The Tanooki » Epic Mickey

Video: “Designing The World” of Epic Mickey

Holly Green — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 04:18:13 +0000

This video comes with interesting timing for me, as I only fired up Epic Mickey last night. Even though I’d already once played through the beginning (at PAX 2010), I still had to take a moment and marvel at the mash up of the different art styles incorporated throughout. In the footage above, you’ll hear Warren Spector discuss where the inspiration to do so, and how they brought together 80 years worth of Disney art to create their thematic imagery.

In other Epic Mickey news, Disney has announced that the official soundtrack will be released for download. You can pick up the 20 track compilation from iTunes and other digital outlets starting December 21.

Epic Mickey is out for the Wii in stores now! Be sure to keep an eye out for the upcoming Tanooki review.

Video: Visit Epic Mickey’s “Disney-scape” with Warren Spector

Holly Green — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:47:24 +0000

Disney’s Epic Mickey thus far has stunned us with their masterful inclusion of a world of Disney characters new and old. Now that we’ve heard from the team on the selection and writing process for these beloved cartoon figures, we can focus on the setting for the game, which makes amazing use of vivid color and imagery to maximize the Wii’s graphic capabilities. In the video above, you’ll hear Warren Spector talk about some of the influences into the aesthetic, including the Disney theme park itself, and what he imagines Walt Disney himself might have envisioned for a magical world filled with forgotten characters. Check it all out in the footage above.

Epic Mickey debuts at the end of this month, November 30 exclusively on the Wii.

Video: Warren Spector discusses the character selection of Epic Mickey

Holly Green — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 02:46:02 +0000

This new video explores the world of Disney’s misfits and long forgottens, central to the story behind Epic Mickey. Familiarize yourself with these characters, and learn the reasons behind Warren Spector’s casting decisions, when you watch the footage above. Hearing him discuss the concept of a cartoon’s “heart” (that only those who have an audience who loves them will have the stir of a beating heart, leaving those in the Wasteland without one) might just break your heart, so prepare to fight off the desire to fire up some old Disney movies by the end. On a side note, isn’t it refreshing to see someone not only so well versed in their subject material going into a game, but also a passion? The love for Disney that Spector has cannot be denied!

Epic Mickey comes out November 30, 2010 in North America, November 25 in Europe, exclusively on the Nintendo Wii.

Go behind the scenes of Epic Mickey’s story with Warren Spector

Holly Green — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:50:20 +0000

Possibly one of the most enchanting features of the game, the tale told in Epic Mickey is one that Disney has emphasized heavily; the E3 and PAX trailers focused mostly on the set-up for Mickey’s descent into cartoon chaos while revealing little of the gameplay. In this video, you’ll hear Warren Spector discuss some of the creative collaboration with Disney and how they inventively brought together Disney’s past and present while deftly incorporating the themes of art and animation. You’ll also see one dapper embroided button up jean shirt, which let’s face it, is worth the price of admission.

Epic Mickey debuts November 30, only on the Wii.

Epic Mickey release date revealed as November 30

Holly Green — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:42:57 +0000

Spotted in Entertainment Weekly and confirmed from Disney is the release date for upcoming Wii title Epic Mickey. Mickey’s magical adventure splashes onto the Wii starting November 30, with CVG independently confirming a November 25 date in Europe, and November 26 in the UK. Above is the latest epic reveal trailer, giving you a glimpse of just some of footage the Tanooki staff has seen at this summer’s various conventions, but you can get some more details from my Epic Mickey first impressions review from PAX 2010 by clicking here.

Joystiq

PAX 2010: First impressions Epic Mickey

Holly Green — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:38:08 +0000

At this past weekend’s PAX I was very lucky to get my hands on Epic Mickey, one of my favorite games to be shown off at E3 2010. Set in a cartoon void created by a series of Mickey mishaps, our hero must gain the trust of his half brother Oswald the Rabbit and fight against the Phantom Blot, a menace of his own accidental creation, in order to save the Wasteland.

