{"id":2032615,"date":"2026-07-07T14:15:52","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T11:15:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2032615"},"modified":"2026-07-07T14:15:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T11:15:52","slug":"the-simpsons-silly-subversive-video-game-legacy-isnt-done-yet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2032615","title":{"rendered":"The Simpsons\u2019 silly, subversive video game legacy isn\u2019t done yet"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The-Simpsons-2024.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2947849\" class=\"post-2947849 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>Features<\/span><span>Gaming Features<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">The Simpsons\u2019 silly, subversive video game legacy isn\u2019t done yet<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>New collabs with &#8216;Monopoly Go!&#8217; and &#8216;Fortnite&#8217; are the logical follow-up to classics &#8216;Hit &amp; Run&#8217; and &#8216;The Simpsons Game&#8217; says showrunner Matt Selman<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Ali Shutler<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-07T15:15:52+01:00\">7th July 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The-Simpsons-2024-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"The Simpsons Tapped Out\" title=\"The Simpsons 2024\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">&#8216;The Simpsons&#8217; season 31. CREDIT: Disney<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_82\" class=\"tdc-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_83  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p><strong class=\"dropcap big-read-dropcap\"><em>T<\/em><\/strong><em>he Simpsons<\/em>\u2019 team isn\u2019t content with their 36-year run of television dominance. They want more. This summer, a string of Disney+ exclusive shorts will see them take over streaming with the help of Laufey, Tegan &amp; Sara and a Black Mirror parody while a sequel to the record-breaking 2007 movie is heading to cinemas next September.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re also looking to reclaim ground in the world of video games after a decade without a new release. Last year\u2019s collaboration with online shooter <em>Fortnite<\/em> saw more than 80million people racking up 780million hours of playtime in just 30 days and last month, <em>The Simpsons<\/em> arrived in <em>Monopoly Go!<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE: Laufey on her unexpected \u2018Fortnite\u2019 collab, Coachella and the joy of proving people wrong<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>More than 10million people log into the free-to-play mobile title every day where the goal, just like in the classic board game, is to earn as much money as possible. This handheld take on <em>Monopoly<\/em> features limited-time events, quirky mini-games and the chance to plunder your friends\u2019 wallet. Is there a better match than a show about family conflict and a game which has caused plenty?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI didn\u2019t know that I was a competitive person until I played this,\u201d says Matt Selman, <em>The Simpsons<\/em> writer and co-showrunner.<\/p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MONOPOLY GO! | The Simpsons: Welcome to MONOPOLY D\u2019OH\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7fHZxi_sCzI?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<p>Building on the foundations of <em>Monopoly Go!<\/em>, the goal for crossover was to offer something \u201cfunny and subversive\u201d for both the typical <em>Go!<\/em> player as well as Simpsons nerds. \u201cSome people have a very casual relationship with the show, some people watch every single episode. We have fans that are six years old. Others have been watching for nearly 40 years,\u201d says Selman, describing <em>The Simpsons<\/em> as a coat of yellow paint around the world. \u201cIt\u2019s like The Golden Gate Bridge though, you never stop repainting it,\u201d he continues. \u201cWe\u2019re helping <em>Monopoly Go!<\/em> seem silly and Simpsons-y. They\u2019re reminding people that the show is still on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It was the same with last year\u2019s <em>Fortnite<\/em> event, which ended up being so popular that the blockbuster game. \u201cEvery time we break a giant server farm\u2019s computing technology, I take that as a sign of success.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\">\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3927899\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3927899\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3927899\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Fortnite-Simpsons.jpg\" alt=\"The Simpsons x &apos;Fortnite&apos;.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3927899\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Simpsons x \u2018Fortnite\u2019. CREDIT: Epic Games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Of course, <em>Fortnite<\/em> and <em>Monopoly Go!