When it comes to remastering classic video games, fans don't always want to wait for the studios themselves to put out the content, and would rather give it a go off their own back. This is exactly what happened with 2003's The Simpsons: Hit and Run, when a fan decided to remaster the open-world parody game using the Unreal Engine, and they did it all in just one week. As impressive a feat as it was, a recent development has come to light, in which the remaster's creator has decided to remove the project from Patreon.

It was just a few days ago when user Reuben "Reubs" Ward managed to recreate the opening mission of The Simpsons: Hit and Run, using aspects from the original, but spicing it up with some image upscaling, new animations, and ray tracing. However, according to a recent report from Eurogamer, the modder has decided to remove it over copyright concerns. The reason for doing so is not due to any legal action that's come their way, but in order to keep their YouTube channel "in good standing order."

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It seems as though Reubs has been anticipating some backlash from official sources over their Hit and Run remake, and so has simply opted to take it down from Patreon as a safety measure. It's understandable why they've done this. Many fans have found their uploaded content hit with copyright strikes. A couple of months ago, a fan remake of Goldeneye built in Far Cry 5 was removed by Ubisoft, although the maps have since been re-uploaded under a new name. Reubs is seemingly just being cautious, not wanting to get a call from any publisher's lawyers.

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It's a bit of a shame that The Simpsons game has yet to have an official remake or even a remaster. Of all the classic games out there, Hit and Run is the one fans are most keen to see be given new life. Given that the original is now 18 years old, it seems as though it's ripe for a remaster, and it's clear that the community is screaming out for one.

Even The Simpsons showrunners are interested in a remaster, saying that people on the inside would love to see the game make a triumphant return, although actualizing it would apparently be quite difficult. Perhaps one day it will happen, but for now, people like Reubs can continue to show the world what a remaster could look like, even if they do end up removing the project in the end.

The Simpsons: Hit and Run is out on PS2, original Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, and PC.

MORE: Is The Simpsons: Hit and Run Remake Actually Happening?

Source: Eurogamer