As you may have read, the tools you’re given in Epic Mickey are paint and paint thinner, used on objects and aspects of the environment in order to reach your goals. While I previously wondered how this would really “work”, they’ve actually set it up quite nicely. On the left, your thinner can be used to combat enemies and erase anything painted into existence in the Wasteland. On the right, your stream of paint can be used to bring items and areas to life, marked by a handy silhouette indicating where to aim. Both will run out and recharge after a time, but they can be refilled by busting into the local pots and treasure chests to find more. Triggering various mechanisms is as easy as spinning your Wii Remote, though don’t expect to be able to do it with your Nunchuk (this was cause for embarrassment during the demo, which I handily blamed on “too much” Super Mario Galaxy. Ha. Lies. No such thing as too much). Overall, there wasn’t much, if any, issue with controls and they were simple enough to learn.

While the main opening area I was playing in was your typical 3D style play, I was soon launched into a 2D-ish side scrolling level, where you jumped from leaf to leaf as you climbed a certain beanstalk. It actually reminded me of World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, the old Sega game I loved as a kid. The game also features somewhat of a morality system, with side missions, power ups, and character interactions opening up depending on your karmic reputation. Goals can be achieved with a little bit of moral freedom, with entire battle bosses said to be avoidable through certain interactions.

So how does it look? They’ve done a fantastic job with the polygon limitations of the Wii, and their hard work shows. The seams are a tiny bit more visible than they would be on a game with a brighter palette, like New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but it’s still good. It will definitely go down as one of the better looking titles in the Wii library. Not only for the graphics but also for the art direction. Their execution of the theme is masterful, immersing the character into a world defined by cels and splashes of paint, from the environments to the story to the controls. I’m stunned and continuously pleased by their incorporation of so much Disney lore into one game. From Oswald the Rabbit, one of Disney’s first scrapped characters in the black and white era, to the inclusion of worlds and characters nigh-forgotten to everyone outside the Disney’s most rabid fan circles, it’s clear they’ve put an enormous amount of effort into incorporating as much of Disney’s past as they can. I remember being very impressed during the initial presentation at E3 2010 with their “Steamboat Willie” special level, a side scrolling affair that made creative use of the classic cartoon’s aesthetic, and thinking to myself, “This is what a Mickey Mouse game was always supposed to be”. Having now played it at PAX 2010, my comment stands.

Below you’ll find a gallery of pictures from the booth, as well as a gallery of screen shots. Above, a behind the scenes video with creative director Warren Spector.

Toys ‘R Us listing reveals Epic Mickey Collector’s Edition

Holly Green — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:37:06 +0000

I guess our old friend Mickey isn’t content to recolor your world inside the Wii. He’s going for the outside too! In this newly revealed Epic Mickey Collector’s Edition, which first appeared on Toys ‘R Us’ online store, Mickey paints up your Nintendo console with custom faceplates for your Wii Remote and a pair of skins for your Wii. The bundle will also include a retail copy of the game, a 5″ Mickey Mouse figurine, and a behind the scenes DVD with “additional marketing assets and videos”. And the special packaging, of course.

Epic Mickey paints a blue streak ‘cross your Wii sometime in Winter 2010. The Collector’s Edition will retail for $69.99, presumably at the same time.

Toys ‘R Us
via Joystiq

Spector backtracks with Epic Mickey’s “Scrapper” omission?

Jason Leavey — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:58:55 +0000

When Epic Mickey was first revealed as part of an exclusive Game Informer feature (in the November 2009 issue), gamers were shown many of the game’s characters, environments and features. The paintbrush and paint thinner mechanics were details, the Wasteland of fan favorite rides and forgotten characters was mentioned, and the three Mickeys were introduced. “Scrapper Mickey” is an oddly hued, darker character, “Wastelander Mickey” is a middle of the road adventurer, and “Hero Mickey” is there to save the day. The creation of these Mickeys was, as creative director Warren Spector “demanded” (as the article put it) to have a character that alters based on the player’s action.

