Proto:The Simpsons Game (PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii)

This page details one or more prototype versions of The Simpsons Game (PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii).

This article is a work in progress. ...Well, all the articles here are, in a way. But this one moreso, and the article may contain incomplete information and editor's notes.

To do: Early and unused graphics. Early voicelines and sounds (tons of TTS placeholders). Debugging. Early Cliches.

July 6, 2007 (Wii)

Title screen

A build of The Simpsons Game for the Nintendo Wii was found and recovered from an EA RVT-H hard drive. It is dated July 6, 2007, which is around 3 months before final. Some aspects of this build are closer to the colloquially called New Generation (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360) version, and some are closer to the final Old Generation version, which means comparisons in this page will be drawn towards both releases. There are plenty of things to unpack here.

Sub-Pages

Early Music

Level Differences

Data Management Textures

The textures for the game in Data Management of the Wii console are simple placeholders.

Development Scripts

The root of the disc contains 8 batch scripts from internal development. The two starting with build have an option to fetch the latest assets from a Perforce depot.

build_moments_rpf.bat appears to be a script for copying assets for Wii Moments, and making a build of the game with them!

@echo off
set build_rpf_choice=
set /p build_rpf_choice=Get latest from Perforce [y/n]?

if not '%build_rpf_choice%'=='y' goto PACK

:SYNC
p4 -p PerforceArt:1666 sync "//depot/Project_Art/SimpsonsBranches/Alpha/Wii_Release/..."


:PACK

REM Ensure the directories exist

mkdir l:\SimpsonsBranches\Alpha\Wii_Moments
cd l:\SimpsonsBranches\Alpha\Wii_Moments
mkdir envs
mkdir Graphics
mkdir GUIMenu
mkdir HomeButton
mkdir misc\menu
mkdir sounds

REM Copy the latest assets over.

copy l:\SimpsonsBranches\Alpha\Wii_Release\envs\wm* envs\
copy l:\SimpsonsBranches\Alpha\Wii_Release\Graphics\* Graphics\
copy l:\SimpsonsBranches\Alpha\Wii_Release\GUIMenu\* GUIMenu\
copy l:\SimpsonsBranches\Alpha\Wii_Release\HomeButton\* HomeButton\
copy l:\SimpsonsBranches\Alpha\Wii_Release\misc\* misc\
copy l:\SimpsonsBranches\Alpha\Wii_Release\misc\menu\* misc\menu\
copy l:\SimpsonsBranches\Alpha\Wii_Release\sounds\GmSnd.asrbe sounds\
copy l:\SimpsonsBranches\Alpha\Wii_Release\Simpsons_Wii.elf .\

REM Clear the old image
del Simpsons_Wii_Moments.rpf

REM Do the image setup

call setndenv DvdRoot L:/SimpsonsBranches/Alpha/Wii_Moments
call %REVOLUTION_SDK_ROOT%\X86\bin\setcountrycode us
call %REVOLUTION_SDK_ROOT%\X86\bin\setsmem2size 64
call ndrun Simpsons_Wii.elf
call ndstop


REM Now create it.

rdpack -d Simpsons_Wii.dlf -v Simpsons_Wii_Moments.rpf

REM Reset file serving directory

call setndenv DvdRoot L:\SimpsonsBranches\Alpha\Wii_Release\

pause

build_rpf.bat is a script to build the game with all assets.

@echo off
set build_rpf_choice=
set /p build_rpf_choice=Get latest from Perforce [y/n]?

if not '%build_rpf_choice%'=='y' goto PACK

:SYNC
p4 -p PerforceArt:1666 sync "//depot/Project_Art/SimpsonsBranches/Alpha/Wii_Release/..."


:PACK
del Simpsons_Wii.rpf

call setndenv DvdRoot L:/SimpsonsBranches/Alpha/Wii_Release
call %REVOLUTION_SDK_ROOT%\X86\bin\setcountrycode us
call %REVOLUTION_SDK_ROOT%\X86\bin\setsmem2size 64
call ndrun Simpsons_Wii.elf
call ndstop
rdpack -d Simpsons_Wii.dlf -v Simpsons_Wii.rpf

set build_rpf_choice=

:END

pause

make_simpsons_image.bat is simply a script to make the game image. Nothing too fancy.

makemaster Simpsons_Wii_Image.dlf Simpsons_Wii_Image.rvm
pause

Run_Before_Makemaster.bat appears to be a script to run first before using the above script.

