Christmas Update

The Christmas update (v. 1.3) was introduced on the 20th of November 2015.

The Christmas Update added 2 new Hidden Object Locations to the game - Mine and Winter Yard, as well as added 100 new Quests and 16 new Collections.

The Christmas Update made a number of other changes, most noticeable of which was replacing the Halloween Monsters added by the Halloween Update with a new set of Christmas themed Monsters that are used to give players the new Fixers added by the update as well as being incorporated into the update's timed challenges; changes to the game such as changing what items can be won in some Locations (e.g. Gloomy House); and extra items being added to the Free Gift options in the Gifting System (e.g. Fixers introduced by the update and Candy Cauldron Special Items).

The Update also introduced Timed Challenges to the game for the third time. Players have a limited amount of time to complete 3 special challenges in the game in order to win unique rewards.

The Christmas Timed Challenges - Christmas Adventure
The Christmas timed challenges begin when a player reaches game level 7 in the game (or automatically after downloading the update if the player is already beyond level 7). The Christmas timed event introduced 3 new challenges for players to complete within a set time frame:
 * Reach 'Virtuoso' Rank on the new Hidden Object Location 'Winter Yard' and win a special game Avatar.
 * Complete 30 special challenge quests and assemble the new Savior of Christmas artifact (increases your chances of receiving collection items and increases experience points earned when exploring Locations by 60% for 3 days) to win a once-off talisman, the Christmas Stocking talisman, which increases the rate that energy restores.
 * Collect 150 snowflakes by banishing the new Monsters added by the update, in order to win the Chest of Wonders and have +5 energy added to your maximum energy.

Note: 'Gingerbread Tree' special items are needed in addition to energy points for each play of the Winter Yard Hidden Object Location. For the duration of the challenge, Gingerbread Tree can be won as rewards for winning Hidden Object games in Garden; Hunter's House; Ship, Train Station; Observatory; Marketplace; Clothing Store; Docks; Alley; Clock Tower; Ballroom; Dressing Room; Cafe; Mayor's Office; Mine; Gloomy House; and Shack (i.e. all other Hidden Object Locations in the game, but not any of the Puzzle games).

Gingerbread Trees cannot be given as gifts between Friends or bought in the Store, however they are given as rewards for combining some of the new Collections in the game (namely the Collections needed to combine the Savior of Christmas Artifact that you naturally complete as you complete the 30 special challenge quests.

As usual, you will start out with 10 Gingerbread Trees given to you by the game when the challenge begins, and again there is an introduction by Anna Sherwood to make this obvious to players.

Important: The amount of time available for the Christmas Update's timed challenges is set and the countdown timer began as soon as the update was released in the Apple App Store. Players have been given just over 50 days beginning on the 20th of November 2015. This timer will expire for all players on the January 9th 2016 unless another extension is given. It does not matter when you download the update, this finish date is set. If you download the update on the 22nd of November you will have 48 days to complete the challenge, and if you wait until the 5th of January to download the update you will only have 4 days to complete the challenge. Delaying installing the update will not delay the timer.

Related

 * SN Home
 * Updates
 * Timed Challenges
 * Winter Yard
 * Mine
 * Quests
 * Artifacts
 * Special Items
 * Location Ranks
 * Location Ranks and Potential Costs to Play/Rewards for Winning
 * Collections
 * Puzzles
 * Ballroom
 * Garden
 * Monsters
 * Fixers
 * Friends
 * Gifting Friends