September 19, 2013 – Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Online Closes
“Dead men tell no tales, so I’m forced to let ye live.”
On September 19, 2013, the online multi-player game Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean officially closed. Launched in 2007, the game was based on the hit Pirates of the Caribbean film series, and players could create a pirate character to sail on adventures and explore pirate myths.
June 2, 2003 – Disney’s Toontown Online Officially Launches
“Ever wonder what it’d be like to live life as a toon?”
On June 2, 2003, the online community game Disney’s Toontown Online officially launched. The game was a multiplayer online role-playing game, and was developed by Disney’s Virtual Reality Studio, Schell Games, and Frogchildren Studios. Users could create their own toon avatar, and battle against antagonists called Cogs. There was also an early social media component to the game known as “SpeedChat,” with pre-approved phrases that users could use to chat with other users. The game was officially shut down on September 19, 2013.
May 21, 2008 – The Online Game Virtual Magic Kingdom Officially Shuts Down
On May 21, 2008, the online multiplayer game Virtual Magic Kingdom officially shut down its services. A joint project between Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Sulake Corporation, the game was created as a promotional tool to celebrate 50 years of Disney theme parks. The beta version of the game opened on May 23, 2005. Guests could create their own avatar and walk around themed lands similar to those found in Disneyland and Walt Disney World and play a variety of mini-games, such as Jungle Cruise Photo Safari, and a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed game of Capture the Flag. Guests were also able to complete special quests and collect display badges, pins, and clothes for their avatar.
May 14, 2002 – The English Version of Kingdom Hearts is Announced
“Kingdom Hearts is an epic tale of adventure, heroism and, ultimately, the sacrifice of what is held dearest for the greater good.”
On May 14, 2002, the English version of the popular Japanese game Kingdom Hearts was announced through public release. Created through a partnership with Square Co., Ltd., and Disney Interactive, the 3D role playing game introduces players to the character Sora who, alongside Donald and Goody, set off on a mission to find their friends and protect the Disney Castle; this was also the first game where multiple Disney characters and their worlds co-existed in one platform. The English cast of the game included Haley Joel Osment as Sora, David Gallagher as Riku, and Hayden Panettiere as Kairi.
August 18, 2013 – Disney Infinity is Launched in New York City
“Infinite possibilities. Endless Fun.”
On August 18, 2013, the action-adventure game Disney Infinity was officially released, with a launch event held in New York City’s Times Square at the end of “summer road trip” for the game. The launch event featured game demos, giveaways, and special guest appearances, including that of Chrissie Fit from Disney Channel’s Teen Beach Movie. The game was also available for purchase at stores nationwide n this date, with the first sets of characters from the films Pirates of the Caribbean, The Incredibles, Monsters University, Cars, and The Lone Ranger.
October 28, 2009 – The Development of the Video Game Epic Mickey is Announced
“I want to bring [Mickey’s] personality to the forefront, place him in a daunting world and connect his spirited character with the video game players worldwide.” – Warren Spector, Creative Director and Vice President of Junction Point
On October 28, 2009, the newly acquired Junction Point game development studio announced the creation of a new game that would take the classic “forgotten” characters and the return of Mickey Mouse’s old personality. The game, Epic Mickey, places the mouse in an area called the Wasteland, a ruined world that was cared for by Disney’s first creation, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. The game is of significant importance to Disney, as this is the first appearance of Oswald since Walt Disney lost rights to the character back in 1928. The game would go on to be released in November of 2010.
March 2, 2010 – The Action Adventure Video Game Alice in Wonderland is Released by Disney Interactive Studios
“Assist Alice in her journey through Wonderland as she makes her way toward the final battle against the Jabberwocky.”
On March 2, 2010, the single-player action adventure video game Alice in Wonderland was released by Disney Interactive Studios on the Wii, DS, and Zeebo, and PC platforms. The game was based on the live-action film of the same name, with most of the cast reprising their roles. The game has players guiding Alice in her journey through Wonderland, with characters such as the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat appearing to give Alice special abilities, such as altered perception and the ability to make things invisible. Players can pick to play the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, and the Caterpillar, and must solve increasingly complex puzzles to help move Alice along. The game received mixed reviews, with most of the criticism directed at the occasional experience of not knowing what to do next.
February 22, 2012 – The Interactive Game Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Launches at Walt Disney World
“Roam Magic Kingdom park in search of clues and use your newfound magical powers to defeat dastardly Disney Villains.”
On February 22, 2012, the interactive role-play game Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom launched after weeks of testing. Taking place in the Magic Kingdom park of Walt Disney World, guests are asked to assist Merlin in his quest to stop Hades from taking over the Magic Kingdom and collecting the pieces of the Crystal of the Magic Kingdom. There are three levels of gameplay: easy, medium, and hard. Guests are given a key card and a pack of cards, which are free with admission to the park, and are sent to special portals throughout the park to defeat a series of Disney villains the likes of Scar, Yzma, and Maleficent. There are seventy cards for guests to collect, each card with a different spell that interacts with the magic portals. After defeating all eight villains, guests have a final battle against Hades; after winning, guests are free to pick up a new pack of cards and begin a new game.
November 30, 2010 – The Platform Video Game Epic Mickey is Released
Image credit: amazon.com
“The world I had created was ravaged – a wasteland.”
On November 30, 2010, the platform video game Epic Mickey was released in North America, after previous releases in Australia on November 25and in Europe on November 26. Designed by Warren Spector and developed by Junction Point Studios, the game was published by Disney Interactive Studios and released on Nintendo’s Wii console. Epic Mickey was notable for being the first major project with Disney’s first successful animated character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, after the reacquisition of the character. The game was also designed to bring back the personality traits of Mickey Mouse from his earlier films, focusing less on the suburban “everyman” character Mickey became, and more on his mischievous and adventurous side. The game received mixed to positive reviews, and sold out its first day from the online Disney Store. Due to its immense popularity, a sequel was released on November 18, 2012.
The plot of the game deals with a land called the Cartoon Wasteland, created by the sorcerer Yen Sid as a home for obscure or discarded Disney characters, such as Oswald and Gremlin Gus. One day, a still-unknown Mickey Mouse enters the workshop where the model of the Cartoon Wasteland stands, and accidentally creates a creature known as the Shadow Blot. Mickey tries to erase it using paint thinner, but ends up spilling the thinner on the model. As Mickey tries to clean up before Yen Side returns, he creates more chaos and gives the Shadow Blot more strength. The Cartoon Wasteland becomes a land of ruin. Years later, the Shadow Blot abducts Mickey and takes him to the Wasteland, where he meets an angry and jealous Oswald. Mickey must use the magic paintbrush to win back Oswald’s trust and return the Cartoon Wasteland to its former glory.
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