Why The Simpsons Should Be an Old School Adventure Game

Some television shows work well in a certain video game genre, like Naruto and Dragonball Z is in their numerous fighting games. Since both shows are about combatants pounding each other to smithereens, it makes sense, allowing the developers to make a smooth transition in translating the TV show's personality as a fighting game. They can easily come up with attacks and abilities for the characters inspired by watching the episodes. They can design a game that still stays true to the source material. But shows that don't feature amazing fight scenes and action struggle to be a good video game, and one that doesn't reflect what the show is about. Fans watch these shows for the character driven stories, for the dialogue, drama, and comedy. The transition to video games is more difficult for them, and publishers have made poor choices with what genre works best. Unfortunately, most shows are shoved into the beat' em ups and platformers, because to them, the games industry loves action so it makes sense from a business standpoint. But they should be careful as that philosophy is not always true. My issue is not with Disney or Nickelodeon here, but well respected shows like The Sopranos and Family Guy, both made into awful video games. One show that went in the same direction as an action game and failed in my eyes is the The Simpsons Game.

Technical issues, lazy level designs, and poor camera control are three problems in The Simpsons Game right from the start. So unfortunately The Simpsons is a bad game. But to me, it didn't translate well as an action platformer because it doesn't deliver on what made the show such great entertainment in the first place. Having the Simpsons go around clubbing other Springfield citizens with their fists and weapons just doesn't appeal me. Sure, that's happened in the series, and maybe you don't mind seeing Homer punch Flanders in the face more often, or Bart throw something at Principal Skinner. But that's not what the show is about. My one issue in the game that stood out for me is not giving more time to build stronger stories and characters. For The Simpsons, if the developers really wanted to bring the identity of the show to video games (in interviews they said they would push for), they should have gone in the route of making it an adventure game. With its witty writing, humor, plot, and dialogue, the cartoon has advantages that can be better expressed in this genre. Successful games today like Sam & Max, Nancy Drew, and Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People prove that the adventure genre, with its focus on narrative, dialogue, humor, and puzzles, still has an audience out there. Here are some reasons why I believe The Simpsons belongs in this genre.

All aspects of the show's comedy will work

From the slapstick comedy of Homer, to Bart's pranks at school, and Chief Wiggum's hilarious lines (Suspect is hatless! I repeat, suspect is hatless!), to clowns like Bumblebee Man and Duffman, there is no limit to the comedy that can be pulled out and displayed with creativity in an adventure game. It's similar to movies, where it allows us to be more passive so we can just casually enjoy watching the characters entertain us, giving the player more time to relax and sink in on those funny moments, unlike a platformer, where you're too busy solving problems and attacking enemies.

The satire of the show with all the ammo the show has unleashed on celebrities, movies, games, etc., is attempted in The Simpsons Game to a decent effort. There are a few good moments, like the level, "The Game Engine", where the Simpsons writers made fun of Mario, Sonic, and Ryu. Other clever moments include a stage dedicated to World of Warcraft, and taking jabs at Electronic Arts with their games like Medal Of Honor and Madden. I commend them for going even into video games culture by making fun of XBOX Live Achievements with their their own personal feature based on that, one of the better lines in the game being, "Easiest Achievement Ever", because you pressed the Start button to play.

But the comedy can be pulled off as well, or even better, in an adventure game if put to imaginative use by the writers. Click on a character, item, or picture, and there can be a wide selection of humorous moments Simpsons style. Another unique part of the show's comedy, is the pop culture references, not just through the dialogues and characters, but also the settings themselves, like the movie theaters at Springfield for example. One episode took jabs at the Peanuts comic strip, with a movie poster titled, You're in the Matrix Charlie Brown; another one featured a headline for a film called Siskel and Ebert The Movie, and underneath that title is the punchline, Two Thumbs

Up- Siskel and Ebert. These humorous details are unique to the Simpsons and gives the show its flavor, something which the platformer game missed on as a whole. Comedic timings like that can be applied very well in an adventure game since the player spends a lot of time in one scene examining items, engaging with characters, and solving puzzles. Imagine the ways the writers can bring their jabs at a movie or a video game in the scenes, using posters, stores signs, and graffiti.

The world of Springfield has an ample supply of content suited for an adventure game

With already 19 seasons of the Simpsons, the vast selection of characters and settings in the show is huge, so the source material is there to give enough support for an adventure game. The scenes can build on familiar places in Springfield like Burn's mansion, Moe's bar, the Police Department, Springfield Elementary, Krusty's studio, and many others that are staples of the show.

Using the world of Springfield is a also great opportunity to put a pile of funny and original dialogues from the cast into the game. They all have their own unique quirks and lines, where they even can be categorized into separate roles for the game, as supporting characters, clowns, or villains.

The cartoon style should complement well

The simple style of the cartoon should translate well as either a 2D or 3D graphics adventure, with an appealing look that should be friendly and engaging for interaction with. The Simpsons Game has clean and smooth graphics, but the characters didn't animate like themselves from the show and lost some of the luster that made them unique. Having it as an adventure game instead can allow the developers to have an easier time to add more animations and personality to the Springfield residents, so that way through their body language, they can bring that energy and humor that feels like an episode from the Simpsons.

A perfect opportunity for episodic downloads

The popular British show Wallace and Gromit is now going into the adventure genre, building the series through episodic content. Wallace and Gromit has had plenty of amazing adventures throughout their series, along with a fine cast of supporting characters to build the game on too. The Simpsons can be the next Wallace and Gromit, as the episodic content approach complements with the strengths of the show. It won't be hard to come up with new stories with all the history that show has to offer. This direction also gives room for the developers not to crunch everything into one game, so it won't be rushed or unorganized.

The Simpsons adventure game can follow along the successful paths of Sam & Max and Nancy Drew, taking advantage of the features the genre offers. The Simpsons show fits like a glove because it's about the stories and the characters, so the puzzles and scenes should b a unique adventure. The show's comedy, from the slapstick to the satire, has appeal for people of all ages, as humor is much needed in an industry that like bombs and dark themes. A funny adventure game about one of the most popular television shows can draw plenty of interest from a diverse range of gamers. Like I said before, there's so many themes, plots, characters, and places in the Simpsons lore that can be spread around, added with new original content to make it a great series. It's one that's long overdue.