The interactive media group of The Walt Disney Co. steered E3 goers to a new game about its famous mouse — and a rabbit. In “Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two,” Mickey Mouse is joined by Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to save the alternate world of Wasteland. Mickey wields a magic paintbrush that can draw and erase objects, while Oswald uses a remote control that commands electricity. The game, scheduled for release in November, was the main attraction at the elaborate Disney Interactive display. E3 attendees could play one level of the game, and its producer, Warren Spector, made a presentation of the game and how it differs from the first “Epic Movie” released in 2010. For instance, the characters speak in the new game. In the first game, the experience was like “a silent movie,” Spector told the audience. “Characters speaking help the emotional level of the game,” said Spector, who heads up Junction Point, a game development company based in Austin, Texas, that Disney acquired in 2007. “Epic Mickey 2” also has musical sequences of original songs to advance the story line and hidden treasures and awards that players can find as they guide Mickey and Oswald through their Wasteland adventures. “The game does reward repeat play,” Spector said. Oswald was created by Walt Disney and animator Ub Iwerks in 1927 for animated shorts distributed by Universal Pictures. The Disney company regained the rights to the character in 2006. Disney Interactive also promoted “Just Dance: Disney Party,” “Disney Princess: My Fairytale Adventures,” and mobile water conservation game “Where’s My Water?” featuring Swampy, an alligator. In a faux forest setting with trees, grass, and rocks the company promoted games based on character from the new Disney Pixar film, “Brave.”
DISNEY INTERACTIVE MEDIA GROUP BURBANK
