THE SIMPSON'S CARTOON STUDIO

Reviewed By: Carole Stewart McDonnell
VOLUNTEER GUEST REVIEWER

GAME TECH INFO

Computer Platform: PC, MAC
Produced by: Fox Interactive
Price Range: $18-35
Learning curve time: 30 min.
Age level: 6+
ESRB Rating: Kids to Adults
System Requirements: PC 486SX 33 MHz+, Win 3.1 or 95, 8 MB RAM (16 MB recommended), 13 MB of hard disk space, SVGA 640 x 480 display or higher, 256 colors, 2X or faster CD-ROM, Sound board, plus speakers or headphones to hear audio

Genre: Instructional
Christian Rating: 3 of 5
   (some objectionable elements)
Gameplay: 5 of 5
   (excellent)
Violence: 3 of 5
   (mild)
Adult Content: 3 of 5
   (mild)

The same mischief, animated violence, and suggestiveness that is found in the cartoon program “The Simpson's” can be found on this CD. Except that the game-player has the chance of actually creating the animation. There are animated props, backgrounds of Springfield locations, sound effects, and voice clips and editing buttons. Your child can create an entire Simpsons program if he or she wanted.

This is a creative game which brings to mind the issue of temptation and responsibility and whether or not our children --good Christian that they are-- can be trusted once our backs are turned. A child may create a video that is quite innocent or quite mean-spirited. Some of the animation clips are fairly mean-spirited.

Screenshot from 'The Simpsons Cartoon Studio'. Illustration copyrighted.

How are we to tell a child to avoid using those icons? What child will listen? For some, the idea of Bart kicking Homer might be too tempting a choice to pass over. In this way, this game is very much like choosing a television show or roaming the Internet. One never quite knows what a child will do when her parents' back is turned.

The game is so easy to use and it is the only game I know which let's you make your own cartoon. I'm so glad that a game like this came out.
—Stas Sotto, age 16

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this Christian Spotlight review are those of the reviewer (both ratings and recommendations), and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Films for Christ or the Christian Answers Network.