To be perfectly clear: enjoying Fortnite is completely valid. Plenty of people — including public figures like Chappell Roan — play and appreciate it. The game has undeniable merits and has left a major mark on gaming culture. That said, I’m not one of its fans, and I resent that accessing a faithful recreation of The Simpsons requires diving into a playstyle I don’t enjoy; the early seasons of that show remain some of my favorites.
For context, I generally avoid shooters. I prefer turn-based systems where I can think through decisions rather than frantic, reflex-driven combat. I already manage a fair amount of everyday anxiety — I don’t need a match full of strangers whose objective is to eliminate me. When the latest Fortnite update arrived I gave it a try, and almost immediately wished I hadn’t.
I landed near the Simpson residence because I wanted to explore it first-hand. The attention to detail in the house impressed me, and I found it amusing that an encounter with Marge was possible. I’d begun to enjoy poking around the environment when the ever-shrinking safe zone forced me to move on. That cycle — brief exploration followed by frantic combat and evacuation — repeated throughout the match.
If there were a way to explore Springfield without the constant threat of combat and the encroaching storm, I’d be much happier. Fortnite once offered a Battle Lab mode that let players roam freely, but Epic removed it in 2022. From what I can tell, the only straightforward way to access the Simpsons island without opposition in 2025 is by starting a private match, which typically requires membership in one of the game’s creator programs.
I’ve long wanted remakes of The Simpsons: Hit & Run and The Simpsons: Road Rage, so the Springfield map felt like the closest thing to those worlds I’ll get for now. The map is crafted with real care and obvious affection for the source material — which makes it all the more frustrating that the game’s mechanics keep me from fully enjoying it.
Source: Polygon
