Even now, players hold a special affection for The Simpsons: Hit & Run, and it’s intriguing to think there could have been more to enjoy if it wasn’t for a decision made by someone involved in its publication.
When I think of beloved PS2 games, The Simpsons: Hit & Run immediately comes to mind. It’s hard to come across anyone with a bad word to say about it. Even today, the demand for a port or remaster remains high, but such a project has yet to surface. Although it was a commercial success with its Grand Theft Auto-inspired gameplay, a sequel never saw the light of day, and we’re finally getting some insight into why that might be. Earlier this month, YouTuber Summoning Salt, known for creating comprehensive documentaries on the speedrunning history of various games, released a video focusing on The Simpsons: Hit & Run. According to GamesRadar, the video featured a surprising comment from Joe McGinn, the game’s lead designer.
Initially, McGinn simply expressed how wonderful and touching it was to see the video as someone who led the game’s design. However, he later revealed an intriguing tidbit: there were plans for not just one, but up to three sequels, which could have been developed without incurring any licensing costs for The Simpsons. McGinn elaborated on this astonishing offer, explaining that Gracie Films, the production company behind The Simpsons, proposed a deal to their publisher. This deal included all the rights and voice actors associated with The Simpsons, at the unbeatable price of zero dollars—meaning there would be no licensing fees.
With such an enticing offer on the table, teamed with the game’s notable success, one has to wonder—why were these sequels never approved? McGinn offered some insight, noting that “some crazy person at the publisher—we never found out who—said no.” It’s a baffling decision that no doubt left the developers frustrated. Now, two decades later, there’s little that can be done to change the past. However, one can hope that maybe, just maybe, we’ll see at least a port in the future.