Many creators and players believe that the main aspect of gaming should be creativity. Indeed, one creator in particular embodies that. Tim Schafer, the founder of Double Fine Productions, has expressed an interest in bringing the “Treehouse Of Horror” concept from The Simpsons into the world of gaming. The idea would be to create spin-off games using the IPs of more serious titles. It’s unknown whether Tim Schafer already has something in development. All the same, his idea already has players wondering about the possibilities.
Tim Schafer’s “Treehouse Of Horror”
Tim Schafer rose to fame with his creative take on the afterlife in Grim Fandango, a game considered by many to be one of the best games of all time. Leading Double Fine studios, Schafer went on to help create a catalog of eclectic games and now wants to try out the “Treehouse Of Horror” idea. This concept was introduced in The Simpsons cartoon series as their Halloween special and continues to this day. In his interview with NME, Schafer claimed that he wishes to use this idea to “expand the audience [the game industry] caters to.” He’s most interested in trying out this concept with more dramatic and serious IPs like The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim.
The Double Fine team has had many unusual and creative hits like the Psychonauts series, and Broken Age, but Schafer’s “Treehouse Of Horror” pitch would definitely be a new direction. This Simpsons episode premise serves as a parody or satire of horror films. The episode typically contains three separate stories following the Simpsons family in different horror scenarios. They’re standalone episodes that are non-canon and simply done for the purposes of entertainment. If the spoof-like nature of this idea can come to gaming, it would have the potential to create a series of short, creative, and possibly humorous takes on some of the bigger game titles currently in play.
“Treehouse Of Horror” is a staple of The Simpsons, but what if it became a staple of gaming? This is what Tim Schafer is proposing and only time will tell how he will pursue it.