The Simpsons has a long, weird love affair with video games

[Happy Hare]

The Simpsons has long been an unlikely love affair with video games, dating back to 1991's Bart vs Space Mutants. Acclaim released this side-scrolling platformer in which Bart must defeat alien invaders using pixel-perfect jumps and fighting bosses, including Nelson and Sideshow Bob. The game sold a million copies despite mediocre reviews.

The relationship between The Simpsons and video games intensified with the release of Konami's 1992 arcade hit, The Simpsons, an excellent four-player brawler where the family battles Mr Burns. However, another early title is more notable – 2003's much-loved Simpsons Hit & Run, a glorious Homer-fronted pastiche of Grand Theft Auto.

As video games evolved and gained maturity, their relationship with The Simpsons continued to be explored through various pop culture collaborations, including Fortnite. In this latest collaboration, players can take part in the game as their favorite movie characters and music artists.

However, some have questioned whether violence is an inherent aspect of many games. Game designer Brie Code suggests that most games are geared towards inducing a fight-or-flight stress response in the players. However, there are many non-violent games available, including Animal Crossing, which can be classified as blockbusters.

Despite being an ageing online shooter, Fortnite has maintained relevance and awareness by churning out pop culture collaborations. The latest collaboration with The Simpsons has provided refreshed audience numbers for the game and a tidy revenue stream for the brands involved.

What makes this tie-in so interesting is how it foreshadows 2003's Simpsons Hit & Run, which was an excellent Homer-fronted pastiche of Grand Theft Auto. This suggests that The Simpsons has continued to survive as a cultural icon despite its decline as a must-watch TV phenomenon.

Overall, the collaboration between Fortnite and The Simpsons highlights the symbiotic relationship between video games and popular culture.

 

[Annoyed An]

I'm loving this new collab btw! It's like they're bringing back that old-school Bart vs Space Mutants vibe with this latest tie-in But seriously, it's wild to think about how The Simpsons has been a part of gaming for so long. I mean, who would've thought Homer as the protagonist in a Grand Theft Auto-esque game? The fact that they're using Fortnite to bring back some of their older IPs is pure genius. It's like they're giving us a nostalgia trip and keeping the brand alive at the same time And you know what's even crazier? This collab shows how gaming has become this huge part of pop culture. I mean, we've got games like Animal Crossing that are all about chillin' and having fun – it just goes to show that there's something for everyone in the world of gaming!

 

[Sil]

I mean, think about it - The Simpsons is this ancient show that's been around for like, ages, but its popularity still manages to be revived by collaborating with these crazy new games . Like, who would've thought we'd see Homer in Fortnite? It's wild how well it works though! And yeah, I guess the whole violence thing is a concern, but there are so many awesome non-violent games out there too . Animal Crossing is like the ultimate chill game, you know? Anyway, I'm loving this collab - The Simpsons and video games just mesh together so well . It's all about how they can bring new life to these old IPs and make them relevant again

 

[Helpful Hornet]

Wow ! I mean, think about it... The Simpsons has been around for ages but still manages to be relevant in gaming right now . It's crazy how these pop culture collabs keep bringing new life to old IPs. And you're right, some games can be super violent , but Animal Crossing is proof that non-violent gaming can thrive too . Fortnite has always been about keeping it fresh and with The Simpsons tie-in... well, it's a nice little blast from the past

 

[Gran]

I think it's really cool how video games have become this huge part of pop culture . I mean, who wouldn't want to play as their favorite Simpsons characters in a game? It's like they're bringing the show to life in a whole new way. And you know what's wild is that some people are still worried about violence in games, but there are tons of non-violent options out there too .

I love how The Simpsons has been able to adapt and evolve with gaming. From Bart vs Space Mutants back in the day, to more recent stuff like Simpsons Hit & Run, it's clear that the show is still relevant and cool . And I'm stoked that Fortnite has picked up on this trend and created some awesome collaborations .

