Disney May Reboot Epic Mickey Franchise
Disney is interested in reimaging its classic franchises, making an Epic Mickey series reboot much likely.
For past few years, Disney has moved away from developing video games for many of their popular in-house IPs. They even shut down internal game studios and lend license rights for Marvel and Star Wars franchises to other publishers.
Recently at D.I.C.E. Summit 2020, Disney invited game industry developers to work with their classic properties and innovate through original storytelling, something 2010 platform game Epic Mickey has already done a decade ago.
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Disney senior vice president for Global Games & Interactive Experiences, Sean Shoptaw talks about their latest strategy of approaching video game development and expressed interest working on old IPs with creative game studios.
Debuted as a Nintendo Wii-exclusive title, Epic Mickey was helmed by veteran game designer Warren Spector, who also contributed in creation of games like Deus Ex, System Shock, Thief: The Dark Project and Ultima Underworld.
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Spector also directed Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, a follow-up sequel to one of most unique game based on original Disney property. However, both these titles received lukewarm score on review aggregator site Metacritic.
Majority of player complaints were pointed at poor control schemes, problematic camera angle and repetitive gameplay. Disney's Epic Mickey had a promising story setting that can be improved on so many levels via a series reboot.
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Though original developer Junction Point Studios was shut down in 2013 following under-performance of Epic Mickey 2, it can be easily revived anytime if they want to or can partner up with another third-party studio to start fresh.
In recent years, Electronic Arts has been producing major titles like Star Wars Battlefront II and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order under Star Wars game license but they are not likely to be a suitable partner to work on their famous mascot.
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For last two decades, the company had a partnership with developer/publisher Square Enix working on Kingdom Hearts role-playing series. Last year, Kingdom Hearts III was launched on consoles and it sold over 5 million copies so far.
Given their reputation for unique creative visions and Disney/Pixar collaboration, Square Enix is more than capable of handling a series reboot for Epic Mickey and do justice with adequate support from its entertainment giant parent company.
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Disney had one of their major in-house releases back in 2013 with action-adventure sandbox game Disney Infinity for all major console platforms, which they eventually ended up cancelling in 2016 to largely focus on mobile games.
A potential reboot for Epic Mickey in style of sandbox platformer Super Mario Odyssey will have plenty of room for telling original stories and explore innovative gameplay, allowing creators to introduce a new take on iconic Cartoon Wasteland.
For past few years, Disney has moved away from developing video games for many of their popular in-house IPs. They even shut down internal game studios and lend license rights for Marvel and Star Wars franchises to other publishers.
Recently at D.I.C.E. Summit 2020, Disney invited game industry developers to work with their classic properties and innovate through original storytelling, something 2010 platform game Epic Mickey has already done a decade ago.
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| Disney May Reboot Epic Mickey Franchise |
RELATED: Nioh 2 Last Chance Free Trial
Disney senior vice president for Global Games & Interactive Experiences, Sean Shoptaw talks about their latest strategy of approaching video game development and expressed interest working on old IPs with creative game studios.
Debuted as a Nintendo Wii-exclusive title, Epic Mickey was helmed by veteran game designer Warren Spector, who also contributed in creation of games like Deus Ex, System Shock, Thief: The Dark Project and Ultima Underworld.
RELATED: Modern Warfare Season 2 Trailer Hints at Battle Royale
Spector also directed Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, a follow-up sequel to one of most unique game based on original Disney property. However, both these titles received lukewarm score on review aggregator site Metacritic.
Majority of player complaints were pointed at poor control schemes, problematic camera angle and repetitive gameplay. Disney's Epic Mickey had a promising story setting that can be improved on so many levels via a series reboot.
RELATED: Dead Cells: The Bad Seed DLC Out Now
Though original developer Junction Point Studios was shut down in 2013 following under-performance of Epic Mickey 2, it can be easily revived anytime if they want to or can partner up with another third-party studio to start fresh.
In recent years, Electronic Arts has been producing major titles like Star Wars Battlefront II and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order under Star Wars game license but they are not likely to be a suitable partner to work on their famous mascot.
RELATED: Final Fantasy 7 Remake Demo Will Be Playable at PAX East
For last two decades, the company had a partnership with developer/publisher Square Enix working on Kingdom Hearts role-playing series. Last year, Kingdom Hearts III was launched on consoles and it sold over 5 million copies so far.
Given their reputation for unique creative visions and Disney/Pixar collaboration, Square Enix is more than capable of handling a series reboot for Epic Mickey and do justice with adequate support from its entertainment giant parent company.
RELATED: Resident Evil TV Series Leaked by Netflix
Disney had one of their major in-house releases back in 2013 with action-adventure sandbox game Disney Infinity for all major console platforms, which they eventually ended up cancelling in 2016 to largely focus on mobile games.
A potential reboot for Epic Mickey in style of sandbox platformer Super Mario Odyssey will have plenty of room for telling original stories and explore innovative gameplay, allowing creators to introduce a new take on iconic Cartoon Wasteland.
