Epic Mickey Unveiled In London News

At an event held in the UK, Disney Interactive Studios today unveiled Epic Mickey.  Currently in development at Warren Spector's Junction Point Studios exclusively for the Nintendo Wii, Epic Mickey's story focuses upon a mistake by Mickey Mouse that devastates a world where forgotten Disney characters dwell.  

Yen Sid, a nickname given by the animators to the unnamed sorcerer in Fantasia (and 'Disney' spelt backwards), is the creator of the game's whimsically-twisted world where forgotten and retried Disney characters dwell.  One of the earliest inhabitants is Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, the first cartoon star from Walt Disney in 1927.  Over the years, Oswald grows resentful of Mickey's rising fame, and when Mickey stumbles upon a map of Yen Sid's world he makes an innocent yet terrible mistake that devastates .  The mistake pulls Mickey into the world to face the destruction he unknowingly created, where only Oswald can help him, but only if he helps Oswald.

The Wii Remote is used to wield magical paint and thinner in a game that blends adventure and platforming gameplay, with classic components of choice and consequence that typify Spector's work.  The choice between paint and thinner is a choice between creating and damaging; a choice that shapes Mickey, his appearance, and the world around him.

"The core of this game is the idea of choice and consequence, and how that defines both the character and the player," says Spector. "By putting the mischievous Mickey in an unfamiliar place and asking him to make choices - to help other cartoon characters or choose his own path - the game forces players to deal with the consequences of their actions. Ultimately, players must ask themselves, ‘What kind of hero am I?' Each player will come up with a different answer."

Classic Disney characters will appear in the game, although our correspondent suggests a little mystery surrounds what form they'll appear in.  Concept art of a Donald Duck animatronic (similar to the Goofy sketches) was shown, with the suggestion that Oswald could be creating these out of loneliness.

Oswald has a significant history in the real world.  Appearing in 26 silent cartoons between 1927 and 1928 .  On the verge of becoming a big star, Walt Disney lost the rights to Oswald after failing to secure production costs to ensure the quality.  Along with Oswald went much of Disney's staff, although with the help of animator, cartoonist and long-time friend Ub Iwerks, together they created a new character named Mickey Mouse.

The event brought a European exclusive look inside the game's Lonesome Manor.  We'll be bringing you our impressions shortly.