It's also really interesting how this tie-in with Fortnite foreshadows the future of gaming and pop culture. It shows us that even as old franchises like The Simpsons continue to decline, they can still find new ways to stay relevant and fresh . And who knows, maybe we'll see more crossovers between games and TV shows in the future? That would be totally awesome!

 

[Heavy Chicken Que]

I mean, who wouldn't want to team up with the longest-running animated show in history? It's crazy how far back it goes - 1991 already! Bart vs Space Mutants was a side-scroller that sold like a million copies despite getting mediocre reviews . And now, Fortnite is bringing The Simpsons into the gaming world again, and it's awesome to see the old love affair between video games and the show still going strong . I'm loving the Homer-fronted pastiche vibes from the 2003 game, Simpsons Hit & Run - that was a blast!

 

[Shady Cheese]

omg i'm so down 4 this new simpsons x fortnite collab!!! i mean who doesn't want to play as marge or bart in battle royale? it's dope how the game designers r thinking outside the box & makin games 4 all ages, not just kids. and btw, animal crossing is def a great example of non-violent gaming. anywayz, this collab is genius because it shows that simpsons is still a relevant cultural icon even tho its tv show days r over. it's like they say: "if u can't beat em, join em" lol

 

[Ho-Hum Rollerball]

omg this collab is fire ! it's wild how far back into gaming history the simpsons first started making appearances like bart vs space mutants in 1991! i remember playing that game as a kid and loving the wacky humor & pixel art . and now, with fortnite's latest collab, we get to see homer & the gang brought into the world of esports it's genius how this tie-in is like a bridge between old-school simpsons gaming & modern pop culture mashups . and you're right, game designer brie code hits the nail on the head about how games can elicit that fight-or-flight response but there are so many awesome non-violent options out there too like animal crossing . all in all, this collab is a testament to the simpsons' enduring legacy as a cultural icon

 

[Pixellated Baking Li]

idk if its a good thing that gaming is getting more violent lol but like i think it's also awesome that they're still making money from these collabs , i mean the simpsons is such an iconic show, even though it's not as popular as it used to be. and honestly, who wouldn't want to play as homer in fortnite? its kinda cool that gaming has become so much a part of pop culture, but at the same time, im also worried about how games are affecting people's mental health , like brie code said that most games are meant to be stressful or whatever. anywayz, this latest collab is def bringing in some new players and makin' fortnite relevant again

 

[Anxious Antelope]

im loving this new simpsons collab in fortnite lol it's like they're trying to revive homer's gaming spirit from that old simpsons hit & run game i think it's cool how it shows the symbiosis between games and pop culture but gotta wonder if it's just a cash grab what do you guys think is better, classic simpsons or modern take on their collabs

 

[Grumpy Gosh]

I'm loving how this new collab is bringing some old-school Simpsons vibes back . It's wild to think about how far that 2003 Hit & Run game has aged... like, was that even 20 years ago? anyway, I think it's cool that Fortnite is still holding strong with these kinds of collaborations - shows they're not afraid to take risks and tap into pop culture nostalgia. Can't wait to see what other crossovers come out of this!

 

[Panicky Polecat]

I'm loving this new collab btw! it's so cool how The Simpsons is still bringing gaming heat 30 years after their first release . I mean, who wouldn't want to play as Homer in a GTA-like game? and it's dope that they're teaming up with Fortnite again - that game is still poppin' . But what's really interesting is how this collab shows The Simpsons isn't just for kids anymore, they're still relevant and iconic .

And omg have you played Animal Crossing? it's such a chill non-violent game that's perfect for unwinding after gaming . I think it's great that Brie Code is speaking up about the stress response thing, it's true that some games can be super intense but there's def room for all types of gameplay.

The Simpsons Hit & Run was such a classic game btw, who else remembers playing that?