call setsmem2size 64
call setcountrycode us

NdevRun Simpsons_Wii.elf

call sleep 1

call ndstop

REM C:\cygwin\bin\bash --login -i -c "makemaster l:/SimpsonsBranches/Alpha/Wii_Release/Simpsons_Wii.dlf l:/SimpsonsBranches/Alpha/Wii_Release/Simpsons_Wii.rvm"

pause

run_simpsons.bat appears to be a simple script to run the game on a development Wii console, nothing too special.

ndrun Simpsons_Wii.elf
pause

RVM generator - part 2.bat appears to be a script to make the game image. Only this file is present so whatever is in a possible part 1 batch script will be a mystery unsolved.

ndstop
pause
setsmem2size 64
pause
setcountrycode us
pause
ndevrun -d=Simpsons_Wii.ddf Simpsons_Wii.elf
pause
bash makemaster Simpsons_Wii.dlf simpsons.rvm

stop_simpsons.bat appears to be a simple script to stop the development Wii console, nothing too special.

ndstop
pause

update_elf.bat appears to be a script to update the game executable.

del Simpsons_Wii.elf
copy ..\Wii_Executables\Simpsons_Wii_MWC_rel.elf Simpsons_Wii.elf
pause

General Differences

Debug Screen

This build by default loads into a debug screen, letting you choose whether you want to "Enable proper menu flow" or not. Choosing No Way will proceed you into a 2nd debug screen, which allows selecting a level to load on the spot.

Episode Names

Some episodes use a different name that only survived into the final build through filenames and nothing else. Some episode names only differ in capitalisation or spelling changes.

Early name	Final name
Land of Chocolate	The Land of Chocolate
BartMan Begins	Bartman Begins
Around the world in 80 bytes	Around The World in 80 Bites
The TreeHugger	Lisa the Tree Hugger
Cheater Cheater	Enter the Cheatrix
Day of the Dolphins	The Day of the Dolphin
The day Springfield stood still	Invasion of the Yokel-Snatchers
Big Super Happy Fun Fun	Big Super Happy Fun Fun Game
Rhymes with Complaining	Five Characters in Search of an Author
Meet Thy Player	Game Over

Controls

Switch Characters

Proto	Final
Plus Button	C Button

Power Attack

Proto	Final
B Button, B Button, Shake Wiimote	Shake Wiimote and Nunchuck

Homerball Dash/Slam

Proto	Final
B Button/Shake Wiimote	Shake Wiimote

Helium Homer Boost

Proto	Final
B Button/Shake Wiimote	Shake Wiimote

Activate/Exit Homerball

Proto	Final
C Button	Minus Button

Activate/Exit Gummi Homer

Proto	Final
Shake Nunchuck	Plus Button

Bartman Grappling Hook

Proto	Final
Shake Nunchuck	Shake Wiimote

Checklist

The Land of Chocolate

Early	Final
Follow the white rabbit Destroy the Marge Fountains Climb the Cake and Eat the White Rabbit Use Homerball to defeat the chocolate rabbits	Follow the White Rabbit through the village Climb the cake and eat the White Rabbit Use Homer Ball to defeat the chocolate bunnies

Bartman Begins

Early	Final
Use Bart to find a way across the chasm Find the secret entrance to the museum Drop the dinosaur on Dolph Lure Kearney Through the Diorama Scare Jimbo off the UFO Defeat Jimbo	Use Bart to find a way across the chasm Find the secret entrance to the museum Drop the dinosaur bones on Dolph Frighten Kearney through the diorama Defeat Kearney Scare Jimbo off the UFO Defeat Jimbo

Around the World in 80 Bites

Early	Final
Find and smash the super-sized taco Find a way to open the door to Scotland Find and smash the super-sized meatball Find and smash the super-sized burger	Use Homer Ball to get into Australia Find and smash the super taco Get Bart to the top of the Eiffel Tower Reach the lever to open the gate to Scotland Find a way to open the gate to Scotland Smash the super meatball Get Homer into America Destroy the Statue of Liberty and smash the super burger

Lisa the Treehugger

Early	Final
Re-attach the tree stumps! Sabotage the log conveyor Use the giant barrels to destroy the log dispenser Get Lisa across the river Save Lenny and Carl Destroy the factory	Enter the Auntie Nature logging operation Dismantle the logging machinery Ride the conveyor Find a way to the river Open the floodgates Reconfigure the factory pipes Save Lenny and Carl

Mob Rules

Early	Final
Destroy the Grand Theft Scartchy advertising Clear a path for the mob Build a brige Deactivate the electric sign Build a ramp Destroy the Grand Theft Scratchy statue Force Mayor Quimby to leave the Town Hall	Destroy 3 Grand Theft Scratchy floats Clear a path for the mob Destroy 2 Grand Theft Scratchy floats Build a bridge Find and destroy 2 billboards Destroy 3 Grand Theft Scratchy floats Get the mob to the Town Square Destroy the Grand Theft Scratchy statue Flush out Mayor Quimby

