Disney Gaming

As referenced many time on this blog, Disney, especially under CEO Bob Iger, is very into spreading a franchise over as many platforms as possible for optimum return on little new content and creativity.

Lately, noticeable in the anticipated Epic Mickey game, Iger's noticing the rise in "casual gaming." This leads to speculation on if Disney will attempt to acquire some game companies. Groups like Electronic Arts are Take-Two Interactive are vulnerable for takeover after huge falls in shares.

Iger only somewhat plays into this speculation saying, "we need to make sure we are structured... to take advantage of all elements of the game business."

Yea, Iger, work those franchises.

Re: Epic Mickey, Mouse's New Look

As I mentioned in the last post, with Disney Interactive Studio's upcoming Epic Mickey game, they seem to be capitalizing on the retro trend by redesigning the iconic mouse to more closely resemble his Steamboat Willie roots with longer, more slender limbs.

Epic Mickey

No really, that's the title of Disney Interactive Studios' new video game set for release on the Nintendo Wii next year.

The game seems to be a puzzle/platformer game based on the story of the famous Mickey entering Cartoon Wasteland, where all Disney's old characters like Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (Walt's first star in 1927) have been thrown to the wayside. Screenshots and concept art from Total Video Games show kind of trippy cartoon, steampunk, and retro visuals.

The basic premise of the game seems basic and boring - hero enters strange world, hero must save world, hero does puzzles and collects things. The real reasons Disney seems to be making the game to grow their video game branch and market something to gamers and retro Disney fans. It's also another case of Disney digging in their vaults for old characters to exploit rather than legit new content.

I'm curious to hear reviews of the game in the future and see how well the steampunk visuals turn out.