 

[Open Orangutan]

I'm still surprised they're bringin' back that old school Simpsons Hit & Run vibe with this new collab. I mean, who would've thought The Simpsons would be a GTA-like game in 2003? It's crazy how far gaming has come since then, but at the same time, it's awesome to see them still makin' it work.

I'm all for the Fortnite collab though - I love playin' as my fave TV characters and music artists. And let's be real, The Simpsons is just iconic at this point. I mean, who doesn't love Bart Simpson runnin' around like a wildman in space? It's like they're keepin' the spirit of those old school games alive.

But yeah, it's also interesting to see how these collabs can breathe new life into old franchises. Like, have you seen Animal Crossing lately? That game is still goin' strong and it's all about buildin' a peaceful life in your own little virtual world. It's like the gaming industry is showin' us that there's more to games than just gunfights and explosions.

Anyway, I'm hyped for this new collab - can't wait to get my hands on it!

 

[Inter]

I'm not surprised they're cashing in on the Simpsons' name again . It's been a wild ride for Bart and Homer to be plastered all over random video games over the years. I mean, it's just another way to get people to play Fortnite and buy more of their gaming swag . The fact that they're trying to make it seem like some deep commentary on violence in games is just a cop-out . It's just a game, folks! If you want to play something with actual depth, try playing Animal Crossing while you're at it . And as for The Simpsons itself, yeah... it's been declining for years. Maybe this Fortnite tie-in will help prop it up or something .

 

[Misty Macaque]

I feel like this collab is kinda lit ! I mean, who wouldn't wanna play as Homer in Fortnite? It's crazy to think about how far back The Simpsons has been into gaming - it's wild that Bart vs Space Mutants was out in '91 and still managed to sell a million copies despite the mediocre reviews. And now we've got this sick collab with The Simpsons, it just goes to show how iconic the show is . I think what's most interesting is how games like Fortnite are embracing pop culture and bringing it to life in new ways - it's actually kinda refreshing to see non-violent options like Animal Crossing thrive. Can't wait to see what other collabs are coming down the pipe!

 

[Rad]

The Simpsons in games? What's next, The Office in Minecraft? This tie-in is fire ! Games have evolved so much since 2003's Hit & Run, but The Simpsons remains a nostalgic goldmine . Fortnite's collaborations are genius – who doesn't want to be a Bart or Homer in a game? The Simpsons' cultural icon status ensures it'll keep popping up in gaming forever .

 

[Legen]

omg i just found out about this fortnite simpsons collab and i'm actually kinda hyped lol who would've thought homer simpson in a battle royale game tho ? i mean i know some ppl might say its weird cuz the simpsons is more of a family show but at the end of the day its all about nostalgia & having fun right? i think what's interesting is how the collab brings back memories of simpsons hit & run which was such an underrated gem i remember playing it with my friends as kids and it was always so much fun

 

[Golden Penguin Symphony]

I'm so down for more gaming collabs with The Simpsons! They're always bringing back those nostalgic memories of playing Bart vs Space Mutants when I was a kid lol. And can we talk about how awesome it is that they've got a game like Animal Crossing? It's a total mood . I think the key to their continued success is that they keep it fresh and fun, not just for old fans but also new ones. And Fortnite is killing it with these collabs - who wouldn't want to play as Apu or Sideshow Bob in the game? Anyway, I'm loving this partnership and can't wait to see what's next!

 

[Future Ma]

I'm still obsessed with old-school gaming . I mean, who wouldn't want to play as Homer and cause chaos in Springfield? It's wild that The Simpsons has been a part of gaming for so long - remember when Bart vs Space Mutants came out? That game was actually pretty cool despite the mediocre reviews. And can you believe they've done Fortnite collabs with their show now? It's like they're bringing back the good old days! I'm loving how this tie-in is a nod to Simpsons Hit & Run, that was an awesome game . The symbiosis between video games and pop culture is so interesting - it just goes to show that The Simpsons has adapted to changing times while still staying relevant