Artist resume reveals Wii plan for Warren Spector's 'Epic Mickey' [update 2: now with even more concept art!]
by JC Fletcher 
{ Jul 29th 2009 at 9:29AM } 
[Update 2: NeoGAF user cuyahoga has dug up more conceptual drawings for Epic Mickey from yet another artist, Gary Glover, who lists Junction Point Studios as one of his clients. His drawings (added to the gallery) appear to depict various lands from Disney's themeparks using the established steampunk / dystopian look of the game, suggesting that it may be broken up into these themed "worlds."
[Update: superannuation found concept art labeled "Epic Mickey" on the site of artist Fred Gambino! Have a look in the gallery -- if this is what the game looks like, with its rickety machine characters and post-apocalyptic Magic Kingdom, we are in. "Y"? Because we like it.]
More evidence has appeared for the existence of Epic Mickey, the "steampunk" Mickey Mouse game from Warren Spector's Junction Point Studios. Artist Tony Pulham lists his work as a concept artist on the project, which is described as a "Wii Video Game." The fact that Pulham started at Junction Point in June suggests that the game hasn't been canceled yet!
Of course, it could appear on other platforms, but at least we know now that one of the platforms in the works is Nintendo's, which is appropriate for a game rumored to be Disney's latest attempt at a Mario-style game.
Gallery: Epic Mickey concept art
[Via superannuation]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Storm Eagle::The Blood Edge @ Jul 29th 2009 9:34AM
I think if anyone can tackle Mario, it's Mickey... One is as recognizable as the other. Not to mention that Disney Interactive has been pumping out very impressive games as of late.
chriscanberg @ Jul 29th 2009 4:34PM
1000x agree. there's really no more recognizable characters than mario and mickey. i really hope this turns out to be good....but i'm so worried about it, you know?
gordo @ Jul 29th 2009 5:46PM
Well if it fails, according to the concept art, Mickey can always fall back on his paint thinner manufacturing business.
Geist @ Jul 29th 2009 9:38AM
Hahahahah what the hell. Epic Mickey Mouse Steampunk game? I must see this.
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 29th 2009 9:42AM
Here is the art:
http://i31.tinypic.com/2e3u34x.jpg
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=16880146&postcount=1
Mr Khan @ Jul 29th 2009 10:39AM
very dark. I'm surprised Disney's going along with this
Roto13 @ Jul 29th 2009 11:03AM
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg181/xblah/other/goofy_zombie.jpg
I'm sorry, but this is never, ever happening. :P
The Baron @ Jul 29th 2009 12:14PM
It's a mechanical goofy!
I'm actually really liking the look of this. I don't think there's any danger of this harming the Mickey brand, it seems pretty much dead anyway besides Saturday morning cartoons and Kingdom Hearts. Plus I think the strangeness of it (and assumed quality due to Spector) coupled with the recognition Mickey has would make it a massive seller
Pimliconite @ Jul 30th 2009 12:38AM
http://www.joystiq.com/photos/epic-mickey-concept-art/2174613/
Never, ever, ever going to fucking happen.
"Ha ha! Hey kids! Ha ha! Mickey needs to add pieces of you to his exoskeleton! Ha ha! Come closer!"
"Popup Hint: Twist your wii remote sideways to shoot off cybermickey's limbs before he reaches the children."
Araman @ Jul 29th 2009 9:40AM
Concept art for those who haven't seen:
http://www.fredgambino.co.uk/web_pages/epicmickey/wall.html
This looks positively AMAZING!
Rax Dakkar @ Jul 29th 2009 9:50AM
Steampunk Mickey Mouse? Sounds right up Boing Boing's alley...
Grammar freak @ Jul 29th 2009 9:57AM
Anybody remember a mickey mouse/disney game for SNES where he was a wizard? That game was awesome. I'd like to ask JC about that.
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 29th 2009 10:00AM
"The Magical Quest Starring Micke Mouse"
Excellent game, one of my favorite SNES platformers.
CJLopez @ Jul 29th 2009 2:23PM
I liked more tha GBA rehashed version. You could use mini also!!!
tkAshur @ Jul 31st 2009 9:13PM
Wow...yah, why is that not VC'd yet? HEY NINTENDO! The last two weeks of no VC? yah, could've used this SNES classic. Just sayin.
ChromeAlchemist @ Jul 29th 2009 10:11AM
Yeah, I made an unofficial article about this on The Escapist. Here's why this will be awesome.