Enter the Cheatrix

Early	Final
Rescue Professor Frink Collect missing pieces of Game Manual Follow Stubborn Ape Get to the next warp pipe Find the exit pipe Activate the exit pipe Catch Stubborn Ape Use Lisa's new Bduhha Powers to defeat Stubborn Ape	Follow the Ape Activate the exit pipe Find the exit pipe Cross the Marketing slime Get to the next warp pipe Catch Stubborn Ape Use Lisa's new Buddha Powers to defeat Stubborn Ape

Day of the Dolphin

Early	Final
Regroup with Captain McAllister Find a way to enter the Aquarium Defeat King Snorky	Get past the boathouse Cross the dolphin-infested pier Find a way to enter the aquarium Defeat King Snorky

Invasion of the Yokel-Snatchers

Early	Final
Rescue Cletus Get to the tractor beam Destroy the security cameras Turn off the tractor beam	Get to the tractor beam Rescue Cletus Disable the alien portals Turn off the tractor beam

NeverQuest

Early	Final
Stop Selmatty before she burns down 3 buildings Find the dragon's lair Reach the switch to open the gates Find the keys to open the gold doors Cross the chasm Find the switch to open the Dragon Gate Defeat Selmatty	Stop the Dragon before she burns down 3 buildings Find a way through the great hall Collect the keys to open the gold doors Cross the chasm Open the Dragon Gate and enter the lair Slay the Dragon

Grand Theft Scratchy

Early	Final
Clean up all the buildings Destroy support wires on suspended highway Change the music inside the radio station Build bridge to connect islands Clean up the store & the two trucks Protect the ice cream trucks Destroy Poochie's rap stage	Clean up 7 buildings Destroy support wires on suspended highway Clean up the next 9 structures Build a bridge to connect the islands Clean up the store and the two trucks Protect the ice cream trucks Destroy Poochie's stage

Medal of Homer

Early	Final
Collect all of the surrender flags Sabotage the anti-aircraft guns Get to Montgomery Burns	Rendezvous with Grandpa Simpson and Private Burns Collect all of the surrender flags Reach Private Burns

Big Super Happy Fun Fun Game

Early	Final
Free Mr. Sparkle from the Dirt Sumos Find Jimbo Defeat Jimbo's Sparklemon Find Ralph Defeat Ralph's Sparklemon Find Sherri and Terri Prevent Sky Sumos from shutting down the Airship Defeat Sherri and Terri's Sparklemon	Reach the village Find and place three lanterns to free Mr. Sparkle Find the Well of Fire Capture Jimbo's Sparklemon Find the Well of Ice Capture Ralph's Sparklemon Board the airship Prevent Sky Sumos from shutting down the airship Capture Sherri and Terri's Sparklemon

Five Characters in Search of an Author

Early	Final
Find the mansion's front door Ring the 'front door bell' Defeat the Creator: Matt Groening	Find the mansion's front door Ring the 'front door bell' Find Matt Groening's office Defeat Matt Groening

Game Over

Early	Final
Defeat Shakespeare Open the gates to the hot spa Build a coffee shop Enter God's apartment Win a dance-off with God	Defeat William Shakespeare Cross the clouds Open the side gates Find a way through the steam baths Build a coffee shop Defeat Benjamin Franklin Enter God's apartment Win a Dance Dance Revelation dance-off with God

Special Challenges

When selecting levels in the Episode Replay there's an extra option to do a special challenge, (which was present in the New-Gen version but not in the final Old-Gen version) but it just loads the level like normal.

Extras

In the Extras Menu there are 2 cut options, "Stats" and "Interiors". Only "Interiors" can be selected and shows locations that are also seen in the PS3/Xbox 360 version.

Berserk Ability

This needs some investigation. Discuss ideas and findings on the talk page. Specifically: Find out if Bart can actually do this ability.

If you have enough power, you can do an ability not seen in the final called "Berserk" which doubles your attack power for a short while. For some reason Bart is the only character that doesn't have this ability.

Homer	Lisa

Marge

Unused Map & Interiors

This build has a bunch of interiors and an early design of Springfield in the form of a cut and unused bowling minigame. The interiors can at least still be found in the New Generation release.

Test Map

There are two similar test maps named Metrics.wii and M_and_L.wii. They differ in some objects and characters that get spawned and the characters you get to control. Metrics is played with Homer and Bart, and M_and_L lets you play as Marge and Lisa.

