A potential revival of The Simpsons: Hit & Run, the 2003 open-world game that garnered a cult following, has been hinted at by series creator Matt Groening. At Disney's D23 event, Groening suggested that the original game might be making a comeback in some capacity, stating, "I think the original game is coming back in some form." This remark was met with enthusiasm from the audience, though series producer Matt Selman interjected with a cautionary "Or not," implying Groening may have spoken prematurely. Selman did, however, agree that a new Hit & Run game "would certainly be a treat."
This is not the first time a revival has been discussed. In March, Selman acknowledged the game's enduring popularity and expressed a "never say never" attitude towards a potential return. He admitted that he "had no idea" the game would become such a success and previously told IGN in 2021 that he "would love" to see a remaster.
However, Selman also pointed to significant hurdles for any such project, citing the "complicated corporate octopus" involved. The original cast of The Simpsons voiced their characters for Hit & Run, and re-licensing or re-recording their performances for a new game would likely be a considerable expense. Furthermore, Disney's acquisition of Fox's entertainment assets, including The Simpsons, since the original game's release adds another layer of complexity regarding stakeholder approvals. The original developer, Radical Entertainment, also closed in 2012, though one of its founders has since established New Radical Games, a studio that offers porting and remastering services.
During the D23 panel, Groening also recalled the development of 2001's The Simpsons: Road Rage. He mentioned that executives were concerned the title might incite real-world road rage, but the game's positive reception and sales alleviated those concerns. He also noted that Road Rage's concept, heavily inspired by Sega's Crazy Taxi, was resolved through a financial agreement with Crazy Taxi's lawyers to avoid copyright issues.