There are a few facts that all fans of The Simpsons are aware of: 1) The Simpsons isn’t as funny as it was, 2) Chief Wiggum is easily the funniest character and 3) All videogames based on The Simpsons are always complete cack.
Simpsons Wrestling, Simpsons Skateboarding, The Simpsons Hit And Run, The Simpsons Cartoon Studio, Bart Simpson’s Escape From Camp Deadly… every time a new Simpsons videogame is announced, fans all around the world brace themselves for a mighty disappointment.
But that could change in the future – Twentieth Century Fox Television and Gracie Films yesterday announced a long-term deal with EA to produce multiple next-gen console videogames based on The Simpsons.
The Simpsons (DVDs) is the world’s longest-running cartoon series, and one
of the world’s biggest merchandising cash-cows. In the 17 years since
The Simpsons began, fans have been able to snap up Simpsons-branded
DVDs, albums, posters, clocks, clothes, glassware, stationary… the
list goes on. But nothing has disappointed fans quite as much as
Simpsons videogames.
The Simpsons videogames have always been incredibly lacklustre – as
if the developers knew that people would buy the games because Apu was
in it, rather than any kind of quality or gameplay. So hopefully the
deal that Electronic Arts (EA) has signed with the makers of The
Simpsons will change this.
Although no financial details were given about the deal, it will mean that producers and writers of The Simpsons will be closely involved in creating original game content. The EA Simpsons games will also feature vocal contributions from The Simpsons cast. It’s expected that the EA Simpsons games will be released across next-gen formats.
Nick Earl, vice president and general manager of EA’s Redwood Shores Studio said in a statement:
"This is a great opportunity for our talented development team to collaborate with the brilliant minds of The Simpsons to bring original Simpsons material to videogame fans. This is something EA’s been interested in for years and now game development and technology is at a place where The Simpsons characters and world will really come alive in these games."
Meanwhile, James L. Brooks, executive producer of The Simpsons, said:
"I think this is a great opportunity for us, primarily because it brings with it the possibility of free EA games."
Electronic Arts seems to be taking to the next-gen consoles with an endearing amount of zeal. Steven Spielberg has also been roped in to produce three original next-gen titles for the company. So maybe there’s hope for The Simpsons videogames.
But then again, EA is the company that thinks pumping out 17 slightly different versions of FIFA Soccer is a fair and ethical way of doing business. So we’ll see.
Read more:
D’oh! The Simpsons Got Game – E! Online
[story by Stuart Heritage]
Mikey says
I actually like Bart Vs. The Space Mutants for NES, which isn’t mentioned here.
Luke B says
everyone knows that wiggum is the funniest character? maybe, but i think you are forgetting about homer. perhaps because he is so cliche now. but if you switched the roles that wiggum and homer have, the show wouldn’t have made it past the first season. people love homer, hes hilarious. wiggum is funny only because he is in small doses. just my 2 cents.
madeofsquares says
Wiggum is funnier. But the comic shop owner is pretty funny too.
I am, however, getting relly bored of the simpsons. it was tiring watching the same old episodes again and again on bbc2. now c4 are doing the same thing!? even the friday night ‘new’ one i saw a couple of weeks ago i’d seen before.
go go family guy..