Disney Interactive

05.19.12

To be honest, Nintendo did manage to do fairly well with the Wii.  Not only did it finally nail down using a typical CD format for its games (shying away from the cartridge and mini-discs it used previously), but it also effectively introduced motion gaming to the scene, with such favorites as Wii Sports and Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2.  And while it is on its last legs with the upcoming Wii U slated for release this fall, that doesn’t mean the party is completely over for it.  In fact, there are five games that will still make it worth playing this summer – that is, if the Wii is the only option you have.

05.13.12

AUSTIN – Disney Interactive Media Group has big plans for Mickey Mouse. The studio’s Junction point development studio is hard at work on the sequel to the bestselling Disney’s Epic Mickey game. Only this time, the new game is going co-op and cross-platform for even more interactive fun. Junction Point founder Warren Spector talks about Disney’s Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two in the exclusive video interview below.

05.13.12

Marvel’s The Avengers crossed the $1 billion threshold at the global box office on Mother’s Day May 13, its 19th day in release, The Walt Disney Studios movie has become the first official summer blockbuster. This is the first Marvel Studios film and the fifth Walt Disney Studios release to reach this important milestone. Director Joss Whedon talks about the movie in the exclusive video interview below.

05.11.12

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT – The actor behind half of Disney’s popular “Phineas & Ferb” TV series, and gaming franchise, was at EPCOT to preview the new Agent P’s Showcase Adventure attraction. Kim Possible is moving out and the hottest show on Disney Channel today is moving in. Vincent Martella talks about the show going live and interactive in the video below.

05.04.12

Thanks to Joss Whedon, Disney will soon forget the epic flop known as John Carter. The director already has an international hit on his hands. Marvel’s The Avengers has made over $280 million overseas already – earning more than Iron Man, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger made during their entire theatrical runs. Whedon is taking everything in stride, as you can tell with this tongue-in-cheek video interview below.

04.29.12

Disney Cruise Line is pushing interactive entertainment even further with its latest game experience for the Midship Detective Agency. The new Disney Fantasy cruise ship, which offers seven-day cruises throughout the Caribbean, has an exclusive Muppet adventure game called The Case of the Stolen Show. During the cruise, guests can take an interactive adventure quest around the ship, uncovering clues through two dozen Enchanted Art pieces as well as physical evidence. Walt Disney Imagineer Karen Leung discusses the brand new game experience in the exclusive video interviews below and on the next page.

04.27.12

Throughout the history of video games, the oldest stereotype surrounding the industry has always been do violent video games affect player behavior and personality. It is a known fact that people who play games are exposed to more violence than the average consumer. From nuking entire civilization to obliterating players online, it’s has become more and more common now that games are more focus on squarely providing violent action. For this reason alone, parents have long held an underlining negative attitude towards the industry and those who stand by it, but is this criticism injustice or have developers gone to far? Should government step in?

04.23.12

Disney Cruise Line doesn’t want passengers to take a vacation from gaming. Walt Disney Imagineer Bob Zalk was at the forefront of equipping the new $1 billion Disney Fantasy ship, and its sister the Disney Magic, with state-of-the-art gaming technology that can’t be found on land. Zalk talks about how gaming on the new cruise ship in this exclusive video interview below.

04.22.12

Talk about expectations. On the heels of its epic flop, John Carter, Walt Disney Pictures is relying more than ever on a successful launch of Marvel’s The Avengers on May 4th. The man behind the biggest super hero movie of all time, Joss Whedon, is taking everything in stride. In fact, the director shows a great sense of humor as he discusses the new movie, The Avengers video game and comic books in this exclusive video interview below.

 

 

04.18.12

There’s a new game at Walt Disney World. The Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game is enlisting guests to discover and defeat the Disney villains who are wreaking havoc behind the scenes at the Walt Disney World Resort theme park. In this role-playing game, guests become apprentice sorcerers and embark on a challenge to stop these animated villains from stealing one of the four shattered pieces of Merlin’s powerful crystal ball. Videogame veteran Jonathan Ackley talks about this newest attraction in the videos below.

04.15.12

The Disney Fantasy, and its sister ship the Disney Magic, are amazing feats of wonder. The ships feature the latest technology, including new videogame experiences that can’t be found on land. Of course, there’s also Disney “magic” in the form of character interaction, a 3D movie theater showing movies that are still in theaters, and a videogame dance floor made up of 16 big-screen HD TVs. Up on the top deck, hidden near the Goofy’s Mini Golf, is a new interactive experience that uses laser technology to allow passengers to throw, kick and hit real balls against a giant screen to play sports. Take an inside look at Goofy’s Sports Simulator in the exclusive video below.

04.07.12

Inspired by scenes and locations from the Disney Animal Kingdom theme park, Disney Animal Kingdom Explorers was created by Playdom in partnership with the park’s scientists to ensure environmentally correct game play. Players will have the opportunity to become part of the Global Wildlife Research team, learn about rare and endangered species and build their own virtual preserves to house and protect hundreds of animals and plants from around the globe.  Players are even encouraged to be conscious of the needs of animals and their habitats - placing animals who cohabitate well next to each other will earn the player extra points.

03.27.12

When Epic Mickey came out for the Nintendo Wii a couple of years ago, it introduced an interesting alternative style for the legendary Walt Disney character, one with a vivid new world for him to explore and compelling new gameplay elements that let him change the world.  And though not everyone was crazy about the game being exclusive to Nintendo’s console, he certainly shook things up, opening the door for a hit franchise.  Now, in 2012, it’ll reach its fullest potential, with Epic Mickey 2 set to hit various systems, including Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.  But that’s not all – it’s coming to the 3DS as well, and is set to be better than you could ever expect.

03.23.12

AUSTIN -- Disney Interactive’s Junction Point development studio is working on Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, the sequel to the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Disney Epic Mickey video game.  In Disney Epic Mickey 2, gamers will play as Mickey Mouse and for the first time ever, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt Disney’s first cartoon star, in an all-new adventure of creativity and discovery. Created by video game industry luminary Warren Spector, Disney Epic Mickey 2 returns the franchise to the Wii and expands it to new HD consoles PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The trailer for one of the big games of 2012 can be seen below.