Epic Mickey Was Originally Multi Platform

Everyone it seems is getting more and more details about Warren Spector's Epic Mickey.  Official Nintendo Magazine recently conducted an interview with the man behind the mouse and he had a few interesting things to say.

He told them that the game was originally designed to be a multi-platform game for the 360, PS3, and PC.  Wii development of the game started in 2008, but before that it was going to the other platforms.  Disney allowed Mr. Spector focus on the Wii version of the game in an effort to make it the best game possible and he ran with it.

"It's burned in my brain - Graham Hopper [Disney Interactive boss] pulled me into my office one day and said 'What does it take to deliver on the goals we have for this product? And I said, well, you need enough time and enough money to be competitive. And it'd be awfully nice if we could focus on one platform."

"At that time we were talking about a Wii port and I was begging people - no, we can't just port to the Wii, it's not going to work. It needs to be its own game. A lot of the design ideas just won't work on the Wii, we need to give the Wii its dues. Graham looked at me and said 'What do you think about a Wii exclusive?' And I went 'Holy cow - yeah!'"

"They walked away from three other platforms - no other publisher on the planet would have done that. It was a magic moment for me. No-one has even mentioned other formats since that point."

The rest of this interview with Warren Spector will be available in the 50 edition of ONM and will hit store shelves later in November.
 ---------------------------------------------------
 This game looks amazing.  I've been a huge fan of Disney, as most of you probably have been, since I was child.   I hate the way Disney has used Mickey Mouse in recent years and really like the old style retro look of Mickey and what he was like back then.  Mickey has been, and always should have that hand drawn, mischevious feel to him.

You can be assured that as more details come out about the game we'll keep you updated.  For now check out a few screens.

New Epic Mickey Details

Hey guys. Game Informer this month that TONS of new details about Epic Mickey from Junction Point Games and Warren Spector.  Here are just a few plus the shot of Mickey's new look, which is VERY retro.

The sorcerer Yensid (Disney spelled backwards; nickname from “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” in Fantasia) creates a world for all of his forgotten creations, with Oswald being its first inhabitant. This world is very similar to a Disney theme park and sits on a table in the sorcerer’s study as an intricate model. Mickey Mouse steps through a magic mirror in his house and ends up in Yensid’s study. Mickey, the troublemaker that he is, becomes fascinated by this set and when Yensid leaves, he plays around with it and accidentally spills paint and paint thinner all over it. Mickey hears the sorcerer returning and rushes to clean up and return home, and he soon forgets what happens and lives his life of fame and glory.

Mickey’s accident causes a terrible consequence and turns Yensid’s world into a wasteland controlled by a monstrous being named the Phantom Blot. Oswald and the other cartoons try to fight off the Phantom Blot, but it overwhelms them and turns their land in a twisted mockery of Yensid’s original dream. Mickey Mouse remains oblivious to all of this until one day the mirror he stepped through before comes alive again and the Phantom Blot pulls him into this twisted world. Now, Mickey Mouse must escape the Phantom Blot, find Oswald, earn his trust, and manage to defeat the corrupted menace so he can escape the Wasteland.

So how do you play the game? Mickey Mouse has a paintbrush that he brings into the Wasteland. The world can be created or destroyed with the swipe of a brush using the Wii Remote. Buildings, platforms, and items can be painted in and walls and enemies can be swept away with paint thinner with the Wii Remote. You can play the game as you like, either restoring things or destroying everything. You can be The Hero or The Scrapper, and the Game Informer issue goes into detail on what would happen if you pick a certain side. Mickey’s appearance will even change a bit depending on which side you choose.

There are some other interesting tidbits as well. Donald Duck animatronic pieces are scattered throughout part of the game and if collected, he will be put back together. Gremlin Village is similar to “It’s a Small World”, where you can even hear an eerie version of the music. You enter movie screen transitions to move from level to level where you are put in a 2D world and you revisit some of Mickey’s old cartoons. Collect “E-Tickets” to enter rides and use them to buy power-ups. Some of the characters in Epic Mickey include The Gremlins (led by one named Gus, they work to help Mickey against the Phantom Blot), The Bunny Kids (children of Oswald and his girl, Ortensia), The Buddies (animatronic versions of Mickey’s friends), The Mad Doctor (created The Buddies for Oswald, since Oswald wants to recreate Mickey’s life), Blotlings (the spawn of the Phantom Blot), and Beetleworx (creations of the Mad Doctor that build and fix this world). Oh, and here’s a cool little story. Disney’s CEO Bob Iger went to NBC/Universal (who owned the rights to Oswald for 80 years) and traded Al Michaels (human sportscaster) for the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

I don't know about you, but I think this game sounds amazing.  I'm really excited for this title and these new details make me that much more interested in what's going on with this.  The fact that it's Wii exclusive just adds a bit of sweetness to it.  You can check out the latest Game Informer for an in depth look as well as a ton more art.

Source: WiiNintendo

Epic Mickey Confirmed as Wii Exclusive

The on again, off again saga this week of whether Epic Mickey has finally been put to rest as the new Game Informer does, in fact, confirm the title to be an exclusive. 

The exclusivity was in question earlier this week as Game Informer had pulled that piece of information off of their website.  Apparently they were wanting to save that as exclusive information to the magazine and it was inadvertantly posted to their website. 

So for anyone scoring at home, it's Wii exclusive 2, non-exclusive 1.  Look for this game next year to appear on your Wii console, and no other.  At least at this point.

Source: Game Informer

Game Informer's Interview With Warren Spector

Epic Mickey Confirmed for Wii

Those concept drawings you see are from the upcoming title known as of now as Epic Mickey.  The game is being developed by Junction Point and Disney Studios and the latest Game Informer has confirmed that this will be a Wii exclusive title.  There should be a video interview with Warren Spector posted by Game Informer later today that will hopefully give more details about the title.

 Just based on those screens it looks like a very interesting concept and I can't wait to see more on this title in the future.  It's definitely an interesting take on Disney's mascots.