Warren Spector at work on 'Epic Mickey' game?

I'm sure it's a fun break for WS and team to work on something like this.

My friend told me a story that sort of sums up my feeling. Her friend worked for Tokyo Disneyland, like the corporate part, and had her wedding there. My friend said it was all very polished, everything looked great ... almost too polished. Everything was scripted to the T and somewhat superficial. But there came a point when the DJ announced, "Look everybody! It's Micky and Minnie!" and a mascot Micky and Minnie walked in and waved, and everybody cheered, waved back, and ran to them to take pictures. Except my friend who said she felt more than a little uncomfortable; really, it's just two guys I don't even know in a mouse suit. They don't talk; they just wave... Isn't that creepy?

When I think about a Disney game, I have a similar thought: isn't this basically an over-polished, mediocre game in a mouse-suit?

It's for kids, though. If I had kids, I might get it for them and to see what WS has cooked up. The aesthetic style is very nice. Not a game for myself, though.

henke on 29/7/2009 at 17:15

Quote Posted by demagogue

When I think about a Disney game, I have a similar thought: isn't this basically an over-polished, mediocre game in a mouse-suit?

Uh... what? What are you trying to say? That games with fictional non-human characters don't offer the same immersion as games with fictional human characters? Or that games need characters based on real people? Or are you commenting on how when developers have to make games based on licences they just make some gameplay completely unrelated to the sourcematerial and then just throw in some familiar characters? Because in the case of Disney games I wouldn't entirely agree. The Lion King, Aladdin and DuckTales games all seemed consistent with the movies/shows they were based on. This "Epic Mickey" thing however... well I don't remember seeing steampunk elements in any Mickey cartoons, so you might have a point there.

And I wouldn't call Disney games mediocre. At least the ones I've played have been good.

Ostriig on 29/7/2009 at 17:40

Quote Posted by demagogue

I'm sure it's a fun break for WS and team to work on something like this.

Warren has (http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6175530.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;4) described himself as a hardcore Disney fan, and he did (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/long-games-are-dead-says-spector) mention that he was "tired of making games about guys in black leather carrying guns", so yeah, it's a great break for him. My take on it, though, while I am genuinely happy for him getting his wish, I am still disappointed that we didn't end up with him at the helm of a project somewhere in the undeniably generous middle ground between leather trenchcoats and Mickey Mouse.

Quote:

It's for kids, though. If I had kids, I might get it for them and to see what WS has cooked up. The aesthetic style is very nice. Not a game for myself, though.

You know, while I definitely fear you're right, there is something about that artwork that makes me inclined to give them a bit more of the benefit of the doubt. I mean, look at (http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/1659/steamgoof.jpg) that Goofy concept - if that's actual concept art for the game, it looks more like Bioshock or Silent Hill rather than something you'd give a 6-year-old.

Stitch on 29/7/2009 at 18:07

Writing this off as for kids only seems pretty silly when you consider their point of comparison is Mario platformers, which rock my middleaged shit hardcore.

As for the game itself: we'll see, but I'll second Addink's wish for a game pulled straight from the pages of Carl Barks' Uncle Scrooge comics.

demagogue on 29/7/2009 at 18:23

Quote Posted by henke

Uh... what? What are you trying to say?

Well, I shouldn't pre-judge a game's quality, of course. Some quality stuff has come from surprising places before.

My point wasn't really about games, but about Disney, or companies like Disney ... I'm turning more and more towards indie stuff because I don't like the way big companies start side-stepping "controversy" and making their stories "safe" for public consumption. I don't want to say "soulless" because any commercial game could be accused of that, but something in that direction; and everything Disney gets sort of sullied by that image to me, like that superficial wedding where the bride and groom announced their vows in the most emotionless way and then Micky and Minnie show up to take pictures. And I don't buy that because it's for kids it can't have a spirit or edge to it.

In fact, re: Stitch's last comment, that's just the kind of thing I was thinking too. Mario had a real spirit to it, even today. So a kids' game shouldn't have any excuses. ("Writing it off as a kid's game" was exactly the opposite of my thinking in that post.)

Mind you, this is all just a knee-jerk reaction about Disney; I don't know, maybe from watching too much Disney channel stuff with my nephews, and hearing that wedding story on the heels of this thread. And I even like some Disney stuff; that skepticism is just sort of lingering in the background. Nothing to do with what I know about this game per se. And at least the art coming out is a bit out of left-field; I don't know how to place it. It's not shouting "typical Disney", although a lot of familiar images are there, a little subverted certainly. I am curious where he's going with it.

june gloom on 29/7/2009 at 18:53

Quote Posted by Stitch

Writing this off as for kids only seems pretty silly when you consider their point of comparison is Mario platformers, which rock my middleaged shit hardcore.

Middle-aged? I thought you were in your twenties. ;)

That said, I agree. Despite what BRnumpty might say, Disney-licensed games have generally been quite good, especially in the 8/16 bit eras. Fond memories of Ducktales...

I wonder how many of us grew up on console platformers like Sonic and Mario? Show of hands?