Radical Vets Launch New Radical Games: Studio Details & Projects

PUBLISHED DATE: February 24, 2026

CATEGORY: pc

Key Takeaways

• Gaming veterans from Radical Entertainment (The Simpsons: Hit & Run, Prototype) and Hothead Games have launched a new studio, New Radical Games.
• Ian Wilkinson, co-founder of the original Radical, leads the charge as CEO, joined by Tim Bennison as COO.
• The new studio's website prominently features artwork from iconic Radical titles, including The Simpsons: Hit & Run, Prototype, and Crash Bandicoot games.
• New Radical Games is focusing on work-for-hire, co-development, porting, and remastering services, suggesting no new original IPs are immediately planned.
• A direct remake of a complex title like The Simpsons: Hit & Run seems unlikely given stated challenges, but the studio's existence fuels speculation, especially following a recent Prototype update.

The Devs Behind The Simpsons: Hit & Run and Prototype Are Back as a Sort-Of New, Just as Radical Studio

Well, gamers, dust off your nostalgia goggles because something interesting is brewing. From the digital ether, or more accurately, from the ashes of two studios with wildly different legacies, a new player has emerged: New Radical Games. Our seasoned eyes at In Game News have been tracking this, and while it's not a full-blown comeback tour for some of our most beloved titles, it's definitely worth a deep dive.

"From the ashes of developers Radical Entertainment and Hothead Games a sort of but not really new studio has been born: New Radical Games."

For those who've been around the block, the name Radical Entertainment conjures up immediate memories of some truly genre-defining experiences. We're talking the chaotic, open-world joy of The Simpsons: Hit & Run, a game that transcended its licensed origins to become a cult classic. Then there's the brutal, shapeshifting power fantasy of the Prototype series, which let us rip through cities as a biological weapon. They even dabbled with some Crash Bandicoot titles, for those who remember their platforming roots. These were games that pushed boundaries and delivered unique gameplay loops. On the other side, we have Hothead Games, a studio perhaps best remembered for titles like The Baconing. No disrespect, but it's clear which legacy carries more weight in the hearts of core gamers, and New Radical Games wisely chose to lean into that "Radical" moniker.

The Return of Veteran Leadership

This isn't just a new label slapped on an old outfit. Heading up New Radical Games is Ian Wilkinson, a name that should resonate with long-time fans. Wilkinson was one of the original co-founders of Radical Entertainment and, later, the former president of Hothead Games before its closure in December 2024. His LinkedIn profile already pegs him as CEO and President of New Radical Games since that same period. Joining him is Tim Bennison as COO, who previously served as studio director at Capcom Vancouver before moving to Hothead in 2020 as COO. This is a formidable leadership team with serious industry chops, proving that experience is still king in the dev world.

The unveiling wasn't a grand stage reveal, but a more subtle, yet effective, launch of a new website: NewRadical.ca. And what a website it is for old-school fans. It’s adorned with artwork from those iconic Radical titles – yes, Homer Simpson is running for his life right there, alongside nods to Prototype and their Crash Bandicoot work. It’s a smart play, leveraging the goodwill and recognition that comes with those fan-favorite games.

What's on the Horizon? Don't Bet on a Simpsons Remake (Yet)

Now for the big question: what are they actually making? The new studio's website explicitly states their focus: work for hire full game development, co-development, porting, and remastering. Our take? This reads like a studio looking to get established, leveraging their deep experience to help other developers or publishers. It's a solid business model, but it dampens the hopes of an immediate, ground-up original IP or a new entry in a beloved franchise.

Let's address the elephant in the room: a Simpsons: Hit & Run remake. While the thought sends shivers of excitement down our spines, the reality is likely far more complicated. As the source points out, wrangling the licensing and various rights for a game like that would be a Herculean task, even if the creative will was there. We wouldn't place any bets on a full remake hitting our PCs anytime soon. It's a shame, as a QoL update or even a minor remaster would likely sell like hotcakes.

However, the mention of "remastering" on their services page does tie into some recent chatter. Remember that odd Prototype update we saw last year on Steam, which seemed to add credits out of nowhere and kick off a wave of remaster speculation? It makes us wonder if New Radical Games might have had a hand in that, or if it was a precursor to their formation. The timing isn't entirely coincidental, and it suggests they're not just looking backwards, but also at the current market for revitalized classics.

So, while we might not be getting The Simpsons: Hit & Run 2: Homer's Revenge tomorrow, the return of this experienced talent under the New Radical Games banner is unequivocally good news for the industry. Their expertise in work-for-hire, co-development, and especially porting and remastering, could mean that other dormant classics or even contemporary titles get the polish and expanded platform presence they deserve. We'll be keeping a close eye on their projects, hoping that some of that radical spirit manifests in their future endeavors.