The Simpsons have taken over Monopoly Go! in a new collaboration that brings Springfield to the mobile game. The event features original storylines, animated shorts, themed mini-games, and dozens of characters, with involvement from the show's writers, animators, and voice actors.
A True Simpsons Episode
Loni Steele Sosthand, a co-executive producer for The Simpsons, describes the collaboration as 'a true Simpsons little episode.' The project involved months of work between Scopely, the developer of Monopoly Go!, and the show's creative team. Voice actors Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer, and Will Ferrell contributed to an animated short.
Why The Simpsons Suits Games
The Simpsons has a long history in video games, from arcade cabinets in the 1990s to open-world adventures like Hit & Run. Joe Zanetti, vice-president of operations at Scopely, traces his own nostalgia back to Konami's 1991 The Simpsons Arcade Game. He believes the show's rich world—with hundreds of characters and decades of jokes—makes it ideal for interactive formats.
'At heart it's a family show,' Sosthand says, explaining the franchise's flexibility across genres. The collaboration aimed to break the mold, Zanetti adds: 'It's not: This is our box. It's more: How can we break the box?'
Creative Involvement
Rather than simply licensing characters, Scopely worked directly with Simpsons writers, artists, and animators. The team paid attention to details, including characters like Rich Texan and Homer's pig Plopper. Cowboy Carl, from Sosthand's award-winning episode, also appears. Veteran animator Eric Keyes served as a quality controller, ensuring accuracy in details like eyelash counts.
A New Frontier
Live-service games like Monopoly Go! offer an endlessly expandable world, something television struggles to provide. The Simpsons has survived shifts from broadcast TV to streaming, and this collaboration shows its ability to adapt. The showdown between Mr Burns and Mr Monopoly feels natural, Zanetti says, as both are 'zeitgeist' figures.
The Simpsons season of Monopoly Go! runs until 29 July as a free download on iOS and Android.
