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Epic Mickey Details

Posted October 28, 2009 by David Radd

Disney Interactive Studios today officially sent out a release on Epic Mickey, as they describe it "an adventure-platforming game with light role-playing elements." The game re-imagines the Mickey Mouse character with the help of Junction Point and Warren Spector.

"Mickey is an adventurous and rambunctious mouse," said Warren Spector, creative director and vice president, Junction Point. "I want to bring his personality to the forefront, place him in a daunting world and connect his spirited character with video game players worldwide. Ultimately, each player decides for him- or herself what makes Mickey cool."

The game places heavy emphasis on Yen Sid's Cartoon Wasteland, where forgotten creations by Disney dwell. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit dwells there, growing envious of Mickey Mouse's growing fame, until happenstance pulls the mascot mouse into the Wasteland to confront the jealous Oswald.

"Having Warren combine creativity and innovation with one of the world's most famous characters takes Mickey back to his creative roots and allows fans to deepen their engagement with him as a character - especially in video games," said Graham Hopper, executive vice president and general manager of Disney Interactive Studios. "In addition to Warren's lifelong love of cartoons, films and comics, his visionary approach to game design and storytelling will make certain that this heroic tale of discovery and redemption resonates with Disney fans and gamers alike." 

Epic Mickey has players use the Wii Remote to use either magical paint or thinner on the environment. Depending on what they decide, the world, characters and Mickey's appearance and abilities will change.

"The core of this game is the idea of choice and consequence, and how that defines both the character and the player," says Spector. "By putting the mischievous Mickey in an unfamiliar place and asking him to make choices - to help other cartoon characters or choose his own path - the game forces players to deal with the consequences of their actions. Ultimately, players must ask themselves, ‘What kind of hero am I?' Each player will come up with a different answer."

As exciting as Epic Mickey sounds, we really think that the graphics could "pop" on an HD platform. As it turns out, the game started development on Xbox 360 and PS3. Spector told Official Nintendo Magazine, "The reality is that we started Wii development in 2008, but before that we were a PC, PS3, and 360 title." Spector recently explained the Wii exclusivity, noting that Mickey Mouse fits better with a Mario and Link audience rather than Halo and GTA. We respectfully disagree. As a suggestion, Disney could remaster the game and after a period of exclusivity on the Wii, sell it bundled with PS3's motion controller.

David Radd has worked as a gaming journalist since 2004 at sites such as GamerFeed, Gigex and GameDaily Biz.