Metrics.wii	M_and_L.wii

Church Interior

The church looks mostly the same, the main difference being a missing desk by the main door, different floor color and there being only one staircase in the main room. Chur_Int.wii

Early interior	Final interior

Krusty Burger Interior

Similar to final, but lacking the 2nd fryer behind the counter. It also has Jimbo Jones in the building, whereas in the final New gen version only the Squeaky-Voiced Teen. KRUS_INT.wii

Early interior	Final interior

Kwik-E-Mart Interior

The main difference in the Kwik-E-Mart is a missing shelf and some other objects. KWIK_INT.wii

Early interior	Final interior

Moe's Interior

Objects on the tables such as glasses have actual transparency in this build. In the final version they're opaque. Moes_Int.wii

Early interior	Final interior

Police Station Interior

There are no buttons to open the jail cells. Using the Player > FlyPlayerWithoutCollisions option through the debug menu shows that there is no collision inside those cells yet. POL_INT.wii

Early interior	Final interior

Heartburn/Springfield

Heartburn, also known as Homer Bowling, is a cut minigame where you play with the Homerball, go through a track and end by crashing into a pile of Springfield citizens. It also happens to use an early layout of open-world Springfield. There are many changes found here, but this will just show some of the main recognisable buildings.

Note: Since this map also has a bunch of stuff like barriers meant for the bowling minigame, the Wii screenshots are taken using the Player > FlyCamera debug option inside the game, to get a better view.

Entrance

This door which you can't enter in the final game is accessible and takes you to the HeartBurn minigame.

Hospital Location

Near the Simpsons house there's an extra road that leads to the Springfield General Hospital which doesn't exist in the final game. It is fully removed and replaced by the Springfield Retirement Castle.

Early location	Final location

Moe's Location

Early location	Final location

Springfield Bank Location

Early location	Final location

Early Graphics

Episode Replay

The in-game level select uses early Xbox 360 screenshots as preview images, and some of them remained somewhat similar to what the retail New Generation release had. Five of these survived hidden in the final game, but the rest didn't. They're stored in Frontend.wii\graphics\ui\menus\levels\ as single 512x256 textures, but in the final game they are stored in Frontend.wii\graphics\frontend\ as 256x256 textures, with two of the preview textures combined together. They have been split apart for this.

Early Texture	Final Texture (New-Gen)	Final Texture (Old-Gen)
loc.tga	episode_loc.png	lvl_locnbmb.bmp
bartmanbegins.tga	episode_bartman_begins.png	lvl_locnbmb.bmp
80bites.tga	episode_80_bites.png	lvl_mtp.bmp
treehugger.tga	episode_tree_hugger.png	lvl_thnmob.bmp
mobrules.tga	episode_mob_rules.png	lvl_thnmob.bmp
cheatercheater.tga	episode_cheater.png	lvl_ccndod.bmp
dod.tga	episode_dolphin.png	lvl_ccndod.bmp
colossaldonut.tga	episode_colossal_donut.png	lvl_shdndds.bmp
dsss.tga	episode_spr_stood_still.png	lvl_shdndds.bmp
bargainbin.tga	episode_bargain_bin.png	lvl_bargnnvq.bmp
neverquest.tga	episode_neverquest.png	lvl_bargnnvq.bmp
gts.tga	episode_grand_theft.png	lvl_gtsnmoh.bmp
moh.tga	episode_moh.png	lvl_gtsnmoh.bmp
bshff.tga	episode_bshff.png	lvl_bshnrwc.bmp
rhymes.tga	episode_rhymes.png	lvl_bshnrwc.bmp
meetthyplayer.tga	episode_thy_player.png	lvl_mtp.bmp

Button Prompts

Early Texture	Final Texture

Loading Icon

• The Krusty Loading Icon is also used in a E3 Build of the New-Gen version.

Early Texture	Final Texture

Locked Beer Bottle

Early Texture	Final Texture

Day of the Dolphin/Shadow of the Colossal Donut Skybox

Early Texture	Final Texture

Land of Chocolate

Early Texture	Final Texture

Unused Graphics

PS2 Button Prompts

Early Videos

This needs some investigation. Discuss ideas and findings on the talk page. Specifically: Find out who are the placeholder voice actors, if possible.

This build only has one cutscene, which is an early draft of the Around The World in 80 Bites (80b_01.bik) cutscene. This cutscene, unlike the final game, was animated in 3D similar to the DS version instead of in 2D like the show, as well as having different lines and different camera angles. This early cutscene also contains the song "Oh Yeah" by Yello.

Early cutscene	Final cutscene

Every other cutscene uses the Rebellion logo as a placeholder. It can also be found in the final build as rebel.bik.