Epic Mickey for Wii Unveiled by Disney and Nintendo

Details of Epic Mickey, the rumored Nintendo Wii game starring Mickey Mouse were announced today. The game is in development by Warren Spectors Disney owned Junction Point Studios. Spector is an unusual choice to head up the project. Although a life-long Disney fan, the game designer was previously known for his work on dark, cutting edge RPGs like Deus Ex, Ultima VI: The False Prophet, System Shock, and Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss. From that to Epic Mickey, described as an adventure-platforming game with light role-playing elements, seems a bit of a back step, no? Maybe not.

"Mickey is an adventurous and rambunctious mouse," says Spector. "I want to bring his personality to the forefront, place him in a daunting world and connect his spirited character with video game players worldwide. Ultimately, each player decides for him- or herself what makes Mickey cool."

The first screen shots are also available now, and give off a Sorcerers Apprentice in Fantasia sort of vibe, in other words, more 1940s Disney than 2000s Disney. The game is set in "a beautiful, whimsically-twisted world where Disney`s forgotten and retired creations thrive." Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, who Disney's first created in 1927, is trapped there along with Mickey and other abandoned cartoon characters.

Game players use the Wii Remote, brandishing magical paint and thinner to change the world around them. Paint has creative power and thinner a damaging effect, allowing the player to make choices about how they move through the world. Choices in using the paint, thinner or both together change the environment with consequences that affect interactions with other characters and Mickey`s appearance and abilities.

"The core of this game is the idea of choice and consequence, and how that defines both the character and the player," said 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." Existentialism crossed with Walt Disney, I guess. If all goes well, the finished game should ship Fall 2010.