The Simpsons: Hit and Run is one of the most beloved games of the early 2000s, if not all time. A GTA-like game where you play as and interact with some of the most iconic characters in TV history was a match made in heaven for fans and developer Radical Entertainment. So, why didn’t we get The Simpsons Hit and Run 2?
In an interview with MinnMax, members of the game’s development team finally answered that question the best they could.
It turns out, Radical Entertainment had been working on the sequel to the game after the success of the first. The problem was, Vivendi, the publishers of the game, didn’t have the license anymore so a new deal had to be made.
“The Simpsons came back with an offer for five games for X amount of dollars — a really good deal — and Vivendi said ‘No.’,” former executive producer John Melchior said. “After the success of Hit and Run.”
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As far as why Vivendi turned it down, Melchoir simply said “I don’t know”.
The sequel would’ve included features like airships and planes to fly, towing, and more.
“It was sad because we had a ton of momentum,” Melchoir said. “There was no momentum lost between the shipping of this game and the work being done on the sequel.”
Designer Darren Evenson said that there was never a concern about not doing a sequel. So much so that everyone at Radical Entertainment felt like this was going to become a regular franchise.
“It was a no-brainer; it was like, well of course we’re going to be doing this,” Evenson said. “The stars are aligned, we’re treading down this path. And then it was just like a, ‘Huh, I guess we’re not.’
“It was just disbelief. Pure disbelief.”
Melchoir then added: “It was a five-game deal for less money than I think Vivendi paid for the first game. It was really cheap because they [The Simpsons] were really happy.”
He then said that his former boss was just as confused as anyone about when Vivendi didn’t continue on with the license.
“He was just like, ‘I don’t understand. I gave it to you on a silver platter, why aren’t you just saying yes and doing these games?’,” Melchoir said. “It was just a really bizarre decision. I’ll never understand it. Most people on the production level never understood it.”
Currently, EA holds the video game rights for The Simpsons, which it acquired in 2005. In those 18 years, the company has put out just one major console game, The Simpsons Game, back in 2007.
What do you think about fans likely never getting The Simpsons: Hit and Run 2? For more Insider Gaming, check out what Activision had to say about the reaction to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s multiplayer.
