Plans for Three Sequels to The Simpsons: Hit & Run Halted by Unnamed Decision-Maker

Even today, fans hold a special place in their hearts for The Simpsons: Hit & Run. Interestingly, it seems there could have been more games in the series, if not for the actions of a person involved in the game’s publication.

When it comes to the PlayStation 2, The Simpsons: Hit & Run might just be one of the most beloved titles. It’s rare to find anyone with a bad word to say about it, and despite the ongoing demand for a port or a remaster, nothing new has emerged. This game, with its Grand Theft Auto-like appeal, was successful back in the day, yet curiously, a sequel never came to fruition. A clue as to why this might be came to light recently. Earlier this month, YouTuber Summoning Salt, who creates detailed documentaries on the speedrunning history of various games, put out a video dedicated to The Simpsons: Hit & Run. In this video, noticed by GamesRadar, a notable comment was left by the game’s lead designer, Joe McGinn.

Initially, McGinn commented on how “incredibly fun and heartwarming” it was to watch the video, reflecting on his role as lead designer. But he went on to reveal something even more intriguing: there could have been as many as three sequels to the game, all without needing to pay licensing fees to use The Simpsons IP. McGinn shared that Gracie Films, the production company behind The Simpsons, extended an offer to the publisher. They proposed a deal to create three sequels using all of The Simpsons’ rights and voice actors at no cost—that’s right, zero dollars for the licensing.

Given such an enticing offer, combined with the original game’s success, one might wonder why a sequel wasn’t given the go-ahead. McGinn elaborated, saying, “some crazy person at the publisher – we never found out who – said no.” It’s a baffling decision, and understandably one that has been a source of frustration for the developers. Fast forward two decades, and it’s clear there’s little anyone can do about it right now. Perhaps, if we’re lucky, we’ll eventually get a port at the very least.