The Simpsons Hit & Run Developer Explain Why We Never Got A Sequel

The Simpsons Hit & Run Developer Explain Why We Never Got A Sequel

As a die-hard fan of The Simpsons and video games from the early 2000s, I can confidently say that The Simpsons: Hit & Run holds a special place in my heart. It’s like finding a golden ticket in a Wonka Bar – an exceptional licensed game that not only captures the spirit of the source material but also offers a unique and enjoyable gaming experience.


The Simpsons: Hit & Run, released in the early 2000s, is considered one of the greatest games ever produced. This action-adventure title was available on platforms such as PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube. For years now, fans have been questioning why there hasn’t been a sequel to this beloved game. Sadly, the explanation isn’t shocking: the publishing company decided against developing further games in the series.

Typically, a game developed based on a popular franchise such as “The Simpsons” would involve paying licensing fees to use character likenesses. However, as stated by Joe McGinn, lead designer of the game, this wasn’t necessary in this case. Gracie Films reportedly offered the publisher a deal for three sequels, which included all rights and voice actors of The Simpsons, at a cost of absolutely nothing, meaning they wouldn’t have to pay for the Simpsons license. This information was shared on a YouTube video by Summoning Salt, as noticed by GamesRadar+.

Despite this incredible deal, the publisher passed on the offer. “Some crazy person at the publisher—we never found out who—said no.” McGinn mentions that the team were all huge fans of the show, and making the game in the show’s Golden Age made their time in development that much more enjoyable.

The Simspons Hit & Run Is Still Beloved All These Years Later

The Simpsons Hit & Run Developer Explain Why We Never Got A Sequel

Additionally, Jeffrey Pidsadny also added his thoughts on the video. He expressed his awe at the fact that people are still enjoying this game after two decades. As the Level Designer of this game, which was his second project, it’s challenging for him to observe its enduring popularity. However, he noted that certain principles used in its design were later applied in creating cities for Midnight Club and Carnage Racing at Rockstar Games.

Fervent supporters have been eagerly awaiting a reboot of their favorite game for quite a while now. With the trend in the industry leaning towards remakes, one can’t help but speculate that it might not be far off. Activision has recently experienced success with the HD remake of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2, yet they have chosen to hold back on further installments in the series. However, Tony Hawk himself promises that the franchise will make a comeback eventually.

The video game “The Simpsons: Hit & Run” draws heavily from the style of “Grand Theft Auto III,” frequently poking fun at the renowned open-world title. This game is among the most acclaimed that are associated with the “The Simpsons” franchise, and it’s only surpassed in popularity by the 1991 arcade version. Notably, after the success of “Hit & Run,” no other major “The Simpsons” video games were released, except for “The Simpsons Game” in 2007, which was published by Electronic Arts.

Originally developed and published by Radical Entertainment and Vivendi Games for “Hit & Run”, these companies are no longer in operation, leaving the possibility of a theoretical remake to be handled by another entity.

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2024-11-25 19:08