Junction Point

GIVEAWAY: Epic Mickey 2-The Power of Two Game Plus Oswald Ears

3 December 2012 by Suzannah Otis 71 Comments

Disney’s Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is shaping up to be THE gift for the holiday season, and now you have a chance to get one of five copies I’m giving away here at Zannaland, thanks to the wonderful folks at Disney Interactive. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, you’ll also get a set of Oswald ears, so you can play your game in style.

I’m going to make entering extra simple, with the use of Rafflecopter below. Just log in using facebook or your email and check off the options for extra entries without leaving this page. The one mandatory entry is leaving a comment on this page. If you need a little inspiration or just want to learn more about the Epic Mickey 2 gameplay, head over to my Epic Mickey 2 review for the game trailer and some gorgeous hi-res photos of the gameplay.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Best of luck in the giveaway and in saving Wasteland!

All-New Disney Epic Mickey 2 Opening Movie Titled “A Story Begins”

12 July 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I am SO ready for Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two to be released! Disney Interactive just announced that the new game will be featured in a panel at the San Diego Comic Con show this Sunday, July 15th. In anticipation of that panel, the game’s creators have given us this never-before-seen opening movie for the game, called “A Story Begins.” Read all about the official news and watch the video below:

BURBANK, Calif. — (July 12, 2012) – “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” will be presented in a panel discussion taking place on Sunday, July 15^th at 1:00 p.m. at the San Diego Convention Center, Room 25ABC. Participating in the panel are video game designer Warren Spector of Disney Interactive’s Junction Point, Peter David, award-winning comic writer and author of the upcoming “Disney Epic Mickey 2 Graphic Novel” and Marv Wolfman, award-winning American comic book writer and co-writer of “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two.” The panelists will discuss how the team mapped out the story for this innovative new video game and unveil the first details surrounding the graphic novel, a 48 page retelling of Mickey’s return to Wasteland that will extend the video game experience for readers. Additionally, Becky Cline, Director of The Walt Disney Archives will be on hand to discuss the historical significance of Walt Disney’s first cartoon star, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, who is prominently featured in the video game. The panel will reveal all-new gameplay footage and artwork, and a special never-before-seen sequence of pages from the upcoming graphic novel.

“The story in ‘Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two’ will immerse players in an even deeper and richer gameplay experience than before as they take on the roles of Mickey Mouse and Oswald to befriend and battle their way through the world of Wasteland on a brand new journey of creativity and discovery,” said Warren Spector, creative director and vice president, Junction Point. “We’re honored to have collaborated with such talented individuals as Marv Wolfman, Peter David and Becky Cline on Mickey and Oswald’s next adventure, and we look forward to offering Comic-Con attendees a behind-scenes-look at the game and graphic novel.”

Written by Peter David and illustrated by Fabrizio Petrossi, the “Disney Epic Mickey 2: Graphic Novel” is a 48 page retelling of Mickey Mouse’s return to Wasteland to help Oswald the Lucky Rabbit as he faces the Mad Doctor. The graphic novel extends the videogame experience for readers and will include exclusive footage, a backstage pass, and more.

The “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” video game returns Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to Wasteland, an alternate world filled with more than 80 years of forgotten Disney characters and theme park attractions. But for the first time, Mickey and Oswald will join forces as true partners – Mickey with the magical paint brush that allows him to wield paint and thinner, and Oswald with a powerful remote control that allows him to command electricity. This new co-op play further enhances the idea that “PlayStyle Matters” – a unique approach to gameplay pioneered by Warren Spector where players tackle challenges the way they want to in order to explore a variety of possibilities and storylines, but always with consequences for their chosen actions.

Development for “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” for the Wii™ system from Nintendo, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system is being led by Disney Interactive’s Junction Point. Supporting the latest technology, the game will also feature full support for the PlayStation®Move motion controller. “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion” for the Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system is under development by critically-acclaimed developer DreamRift, in collaboration with Junction Point. The games are currently unrated by the ESRB. For more information, go to www.disney.com/disneyepicmickey.

