The Tanooki » Epic Mickey

Spector addresses Epic Mickey concept art/ screenshot differences

Jason Leavey — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:06:13 +0000

If you’ve been following the developments of Disney Epic Mickey, you were likely blown away by the initial concept art for the title. However, if you’ve seen some of the recent screenshots, you may have been stratching your head. Warren Spector addressed those corcerns when speaking with 1UP.

There are a couple aspects to that. I think I’ve mentioned before, that I’m a big believer in finding out where the line is by pushing past it. There are lines that are on every project; every project exists in a creative box. For most of my games, I create that box and the team has to sort of work within it. In this case, there’s a creative box that I create, and there’s the creative box that Disney overlays on that. I know where my lines are, but I don’t know where Disney’s are. I had a lot of stuff generated that was very specifically designed to be provocative and to cross that line. I know it’s too far — or is it? You tell me. So it forces a confrontation or a decision. Some of what you saw was beyond the line, and so I learned something from it. Some of it was early design ideas that are no longer relevant. Some of it is stuff that’s still in the game, and I’m not saying what.

I think I’m in the camp that thinks his concept designs were nothing short of jaw-droppingly gorgeous. I know much of the detailed in the concept art simply isn’t possible on Wii, but some of the screenshots we’ve seen seemed to be overly cartoonish. I’m hoping the game finds a common link between the two.

1UP

Warren Spector really wants to make a new DuckTales game

Christian Ponte — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:12:34 +0000

So the word is out, Warren Spector is making Epic Mickey. Old news. What you should really excited about is that he’s badly wanting to make a new DuckTales game. In a recent interview, Spector explains that when he first met with Disney, he was hoping he’d get to work with Huey, Dewey, Louie.

They asked if I would be interested in doing a licensed project. And I said, “Yeah, I’ve been wanting to do one.” I gave the design keynote at GDC in 2003 or 2004, about licenses and sequels, and how you can do creative stuff in that context. And so I was like, “Yeah! Give me Uncle Scrooge! Give me Duck Tales! Come on!”

…I want to do a Duck Tales game. Convince the world that a Duck Tales game needs to be made. I can’t convince anybody at Disney to let me do a Duck Tales game. How can that be?

I definitely remember and loved watching the cartoons as a kid, though I think I was a tad young to experience the height of its popularity (I was more of the Darkwing Duck generation). Still, I wouldn’t mind a new game. Who agrees?

GameInformer
via Joystiq

Epic Mickey, enemy vs. Mickey artwork

Jason Leavey — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:13:29 +0000

With the upcoming release of Game Informer’s November issue, which is promised to be chocked full of Epic Mickey details, gamers are craving more information about the Warren Spector title. A Junction Point sketch artist created the artwork above, showing Mickey face to face with an enemy Beetleworx. Mickey appears to look like his previous iterations than his more recent look. He also looks badass.

To watch a three-minute time lapse video of the creation, you can visit Game Informer’s website.

GameInformer via Kotaku

Epic Mickey to face nemisis Oswald the Rabbit, and other plot details revealed

Jason Leavey — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:06:07 +0000

More plot details about Warren Spector’s upcoming Wii title Epic Mickey have been announced. This game has a compelling, dark story that rivals that of any Disney film. The adventure dives into a world where “forgotten” Disney characters (and rides) reside. The leader of this world is none other than Oswald the Rabbit. For those who aren’t familiar with Disney history, Oswald was Walt Disney’s first creation, ultimately replaced for a lovable mouse.

Oswald’s jealousy towards Mickey has turned into revenge, where he unleashes The Phantom Blot to destroy the carefree Disney universe. More specifically, the Blot covers Mickey’s world with a black ink that destroys the colorful world we all know and love.

As we reported previously, Mickey is seen holding a paintbrush on the cover of November’s Game Informer magazine. It’s confirmed that Mickey will use a slew of artistic tools like erasers, pencils and brushes to save his world from Oswald’s damage.

Aside from the story sounding spectacular, the game may be a reason to bring Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (the best Disney ride ever) back into existence, even if it’s just to briefly show its demise.

Eurogamer

Wii exclusive Disney Epic Mickey finally revealed

Jason Leavey — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:47:44 +0000

As part of Game Informer’s redesign, the magazine’s website has leaked the cover of their November issue, and it’s all about the upcoming game titled Disney Epic Mickey. The cover shows a very dark look for Disney, showing what appears to be black paint splattered throughout. Mickey is also holding a paint brush, as he begins his trek towards the mysterious castle.

The game is set for a Wii exclusive release. Game Informer promises more information and screenshots with next week’s release of the November issue. It appears that a quality Mickey Mouse starring adventure game is finally happening.

GameInformer

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Details of “Epic Mickey” to arrive in October

Jason Leavey — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:28:42 +0000

Game Informer subscribers are well aware that a new Mickey Mouse Wii title will be revealed in the upcoming November issue, but that was just one part of the unveiling. Disney Interactive Entertainment will also be detailing all the goods, starting next month.

The speculation about this title is that the title will take a darker approach from the usual slap-happy world of the Magic Kingdom. All we know for certain, is by this time next month, Epic Mickey will be revealed.

Destructoid

Warren Spector’s “Epic Mickey” game may retroactively ruin your childhood

Rhody — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:06:52 +0000

The above image is a piece of concept art for Warren Spector’s Disney Wii project, named “Epic Mickey.” Yes, this is not only a Disney game, but a Mickey Mouse game. Judging from the pieces of concept art found on artist Fred Gambino’s website, it appears to be a pretty disturbing steampunk take on the classic Mickey Mouse characters. Images include a terrifying robotic monstrosity wearing Mickey Mouse ears, an elephant elevator/Bioshock splicer, a robotic zombie Goofy, and the most un-Phantom Blot-like Phantom Blot ever conceived. One particular feature common in a lot of the landscape pieces is a castle sitting on a plateau high above the rest of the world.

Now, keep in mind that none of these images were officially released, only leaked. They’re just concept art, so the end result may not look quite so disturbing. In fact, what exactly are the odds that Disney is ok with mutilating Goofy and putting him in a game that’s likely to disturb small children for life?

I’m looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

Joystiq