Epic (Mickey) trade: Disney swaps Al Michaels for Oswald

The Game Informer preview of Junction Point's Epic Mickey is out, revealing not only the game's art style and Mickey's retro-inspired look, but details of the storyline and characters as well -- definitely worth picking up the mag to see, even if it means another trip into GameStop. One of the most interesting details isn't really in the game, but about the game.

The antagonist, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, almost wasn't included -- kinda hard to be epic without a bad guy, you know? "Disney didn't own the rights to Oswald," designer Warren Spector explained to Game Informer. The Epic Mickey project was apparently of such importance, though, that Disney CEO Bob Iger made a deal with NBC Universal and "traded Al Michaels, a human sportscaster, for the rights to a cartoon rabbit." For what evil purpose was Universal keeping Oswald locked away? We may never know.

At Game Informer's website, see the first look at Epic Mickey's environments, along with more of that wonderful concept art.

Reader Comments (64)

All right bro

Cool story, brah.

And you can have fun... not playing this game

The Al Michaels/Oswald trade had nothing to do with this game at all. It was a deal brokered to improve Bob Iger's image as he took the top job in the Disney company. Instead of just being "another suit" that was handpicked by Eisner, it positioned him as someone who valued Disney's heritage, whether he does or not. It got the Disney family behind him, as well as a huge chunk of the Disney fanbase, when he really needed the support.

Saying that the deal was made for this game is ridiculous and untrue.

Look at it this way: The trade made the game possible. If it weren't for the trade, Oswald wouldn't be here at all, and we would end up with some generic Pete bad guy.

Warren Spector creating a dark and interesting Mickey universe with cool gameplay mechanics? Sign me up! Seriously, though, I'd buy anything from Warren Spector after System Shock, Deus Ex, and Thief.

They should have at least gotten a second round pick.

Damn, Disney is really taking this seriously.

Good to see that the game has a decent amount of color. Also love Mickey's design.

The Al Michaels deal had absolutely nothing to do with this game. It was Iger's attempt to rebuild faith in the Disney brand.

"For what evil purpose was Universal keeping Oswald locked away? We may never know."

I know. As does any Disney historian. Because Oswald was extremely popular and generated money for Universal. Knowing that they owned the rights to the character, they cut out perceived dead weight (Walt Disney in this case) and proceeded to make medicore cartoons that faded into obscurity (More than likely because Iwerks wasn't at the helm).

Seriously Joystiq writer. Do some research next time.

I want this now!!!

Puns about manyquestions' mom, however, are held in the highest regards of humour, even today.

This is shit! THey say they are slowley going to change him to be "naughty" and "bad". What was wrong with the old Mickey? I'm 13 okay and there is no excuse saying that the new generation of kids like "violence." THat is a load of crap, my friends. THis will DESTROY ME. Mickey mouse was my idol when i was 6,7,8,9 and when I was 11. Don't ruin this, Walt Disney would never ask for this.

(once again get a life
kisses♥

Epic (Mickey) trade: Disney swaps Al Michaels for Oswald

Reader Comments (64)

Posted: Oct 16th 2009 12:13PM Dopple Boppler said

Posted: Oct 16th 2009 12:58PM Vegeta has a ps3 said

Posted: Oct 16th 2009 1:33PM Mr Khan said

Posted: Oct 16th 2009 12:36PM Longaway said

Posted: Oct 16th 2009 12:58PM Yaanu said

Posted: Oct 16th 2009 12:31PM KungFuChaosNinja said

Posted: Oct 16th 2009 12:49PM Bubbameister33 said

Posted: Oct 16th 2009 1:07PM Frito said

Posted: Oct 16th 2009 1:34PM Mr Khan said

Posted: Oct 16th 2009 3:40PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Oct 16th 2009 3:52PM ArchiGamer said

Posted: Oct 16th 2009 4:33PM Centaur said

Posted: Oct 17th 2009 11:02PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Nov 6th 2009 8:29PM (Unverified) said

Info

Description

MSRP

Release Date

Genre

Developer

Publisher

Rating

Breaking News

WB conjures up Harry Potter for Kinect this fall

Featured Stories

Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is a stranger in a strange land

Silver Lining: I Am Alive's unfeeling world

Game Of Thrones and the paradoxes of adaptation

Engadget

TUAW

Massively

WoW