After E3, fans noted that Scrapper Mickey was not in the playable demo on the show floor. Spector responded that the Scrapper idea was nixed due to focus testing where complaints were made that Mickey Mouse should visually always stay the same recognizable character. Now, Spector is backing off those comments as a reason for Scrapper’s omission.

1UP spoke to Spector at Gamescom, where he made some noteworthy statements about the development of Epic Mickey’s lead character. “About three years ago when we first started thinking about this, we did over a thousand versions of Mickey, I’m assuming this is where this started,” said Spector. “So we did a focus test because I had a thousand different looks for the character and people just said ‘don’t mess with Mickey.’”

“People must have just put two and two together; ‘focus tested in 2007 and a statement I made personally and creatively in November of last year, and they put two and two together,” Spector continued. “The idea of Scrapper Mickey went away because I didn’t like it. There was no focus test.”

As we noted however, the November Game Informer issue was released in mid October of 2009, which featured the introduction of the Scrapper Mickey character. So in less than one month’s time, it’s surely possible Spector changed his mind about having different Mickeys. Or, Disney nixed the idea of players controlling a menacing purple and green Mickey Mouse. But if anything, we can be sure that a focus group was not the reason for the deletion of Scrapper Mickey. “…I have never and I will never, make a design chance as a result of a focus test,” said Spector. “I will quit if that happens.”

1UP
GameInformer

Warren Spector still keen on making DuckTales game

Jason Leavey — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:50:04 +0000

Warren Spector has his plate full, currently putting the finishing touches on this fall’s Disney Epic Mickey for Wii. But that doesn’t stop the mastermind from planning future projects. Aside from ideas for two additional titles in the Epic Mickey series (depending on sales, of course) Spector has his sights set on another Disney property; DuckTales — “woo, hoo.”

Here’s an exerpt from a recent interview between IndustryGamers.com and Spector about his love for all things Duck.

A day does not go by where I don’t tell somebody at Disney: “Gimme the ducks. Gimme the ducks! Uncle Scrooge, come on! Donald! Huey, Dewey, and Louie! Come on, let me do a duck game!” So yeah, I would love to do a duck game. Uncle Scrooge is the coolest character, you know? He was Indiana Jones before Steven Spielberg was a gleam in his mother’s eye, you know? I mean, come on. He’s a great character. Those Ducktales cartoons were based on comic books and about half of them were based on comic books by a guy named Carl Barks who… I mean I love the Ducktales TV show; the comic books were even better. Carl Barks was the best comic books artist and storyteller ever, and I would love to bring some of his work to life in games.

Considering the Duck clan hasn’t bathed in the lime light, in their own adventure, since Capcom’s DuckTales 2 in 1993, I’d say it’s about freakin’ time. And based on how incredible Epic Mickey has turned out, I’d say Spector is the man for the job.

Disney releasing Tron and Epic Mickey controllers

Jason Leavey — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:04:38 +0000

Disney Interactive has teamed with peripheral developer PDP to bring new controller options for two of the company’s biggest upcoming properties. For the next Tron video game, based on the upcoming 3D flick Tron Legacy, PDP is releasing new Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii controllers, decked out in black, with textured grips and bright neon blue lighting. These bad boys were on the show floor at E3, and they are dazzling in person.

Another new game worthy of its own controller is Epic Mickey. PDP is releasing a wooden paintbrush peripheral that houses the Nunchuk. And don’t worry, the tip of the brush is soft for the often regrettable controller slinging. There is also a new Wii Remote charger being released, featuring Mickey and his enemy Ink Blot.

The Tron remotes will retail for $50 each releasing this fall, with no pricing set for Epic Mickey’s controller. Check them all out below.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

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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The Tanooki » Epic Mickey

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