Arts (EA) has announced that The Simpsons: Tapped Out will be discontinued in 2025, ending its 12-year run. The decision was communicated to users via an in-app notification, stating that the game will no longer be playable after January 24, 2025, with in-app purchases already disabled. The game will also be removed from the App Store and Google Play Store on October 31, 2024.
In a statement shared on social media, EA expressed that the decision to sunset the game was “an emotional one.” The company said, “Together with our partners at The Simpsons and The Walt Disney Company, we have delighted in bringing this game to you… It has been a remarkable journey.” EA highlighted that the game featured 308 updates, 831 characters, and 1,463 questlines, and thanked players for their support throughout the years.
Released in 2012, The Simpsons: Tapped Out allowed players to create their own version of Springfield using familiar characters and buildings from the show. The freemium game offered regular updates tied to show storylines and holiday-themed episodes. Although the game’s in-app purchases have been disabled, players can now earn donuts using in-game currency to access premium features until the game’s shutdown.
The game’s freemium model was previously criticized in a 2014 episode of South Park titled “Freemium Isn’t Free,” which called out the practice of offering games for free but requiring real money for full features.