<\/em> aren\u2019t the first time <em>The Simpsons<\/em> have gatecrashed the world of video games. As well as the beloved season seven episode \u2018Marge Be Not Proud\u2019 (which sees Bart get caught shoplifting ultra-violent fighting game <em>Bonestorm<\/em>), the \u201890s were full of brilliant, bizarre <em>Simpsons<\/em> games. Three different 2D side-scrolling platforming games featuring Bart were released in 1991 and another four followed the next year. <em>Gladiators<\/em> parody <em>Bart Vs. The Juggernauts<\/em> and <em>Bart Vs. The Space Mutants<\/em>, which saw the pre-teen tearaway out to save the world from an alien invasion, were among the best.<\/p>\n<p>The early noughties were just as busy with <em>The Simpsons Wrestling<\/em>, <em>Crazy Taxi<\/em> rip-off <em>Road Rage<\/em> and cult classic <em>Hit &amp; Run<\/em> launching between 2001 and 2003. \u201c<em>Hit &amp; Run<\/em> was our version of <em>Grand Theft Auto 3<\/em>, which had just come out. But it went on to become something so much more,\u201d says Selman. \u201cIt still has a huge, powerful fanbase. I love that game but I don\u2019t know why it became such a thing.\u201d For more than a decade, there have been constant rumours about a remake or a sequel. Is it happening? \u201cI want you to quote me on this,\u201d says Selman. \u201cLong sigh. I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3546189\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3546189\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3546189\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/simpsons-hit-and-run-remake-1677768262562.jpg\" alt=\"The Simpsons Hit &amp; Run (Credit: Radical Entertainment)\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3546189\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Simpsons Hit &amp; Run (Credit: Radical Entertainment)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p><em>The Simpsons Game<\/em> came in 2007, playfully mocking the entire video game industry with Homer, Marge and the rest of the family out to save their 8-bit selves from EA boss Will Wright and <em>The Simpsons<\/em> creator Matt Groening. \u201cThe gameplay is ok but that story is really funny,\u201d says Selman, who helped write it. \u201cIt was a satire about how games are continually evolving and becoming obsolete. At the end of it, Matt Groening throws money at you. He wasn\u2019t thrilled, but he did laugh about it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s the job of <em>The Simpsons<\/em> to satirise the trends of the world,\u201d says Selman, so in 2012, they launched mobile game <em>Tapped Out<\/em>. It was designed as a quick knock-off of the popular <em>Smurf\u2019s Village<\/em> farm game but thanks to the strength of the writing, it went on to earn more than $100million in its first 18 months. \u201cIt was meant to be a parody of this thing, but it went on to become a billion times more popular. I wrote a great speech for the game about how \u2018the ultimate freemium slash premium currency is your time on this planet, so think about how you spend it wisely.\u2019 I stand by that statement.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But after ten years of constant updates, the game was closed down last year despite a passionate playerbase still logging on every day. \u201cThere was so much great writing in <em>Tapped Out<\/em> and I don\u2019t even know if that exists anywhere,\u201d says Selman. \u201cI would love to see it brought back in some fashion but I don\u2019t know how. It\u2019s another \u2018long sigh, I don\u2019t know\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3955486\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3955486\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3955486\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Simpsons-Monopoly-Go.jpg\" alt=\"The Simpsons video game\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3955486\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u2018The Simpsons\u2019 x \u2018Monopoly Go!\u2019 CREDIT: Scopely<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He sees the collaborations with <em>Fortnite<\/em> and <em>Monopoly Go!<\/em> as the next generation of <em>The Simpsons<\/em> games, rather than a way to gauge demand ahead of an original title. \u201cThe whole video game industry seems like it\u2019s in trouble at the moment, so to spend three years trying to do a console [<em>Simpsons<\/em>] game and then finding out that was a bad idea, no one wants to do that,\u201d he explains. \u201cI like it when someone else does most of the work like [<em>Monopoly Go!<\/em> creators] Scopely, so if anyone\u2019s interested\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s important that they\u2019re never phoning it in though. \u201cWe\u2019re one of the most-streamed shows on Disney+, and we want to keep it that way,\u201d says Selman. A new generation discovered the loveable goofballs of Springfield when the show arrived on the streamer in 2019 and these gaming collabs continue to \u201ccreate a bridge\u201d between different forms of entertainment and the series. \u201cIt needs to be a rewarding fan experience, and not just about the money though,\u201d he explains. \u201cHonestly, I don\u2019t really know how the money works but I assume there is some.\u201d<\/p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MONOPOLY GO! | THE SIMPSONS: Mr. Burns and Mr. Monopoly\u2019s Excellent Rivalry\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pDxn0CD41b0?