'm still playing it on my phone. A lot of the folks who were playing when I started have stopped or just faded away, but really I continue to enjoy it.

I have tried other games of its ilk. A few Sims things, Megapolis, stuff like that. But it's just not the same, and I don't like them, so keep your Farmville requests away from me please. It's the familiarity of the characters and the situations that appeals to me. So with that logic, I have to wonder why DC Comics with their amazing fictional cities or Marvel Comics with their fantastic Marvel Universe New York City haven't jumped on the bandwagon. I would be all over either of those two games.

There is one thing I do wonder about however. Where do folks get all the donuts from? Donuts are the currency in this game, and you get one or two per level (currently 27 is the highest level), or you can buy them outright. When a new building is available I see folks who get it immediately, no matter if it's only costs a handful of donuts or hundreds of donuts. Do people really buy that much for one of these games? That's a serious cash put out…

New updates happen all the time, some relating to holidays, or upcoming episodes, or even very Simpsons-centric things like Whacking Day, currently going on. If you want to add me to your Other Springfields, you can find me at monsura2 or if you want, help The Bride out at glenifer. We'll both still be tapping away.

Cartoon Crack

I blame Andy Burns, he's the one who did this. I am addicted to The Simpsons Tapped Out.

Andy is a great guy, a terrific friend, and the editor-in-chief of the coolest pop culture website around, Biff Bam Pop!. Yes, I'm biased, I'm affiliated with the site, and it's a shameless plug, but facts are facts, I only work with the best.

Anyway, Andy and I talk quite a bit across the internet. Friends, family, news, pop culture, anything that's on our minds are the topics of conversation. We don't always agree but I think we know what we each like. Andy has given me some great music recommendations and I've hipped him to some comics I've thought were cool.

Then he suggested I should be playing The Simpsons Tapped Out.

The game is one of a kind I dislike quite a bit. Like those annoying Mafia Wars and FarmVille games that I hate so much on The Facebook, it is a social media engine, not unlike a pyramid scheme, that requires the player to induct others into the game to rise in level.

I didn't want it, but somehow I got sucked in. And I'm loving it. I'm having a lot of fun. The premise that Homer has destroyed Springfield, and now you have to rebuild it piece by piece. Building of course requires money, or donuts. If you don't have enough donuts you may end up using real cash to buy more. That's how this iPhone app makes money, you gotta buy the donuts.

You can't wait until you have enough to build various landmarks and characters from the TV show, and that's part of the charm. I mean, who doesn't love "The Simpsons"? Especially after a quarter century on the air, it would be un-American not to love it.

Now I can't wait to get my Android's Dungeon built, and I need a Bart... Join the addiction. I'm glenn415, please friend me. Andy, this is all your fault.

"One of us... One of us... One of us..."