The Simpsons: Tapped Out is getting a Halloween-themed update featuring content from Treehouse of Horrors. According to EA, “EA worked directly with The Simpsons’ award winning writers, producers and animators to integrate distinctive content between the TV show and game. As part of the update, game players will collect artifacts that help them unlock a trivia question about the episode. Then by watching the episode, they will see the answer which will help them complete an in-game quest.”
It’s every broadcaster’s dream to integrate television with new forms of technology as a way to keep people attached to their programming. Sadly, a lot of people in the television business don’t really get the internet, gaming, or mobile devices, which is why they don’t do the things everyone wants them to do, like allow live streaming of their shows online. They will, however, integrate their stuff into an app because that sounds young and new. Or to use a bit of favored corporatey parlance, “innovative.” And they wonder why piracy just won’t go away.
The Simpsons: Tapped Out is distinct from other apps on the marketplace because it is, “the only game on the iTunes App Store to integrate with a current hit TV show.” I believe there are Dexter and Big Bang Theory apps, but we’ll let that slide. They’ve added this content because Treehouse of Horror is always the highest rated Simpsons episode, and because Halloween provides a new backdrop for gameplay. Players will be able to ride a broom with Marge the Witch, incubate zombies in the Springfield Cemetery, or make a “diddily deal” with Ned Flanders. Yeah, that last one made me cringe too.
The Simpsons: Tapped Out is available for free in the app store.
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