Can’t wait to play! Will you be picking up Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two?

New Epic Mickey 2 Release Date, E3 Trailer and Warren Spector Interview

6 June 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Disney is showing a huge presence at the E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) conference going on in Los Angeles this week. We’ve seen an amazing Epic Mickey 2 booth, including Oswald ear hats and game demos, along with some fantastic pieces from the Disney Archives and other new merchandise.

Also released at E3 was a new Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two trailer, with an emphasis on Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. This makes me even MORE excited to play this game!

Also check out this great interview with Warren Spector Creative Director and Vice President, Junction Point and Disney Archives Director Becky Cline discussing the amazing history of Oswald:

Epic Mickey: The Power of Two will hit shelves November 18, 2012 – see you there! You can check out screenshots and more info at my other Epic Mickey 2 post.

Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion Gives Nintendo 3DS A New Coat of Paint

4 April 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

My house is full of gamers. My husband collects every video game console and system as it’s released (back to Atari times), and of course games as well. My son is an xBox 360 fanatic. My daughter loves puzzle games. Actually just the other day, my husband was discussing wanting to get a Nintendo 3DS and now, I’m pretty sure this will put him over the edge. We were already excited about Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two and now can’t wait for this Nintendo 3DS release either. The fact that it pays homage to the Sega Genesis game “Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse”? Bonus points. Check out the official press release below:

BURBANK, Calif. – (April 4, 2012) – Disney Interactive Media Group today announced the development of “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion,” the first Nintendo 3DS™ title in the “Disney Epic Mickey” franchise. The title features an interactive combination of painting, dual screen integration and 3D transformation capabilities designed to give players the unique ability to create objects and even characters they can place in the world of Wasteland.

DEM 3DS Alice in Wonderland Illusion Concept Art — Alice in Wonderland concept art for Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion (click to enlarge)

In “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion,” Reality is What You Paint of It. The game offers a special drawing and painting function that allows players to create rough versions of objects that magically transform into classic Disney-style 2D illustrations. Utilizing the game’s unparalleled dual screen integration, players then move their creations to the top screen where they are further transformed into full-color, fully-rendered 3D visuals.

DEM 3DS Peter Pan Jolly Roger Illusion Concept Art — Peter Pan concept art for Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion

Paying tribute to the classic Sega Genesis title “Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse,” “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion” focuses on the fabled Castle of Illusion, which has fallen into Wasteland, an alternate world filled with 80 years of forgotten Disney characters and theme park attractions – and now forgotten video games. The evil witch Mizrabel, villainess from the classic “Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse,” finds herself an unwilling inhabitant of Wasteland, and unleashes a plot to escape using the Castle of Illusion to imprison and drain the cartoon essence from currently famous Toons. Players will take on the role of Mickey Mouse as he utilizes his magical brush to wield paint and thinner to confront Mizrabel and save the Toons.

DEM 3DS Rapunzel Fortress Room Concept Art — Rapunzel Fortress Room Concept Art

“The original ‘Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse’ changed the face of video gaming by allowing players to play as Mickey Mouse in a side-scrolling adventure full of dynamic environments,” said Warren Spector, vice president and creative director, Junction Point. “We’re honored to be able to pay tribute to this classic video game by creating a title that truly takes advantage of the unique capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS, putting the magic of Disney and the historic Castle of Illusion in the palm of your hands.”

Epic Mickey 3DS screenshot — Screenshot from Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion

“Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion” is being created by critically acclaimed DS developer DreamRift, in collaboration with Disney Interactive’s Junction Point. The game is slated for a fall 2012 release on the Nintendo 3DS. For more information, go to www.disney.com/disneyepicmickey, or check out this month’s issue of “Nintendo Power” magazine which features an exclusive cover story on the upcoming game.