EA unveils new Simpsons game

By Tom Bramwell Published 10 May, 2007

Parodying GTA, EverQuest, more.

EA is working on a new Simpsons title that parodies the likes of EverQuest, Grand Theft Auto and Medal of Honor.

Described as a 16-level "action comedy" with a storyline penned by the long-running TV show's long-running writers, the new Simpsons game is due out on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, DS and PSP this autumn.

It's being put together by EA Redwood Shores, and is full of touches that EA reckons fans of the series - now 400 episodes old - will find exciting, like individual title animations and stories for each of the 16 levels, which are being treated like episodes.

Players will get to control a pair of Simpsons family members in each one, allowing for co-operative play with a friend, and whether it's Homer, Marge, Bart or Lisa under their thumbs players will be able to employ special powers - with Bart transforming into Bartman and Homer into Homerball.

The show's familiar cast will all be around, and voiced by their respective actors, as players journey through Springfield and "vast worlds beyond", battling in comic recreations of familiar game settings.

"Our goal in developing The Simpsons Game is to create the most original game ever, which is a lofty goal and only possible given the close collaboration with The Simpsons' creative team," said Scot Amos, executive producer.

"We're also especially proud of the game's warm visual feel, which captures - for the first time ever in a game - the look of the TV show. As Comic Book Guy says, 'Best. Simpsons Game. Ever!'"

Meanwhile, the TV Simpsons' executive producer James L. Brooks said he was thinking of suing EA "for second hand exhaustion".

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (19) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • BraveArse #1 5 years ago

    I'm not normally in the "meh" crowd, but...



    meh

    ¬¬

  • barchetta #2 5 years ago

    Hey! I just nicked this from Xboxyde (it's in the General Gaming thread)...

    /thunder stolen ;(

  • Razz #3 5 years ago

    Cool! Sounds alright to be honest, there isn't a simpsons game that I haven't liked, well.. .hit and run was a bit shit.

  • JayeM #4 5 years ago

    The graphics look nice and I enjoyed Hit & Run and Road Rage (shock, horror).

  • asphaltcowboy #5 5 years ago

    "Our goal in developing The Simpsons Game is to create the most original game ever..."

    Riiight...

  • Nobuo #6 5 years ago

    Doesn't Comic Book Guy say "WORST x ever."?

  • LOLLERS #7 5 years ago

    yeah I think he does, the whole point is he doesn't like anything...

  • Machetazo #8 5 years ago

    To be awkward, wants to play as either Krusty, or (better) Sideshow Bob! :p What's here, could be good, but it might not. I do like the idea that the family are fully aware they're stuck in a videogame world. But it's The Simpsons, which I haven't watched for a long time.

  • ZuluHero #9 5 years ago

    "Bart Vs the space mutants "was the first and only Simpsons game i played and i thought it was great!

    I was about 13 though so it might have been a huge factor :S
    Edited by 2 at 10/05/07 @ 10:39

  • DUFFMAN5 #10 5 years ago

    OH YEAH
    About time. To the nay sayers, I say Get Bent, in the nicest possible way (to quote Bart) it's a Simpsons game. We need more Simpsons/South Park/Futurama and Family Guy games, I admit most are ok at best but who cares, there is always a chance a good one will come out. I loved H&R and the Futurama game. Also we need a King of the Hill game, not too sure what about but we need it, could be Cotton killing fidy nazies or whatever.

  • Steroyd #11 5 years ago

    whatever you say DUFFMANS "OOOH YEAH"

    /thrusts hip

    Personally i like the Simpsons.... the older ones the new episodes don't tickle the funny bone as they used to. :/

  • Machetazo #12 5 years ago

    /takes a few gulps, throws can
    Yup, more should be made of that dang-ol' King of the Hill licence, I tell ya what, except it don't lend itself too good to videagames, outside of some generic crap that just wants to trade off its good name.... Yup.
    Edited by 2 at 10/05/07 @ 11:33

  • AcidSnake #13 5 years ago

    Didn't comic book guy once say 'Best. Cameo. EVER!'?

    Haven't seen simpsons in years now...The Italian dubbing ruins it...

  • Lemming81 #14 5 years ago

    I love the way he says "most original game ever" and it sounds exactly like Lego Star Wars...

  • DB2k #15 5 years ago

    theres a video on ign. looks reet. cel shaded and with super powers.

  • david78 #16 5 years ago

    They looked stupid in 3D, but now they are using Cel-shading, they've captured the look of the show perfectly.

  • Fyzzu #17 5 years ago

    I'm generally fairly cynical of cartoon tie-ins, being that they're almost all completely atrocious, but this actually sounds like it might be alright. No real judgment until there's more substantial information, obviously, but it doesn't sound like a standard cash-in at least.

  • Jambii #18 5 years ago

    I enjoyed Hit & run, and road rage was a good rental.

    Sounds all right but will have to wait for some decent reviews.

  • firefly #19 5 years ago

    -- "EA is working on a new Simpsons title that parodies the likes of EverQuest, Grand Theft Auto and Medal of Honor."

    -- "Our goal in developing The Simpsons Game is to create the most original game ever, which is a lofty goal and only possible given the close collaboration with The Simpsons' creative team,"

    Is it just me or do these seem like completely contradictory statements. How can they produce a parody of other game formulae and yet claim originality.

    For that matter I do hope their claims to produce the most original game ever prove to be justified. It's been a while since anybody's tried to beat - as for instance - Pong (or whatever the first iteration was called), Spacewar, Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, or Super Mario 64 in innovation.