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<p><em>The Simpsons<\/em> still prides itself on being subversive but it avoids dealing with things such as Donald Trump\u2019s presidency. \u201cJust watch <em>South Park<\/em>,\u201d says Selman when asked about it. \u201cIt\u2019s hard for us with our lead time [because episodes are written months in advance] but they can respond to the crisis of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel like the shows are complimentary,\u201d he continues, with both animated series premiering in the \u201990s. \u201cWe tell stories about a family in the modern world, so we\u2019ll show how politics affects them. We\u2019re not backing away from what\u2019s going on by any means. It\u2019s a big deal to show how our divided country affects real people. But we do it in a macro way, whereas <em>South Park<\/em> does it in the smartest, sharpest way by tackling the unbelievable tragedy of the week. We\u2019re never going to out <em>South Park, South Park<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But the show still has bite. Take <em>Monopoly Go!<\/em>, which launched with a new short that saw Mr. Burns once again go up against Mr. Monopoly (voiced by Will Ferrell, in his <em>Simpsons<\/em> debut). \u201cBillionaires of the world seem to be doing well, so to have those two having a petty fight over a stolen top hat from the 1920s satirises the world we find ourselves in,\u201d says Selman. After causing carnage all across Springfield, the pair end up in jail but Mr. Monopoly isn\u2019t worried. \u201cWe\u2019ll be bailed out in no time,\u201d he grins. \u201cPrivilege has its privileges.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Whether it\u2019s on streaming, at the cinema or in your favourite game, the goal for <em>The Simpsons<\/em> is to \u201ctell stories that matter and are funny,\u201d says Selman. \u201cDon\u2019t waste the opportunity to be original in 2026,\u201d he adds, looking at the storyboard for an episode set to launch next year. \u201cWe\u2019re not resting on our laurels. Repeating yourself is so boring and frustrating.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>\u2018The Simpsons\u2019 event in \u2018Monopoly Go!\u2019 is live now, and runs until July 29. For more info, head here.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>The Simpsons<\/li>\n<li>The Simpsons: Hit &amp; Run<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_88\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_content td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_89  wpb_row td-pb-row tdc-element-style\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-block td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-custom-spot tdi_92 td_block_template_2\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_93\" class=\"tdc-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_94  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_96  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_98  vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_100  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_102 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>More Stories<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_103 td-pb-border-top td_module_flex_1--card td_module_flex_1--card--highlight td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_103\">\n<div id=\"tdi_103\" class=\"td_block_inner td-mc1-wrap\">\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Film News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Zooey Deschanel went blonde 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dialogue<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_104\" class=\"tdc-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_105  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_107  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_109 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p><strong class=\"dropcap big-read-dropcap\"><em>T<\/em><\/strong><em>he Simpsons<\/em>\u2019 team isn\u2019t content with their 36-year run of television dominance. They want more. This summer, a string of Disney+ exclusive shorts will see them take over streaming with the help of Laufey, Tegan &amp; Sara and a Black Mirror parody while a sequel to the record-breaking 2007 movie is heading to cinemas next September.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re also looking to reclaim ground in the world of video games after a decade without a new release. Last year\u2019s collaboration with online shooter <em>Fortnite<\/em> saw more than 80million people racking up 780million hours of playtime in just 30 days and last month, <em>The Simpsons<\/em> arrived in <em>Monopoly Go!<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE: Laufey on her unexpected \u2018Fortnite\u2019 collab, Coachella and the joy of proving people wrong<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>More than 10million people log into the free-to-play mobile title every day where the goal, just like in the classic board game, is to earn as much money as possible. This handheld take on <em>Monopoly<\/em> features limited-time events, quirky mini-games and the chance to plunder your friends\u2019 wallet. Is there a better match than a show about family conflict and a game which has caused plenty?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI didn\u2019t know that I was a competitive person until I played this,\u201d says Matt Selman, <em>The Simpsons<\/em> writer and co-showrunner.