Rumor: Deus Ex's Spector working on 'epic' Mickey Mouse project
by Randy Nelson 
{ Dec 22nd 2008 at 6:51PM }
When it comes to designing games, Warren Spector isn't known for doing a Mickey Mouse job. But the iconic Disney character may very well be the star of his Junction Point Studios' current project, confirmed in July as a "collaboration with folks from Disney Feature Animation and Pixar."
According to a post on Gamasutra, "concept art and information" the site has gotten its eyes on reveal a title codenamed Epic Mickey, which is described as having "a distinctly shadowed, steampunk vibe." The game is likely the same project Spector and company have been working on since at least June 2007, and which the Deus Ex designer has said would elicit claims by hardcore gamers that he'd "sold out." In backing up its report, the site references an EGM rumor from March that suggests Junction Point's project will allow Disney to go up against "a certain pesky plumber" with "the mouse himself."
If true, Spector wouldn't be the first legendary designer to work with Walt Disney's most famous creation; God of War creator David Jaffe co-designed 1994's Mickey Mania for Sony Imagesoft.
According to a post on Gamasutra, "concept art and information" the site has gotten its eyes on reveal a title codenamed Epic Mickey, which is described as having "a distinctly shadowed, steampunk vibe." The game is likely the same project Spector and company have been working on since at least June 2007, and which the Deus Ex designer has said would elicit claims by hardcore gamers that he'd "sold out." In backing up its report, the site references an EGM rumor from March that suggests Junction Point's project will allow Disney to go up against "a certain pesky plumber" with "the mouse himself."
If true, Spector wouldn't be the first legendary designer to work with Walt Disney's most famous creation; God of War creator David Jaffe co-designed 1994's Mickey Mania for Sony Imagesoft.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
player66 @ Dec 22nd 2008 6:57PM
...so much better than a REAL Deus Ex sequel. I hope this one has stealth kills too.
Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:03PM
A MICKEY MANIA sequel FTW.
GoldenS1104 @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:30PM
OMG YES! That needs to happen!
Bagels PSN:WolfLogic @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:52PM
WILL BUY. There needs to be more action adventure games that aren't grey, brown, and M all over. And Kudos to Pixar working on a game! That's my instant seal of extra awesome quality!
soviet chick @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:08PM
Lots of love for Jaffe's work (Calling all Cars kicks ass, why doesn't anyone play it?!?), and I actually enjoy his personality, but I don't know if I'd group him in the "legendary" category just yet.
Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:19PM
I have noticed that communities in consoles die 10x as fast as in PC, for example in the xbaucks games (unless are extremely popular) are desolated after 3 weeks.
Nigeria @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:10PM
A HD remake of Castle of Illusion; epic enough for ya?
Marty @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:11PM
I was kinda hoping for another game like the original Deus Ex, but I guess this'll have to do.
The Dark Wayne @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:13PM
how far the mighty have fallen
Shagittarius @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:20PM
Does that mean I can say Spector is working with a Mickey Mouse organization?
Marius @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:33PM
why dont just make costumes and levels for LBP
WRE @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:37PM
Wait, did I miss something? Is this Mario vs. Mickey?
Jon A. @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:47PM
It's probably just an HD Mickey Mouse platformer that's in a Super Mario Galaxy like style. When they say "...go up against a pesky plumber," I'm assuming they're talking about through sales and gameplay.
Mr Khan @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:38PM
Ick. Steampunk Mickey? No. Just, no.
nick @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:44PM
So is Mickey wearing an Infocom t-shirt?
halongw77 @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:35PM
I've been thinking of this ever since Kingdom Hearts came out. It could easily be the next Mario I'm telling you. If they can get a good developer who is willing to put a lot of effort into it could be hugely successful.
meist3r @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:46PM
Kingdom Halo Wars MMO?
Kud Dukan @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:07PM
Please don't mention Epic and Mickey Mouse in the same sentence again.
GatorSax2010 @ Dec 23rd 2008 6:37AM
What, you don't want to play Ears of War?
RabbidMickeyMouse @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:40PM
I'm all for steampunk.
Happy_man @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:28PM
First thing that came to my mind after reading this is...
Kingdom Hearts: Dawn of Shadows
Which will basically be Kingdom hearts with the God of War blood and gore, thanks Jaffe, make my dreams come true.
Ozborne @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:13PM
I'm trying to remain open minded about this, but...ehh. Steampunk Mickey? Could that concept be any more convoluted? Two half-baked ideas smashed together do not make one good one.
Unless the first idea is "Lego".
samfish @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:25PM
Joystiq doesn't do the description of the game's supposed style by simply saying they called it steampunk. If you read the source article, the visual style actually sounds really freakin' cool.
Disney characters never really appealed to me, so I don't even have a bit of nostalgic love for this game...but I've been interested in it ever since those rumors popped up earlier this year about it being a "Mario killer".
At this point, this game and Shinji Mikami's project are the two things I'm most hoping are unveiled at next year's E3.
maiqk @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:56AM
Marvel vs Disney???
chispito @ Dec 23rd 2008 3:04AM
Donald has always been cooler. Mickey only really became interesting in The Sorceror's Apprentice.
radjago @ Dec 23rd 2008 4:43PM
Seriously, when was the last classic Disney character game? They made some great games back in the 16-bit era. I'd love to see some more of that magic come back.