1) Warren Spector is making it.
2) See above.
I can't wait to see what he has in store for Mickey. I'm anticipating this as much as the Bethesda and id Software Wii games.
Mr Khan @ Jul 29th 2009 10:30AM
id isn't making a Wii game anymore, that was just Doom Resurrection.
Bethesda's i'm kinda sketchy on, too. It could just mean publishing, not developing. And Bethesda has published Wii games before. Bad ones.
MRLN @ Jul 29th 2009 10:15AM
Shockingly epic! Mickey Mouse is becoming a lot cooler as a video game character as of late.
Bowser Rogozhin: Death of a Ladies Man @ Jul 29th 2009 10:55AM
I hope Epic Mickey is actually the title of the video game and not just a working title. It sounds like a winner from the off.
TwEE @ Jul 29th 2009 11:25AM
Thats some pretty surreal concept art. The beach scene looks amazing.
Pikalover @ Jul 29th 2009 11:27AM
Holy crap...
I don't know whether to be excited or worried. I'm a big ol' Disney fan, and seeing Mickey in a different light might not work so well for me. I was never really into Kingdom Hearts even.
That being said though, the artwork is breathtakingly beautiful. If nothing else, this game will be visually appealing. Also, the inclusion of Disney World is something never been done before so that's pretty cool.
The Baron @ Jul 29th 2009 12:15PM
Even Mickey can't make JRPG's tolerable.
Michelobius @ Jul 29th 2009 3:07PM
They'll have to market it carefully. It won't be a kids game, and any time you rework a classic, dare I say overdone, character, some amazing things can happen, like Frank Miller's take on Batman.
samfish (uses the Joystiq Comment-Kill filter!) @ Jul 29th 2009 12:01PM
I'm not a huge Disney fan by any means, but the concept art does look crazy cool.
Nigeria @ Jul 29th 2009 12:57PM
The concept art looks amazing. Let's hope the game is as imaginative as Castle of Illusion was.
CJLopez @ Jul 29th 2009 2:24PM
FallOut Disney? I'm in!!!!
mts @ Jul 29th 2009 2:45PM
This game looks hyper rad!!
But
If this was on the PS3/XB360 it might have a chance of actually looking like this.
But on the Wii? No thanks.
oogieboogie004 @ Jul 29th 2009 3:09PM
Another graphics debate? no thank you :P
(goes off to play Super Mario Galaxy...)
ArchiGamer [thephilosophyofgames.wordpress.com] @ Jul 29th 2009 3:41PM
Wow, I'm actually excited for this game.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Jul 29th 2009 4:22PM
that concept art looks amazing. i love the art direction of it. the art direction does lead me to believe we won't see it though. hopefully they prove me wrong cause that looks awesome.
chriscanberg @ Jul 29th 2009 4:26PM
oh my god...
i have absolutely NO idea how to feel about this. i mean this screens look amazing but damn...
Justin @ Jul 30th 2009 12:50PM
I could see this happening. I would love to see this happen. Game might not be for the young Disney crowd, but could be for those teenagers that the magic has worn off of a little. Disney does distribute the Tim Burton stuff so I could see them backing this too.
Justin @ Jul 30th 2009 1:09PM
Disney Adventures in the Magic Kingdom for NES and Walt Disney World Quest Magical Racing Tour for the PS2. The first game is one that I had only played once, but the second one I received as a gift while in Disney back in 2001 and you actually race through different parts of Disney World. Just like Mario Kart, but in Disney with Disney characters.
tkAshur @ Jul 31st 2009 4:15PM
Um...I don't understand what I'm looking at here. It looks awesome...but what the F? IT...what...I suppose this is in such an early stage that you won't know what we'll be doing in this. I see tiny b&w characters...do...do we play as them? I'm so curious, I must know more!
Davy~Rush! @ Aug 1st 2009 12:49AM
I'm out of words... I can only say EPIC!!!
Disney's Magical Quest series were good, to bad Mickey on the Game Cube didn't do very well, but this game looks like it's more directed to teens / late-teens (like myself with 16) who grow watching more Disney than anime, and this puts Mickey in another level, because he isn't, well, wasn't, on this style of art and mature...
Kingdom Hearts it's good, one of my three favorite series, but it lacks of Disney some times. This title looks like it may put more attention to anyone because it will be different, and, if it's going to compete with Mario, it will be a platformer game, and that means I will like it!!!