<\/p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MONOPOLY GO! | The Simpsons: Welcome to MONOPOLY D\u2019OH\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7fHZxi_sCzI?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<p>Building on the foundations of <em>Monopoly Go!<\/em>, the goal for crossover was to offer something \u201cfunny and subversive\u201d for both the typical <em>Go!<\/em> player as well as Simpsons nerds. \u201cSome people have a very casual relationship with the show, some people watch every single episode. We have fans that are six years old. Others have been watching for nearly 40 years,\u201d says Selman, describing <em>The Simpsons<\/em> as a coat of yellow paint around the world. \u201cIt\u2019s like The Golden Gate Bridge though, you never stop repainting it,\u201d he continues. \u201cWe\u2019re helping <em>Monopoly Go!<\/em> seem silly and Simpsons-y. They\u2019re reminding people that the show is still on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It was the same with last year\u2019s <em>Fortnite<\/em> event, which ended up being so popular that the blockbuster game. \u201cEvery time we break a giant server farm\u2019s computing technology, I take that as a sign of success.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\">\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3927899\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3927899\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3927899\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Fortnite-Simpsons.jpg\" alt=\"The Simpsons x &apos;Fortnite&apos;.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3927899\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Simpsons x \u2018Fortnite\u2019. CREDIT: Epic Games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Of course, <em>Fortnite<\/em> and <em>Monopoly Go!<\/em> aren\u2019t the first time <em>The Simpsons<\/em> have gatecrashed the world of video games. As well as the beloved season seven episode \u2018Marge Be Not Proud\u2019 (which sees Bart get caught shoplifting ultra-violent fighting game <em>Bonestorm<\/em>), the \u201890s were full of brilliant, bizarre <em>Simpsons<\/em> games. Three different 2D side-scrolling platforming games featuring Bart were released in 1991 and another four followed the next year. <em>Gladiators<\/em> parody <em>Bart Vs. The Juggernauts<\/em> and <em>Bart Vs. The Space Mutants<\/em>, which saw the pre-teen tearaway out to save the world from an alien invasion, were among the best.<\/p>\n<p>The early noughties were just as busy with <em>The Simpsons Wrestling<\/em>, <em>Crazy Taxi<\/em> rip-off <em>Road Rage<\/em> and cult classic <em>Hit &amp; Run<\/em> launching between 2001 and 2003. \u201c<em>Hit &amp; Run<\/em> was our version of <em>Grand Theft Auto 3<\/em>, which had just come out. But it went on to become something so much more,\u201d says Selman. \u201cIt still has a huge, powerful fanbase. I love that game but I don\u2019t know why it became such a thing.\u201d For more than a decade, there have been constant rumours about a remake or a sequel. Is it happening? \u201cI want you to quote me on this,\u201d says Selman. \u201cLong sigh. I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3546189\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3546189\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3546189\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/simpsons-hit-and-run-remake-1677768262562.jpg\" alt=\"The Simpsons Hit &amp; Run (Credit: Radical Entertainment)\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3546189\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Simpsons Hit &amp; Run (Credit: Radical Entertainment)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p><em>The Simpsons Game<\/em> came in 2007, playfully mocking the entire video game industry with Homer, Marge and the rest of the family out to save their 8-bit selves from EA boss Will Wright and <em>The Simpsons<\/em> creator Matt Groening. \u201cThe gameplay is ok but that story is really funny,\u201d says Selman, who helped write it. \u201cIt was a satire about how games are continually evolving and becoming obsolete. At the end of it, Matt Groening throws money at you. He wasn\u2019t thrilled, but he did laugh about it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s the job of <em>The Simpsons<\/em> to satirise the trends of the world,\u201d says Selman, so in 2012, they launched mobile game <em>Tapped Out<\/em>. It was designed as a quick knock-off of the popular <em>Smurf\u2019s Village<\/em> farm game but thanks to the strength of the writing, it went on to earn more than $100million in its first 18 months. \u201cIt was meant to be a parody of this thing, but it went on to become a billion times more popular. I wrote a great speech for the game about how \u2018the ultimate freemium slash premium currency is your time on this planet, so think about how you spend it wisely.\u2019 I stand by that statement.