The Simpsons is back with a bang, bursting onto gaming screens after a decade-long hiatus and crashing into the world of Monopoly Go! like a D'oh-filled battering ram. The beloved animated family's latest foray into the virtual realm comes hot on the heels of a string of high-profile collaborations, including Disney+ exclusive shorts featuring Laufey and Tegan & Sara.
Last year's Fortnite extravaganza saw an astonishing 80 million players rack up a mind-boggling 780 million hours of playtime within just 30 days – and we're not done yet! The Simpsons characters have now landed in the popular mobile title Monopoly Go!, attracting over 10 million daily players who are fighting to accumulate wealth, echoing the classic board game's timeless objective.
As Matt Selman, writer and co-showrunner for The Simpsons, quipped: "We wanted to bring something funny and subversive to both the existing Monopoly Go! community and our dedicated fans." And boy, have they delivered! The crossover brings a unique blend of limited-time events, quirky mini-games, and the opportunity to 'plunder' friends' in-game wallets. Selman likened the franchise's enduring appeal to "a constant coat of yellow paint around the world" – always fresh, always fun.
The Simpsons has a storied history in gaming, dating back to the 1990s with classics like 'Bart Vs. The Juggernauts' and 'Bart Vs. The Space Mutants'. Selman revealed that the team behind the hit game 'Hit & Run', their take on 'Grand Theft Auto 3', is still "talking about a remake or sequel" – but fans will have to keep waiting for confirmation.
And let's not forget the 2007 release, 'The Simpsons Game' – a playful satire of the video game industry itself. Selman had a field day with this one, describing it as "a laugh-out-loud sendup of the evolving and often obsolete nature of games." The franchise's continued ability to poke fun at global trends is evident in the 2012 mobile game 'Tapped Out', initially conceived as a quick parody of popular farm-building games.