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But after ten years of constant updates, the game was closed down last year despite a passionate playerbase still logging on every day. \u201cThere was so much great writing in <em>Tapped Out<\/em> and I don\u2019t even know if that exists anywhere,\u201d says Selman. \u201cI would love to see it brought back in some fashion but I don\u2019t know how. It\u2019s another \u2018long sigh, I don\u2019t know\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3955486\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3955486\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3955486\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Simpsons-Monopoly-Go.jpg\" alt=\"The Simpsons video game\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3955486\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u2018The Simpsons\u2019 x \u2018Monopoly Go!\u2019 CREDIT: Scopely<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He sees the collaborations with <em>Fortnite<\/em> and <em>Monopoly Go!<\/em> as the next generation of <em>The Simpsons<\/em> games, rather than a way to gauge demand ahead of an original title. \u201cThe whole video game industry seems like it\u2019s in trouble at the moment, so to spend three years trying to do a console [<em>Simpsons<\/em>] game and then finding out that was a bad idea, no one wants to do that,\u201d he explains. \u201cI like it when someone else does most of the work like [<em>Monopoly Go!<\/em> creators] Scopely, so if anyone\u2019s interested\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s important that they\u2019re never phoning it in though. \u201cWe\u2019re one of the most-streamed shows on Disney+, and we want to keep it that way,\u201d says Selman. A new generation discovered the loveable goofballs of Springfield when the show arrived on the streamer in 2019 and these gaming collabs continue to \u201ccreate a bridge\u201d between different forms of entertainment and the series. \u201cIt needs to be a rewarding fan experience, and not just about the money though,\u201d he explains. \u201cHonestly, I don\u2019t really know how the money works but I assume there is some.\u201d<\/p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MONOPOLY GO! | THE SIMPSONS: Mr. Burns and Mr. Monopoly\u2019s Excellent Rivalry\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pDxn0CD41b0?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<p><em>The Simpsons<\/em> still prides itself on being subversive but it avoids dealing with things such as Donald Trump\u2019s presidency. \u201cJust watch <em>South Park<\/em>,\u201d says Selman when asked about it. \u201cIt\u2019s hard for us with our lead time [because episodes are written months in advance] but they can respond to the crisis of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel like the shows are complimentary,\u201d he continues, with both animated series premiering in the \u201990s. \u201cWe tell stories about a family in the modern world, so we\u2019ll show how politics affects them. We\u2019re not backing away from what\u2019s going on by any means. It\u2019s a big deal to show how our divided country affects real people. But we do it in a macro way, whereas <em>South Park<\/em> does it in the smartest, sharpest way by tackling the unbelievable tragedy of the week. We\u2019re never going to out <em>South Park, South Park<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But the show still has bite. Take <em>Monopoly Go!<\/em>, which launched with a new short that saw Mr. Burns once again go up against Mr. Monopoly (voiced by Will Ferrell, in his <em>Simpsons<\/em> debut). \u201cBillionaires of the world seem to be doing well, so to have those two having a petty fight over a stolen top hat from the 1920s satirises the world we find ourselves in,\u201d says Selman. After causing carnage all across Springfield, the pair end up in jail but Mr. Monopoly isn\u2019t worried. \u201cWe\u2019ll be bailed out in no time,\u201d he grins. \u201cPrivilege has its privileges.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Whether it\u2019s on streaming, at the cinema or in your favourite game, the goal for <em>The Simpsons<\/em> is to \u201ctell stories that matter and are funny,\u201d says Selman. \u201cDon\u2019t waste the opportunity to be original in 2026,\u201d he adds, looking at the storyboard for an episode set to launch next year. \u201cWe\u2019re not resting on our laurels. Repeating yourself is so boring and frustrating.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>\u2018The Simpsons\u2019 event in \u2018Monopoly Go!\u2019 is live now, and runs until July 29. For more info, head here.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/features\/gaming-features\/the-simpsons-video-games-interview-matt-selman-monopoly-go-hit-run-3955483&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The-Simpsons-2024.jpg&#8221;] FeaturesGaming Features The Simpsons\u2019 silly, subversive video game legacy isn\u2019t done yet New collabs with &#8216;Monopoly Go!&#8217; and &#8216;Fortnite&#8217; are the logical follow-up to classics &#8216;Hit &amp; Run&#8217; and &#8216;The Simpsons Game&#8217; says showrunner Matt Selman By Ali Shutler 7th July 2026 &#8216;The Simpsons&#8217; season 31. CREDIT: Disney The Simpsons\u2019 team isn\u2019t [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2032615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2032615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2032615"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2032615\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2032615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2032615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2032615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}