History Trivia / EpicMickey

* At a panel, Creator/WarrenSpector mentioned that he limited the references to other Creator/{{Disney}} films up to ''WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook1967'' in order to prevent himself from going overboard. At the same panel Creator/PeterDavid mentioned that ''WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook1967'' was, incidentally, the last film Creator/WaltDisney had a direct hand in making. Warren then replied that that was now the official reason.

* LimitedSpecialCollectorsUltimateEdition: The pre-order of the game comes with a Behind the Scenes DVD, a Mickey figure, and some decals for the UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} and Wiimote.

* PromotedFanboy: Warren Spector is a pretty big Disney fan before being given the project.

** A larger example comes from the decision why the game is a Wii exclusive. It was originally a Xbox 360/[=PS3=] game, but when he was asked about a Wii version, Warren Spector decided he didn't want to it to make it a bogged-down port. So they decided to make it a Wii exclusive. [[HilariousInHindsight Hilariously,]] Epic Mickey 2 and the 2024 Rebrushed version are both multiplatform.

** In 2015, [[https://twitter.com/DisneyAPromos/status/1642581729876627458 Warren Spector proposed a film adaptation]] of Epic Mickey, but while he was able to put together a trailer with a team and budget, Disney rejected the proposal. While no official explanation was given, this likely stems from Disney's [[NoAdaptationsAllowed general opposition to feature films starring Mickey Mouse, given that they've rejected numerous proposals of films starring him in the past]].

* MissingTrailerScene: A behind-the-scenes trailer showed The Mad Doctor and Oswald working together in the opening to take Mickey’s heart with the plunger which Mickey later tosses towards them.

** A larger example comes from the decision why the game is a Wii exclusive. It was originally a Xbox 360/[=PS3=] game, but when he was asked about a Wii version, Warren Spector decided he didn't want to it to make it a bogged-down port. So they decided to make it a Wii exclusive.

** In 2015, [[https://twitter.com/DisneyAPromos/status/1642581729876627458 Warren Spector proposed a film adaptation]] of Epic Mickey, but while he was able to put together a trailer with a team and budget, Disney rejected the proposal. While no official explanation was given, this likely stems from Disney's [[NoAdaptationsAllowed general opposition to feature films starring Mickey Mouse, given that they've shot numerous proposals of films starring him in the past]].

** In 2015, [[https://twitter.com/DisneyAPromos/status/1642581729876627458 Warren Spector proposed a film adaptation]] of Epic Mickey, but while he was able to put together a trailer with a team and budget, Disney rejected the proposal.

** [[https://external-preview.redd.it/SjStn9uRBt4nMKy0Jdb0sCyWPJ9rmlAx4AaLqliO4RI.jpg?auto=webp&s=d6e9c2e9ee53851c3eca41d693980616e73fb525 One piece of concept art]] shows that a land based off of Epcot and Hollywood Studios was considered at one point, but seemingly never made it past the concept stage. Wasteland in the final game largely limits itself to using Disneyland[=/=]The Magic Kingdom as inspiration.

** In 2015, [[https://twitter.com/DisneyAPromos/status/1642581729876627458 Warren Spector proposed a film adaptation]] of Epic Mickey, but Disney rejected the proposal. While no reason has been given for Disney's rejection, it is most likely because [[NoAdaptationsAllowed of their opposition to feature films starring Mickey, as they have rejected other proposals in the past.]]

** In 2015, [[https://twitter.com/DisneyAPromos/status/1642581729876627458 Warren Spector proposed a film adaptation]] of Epic Mickey, but while he was able to assemble a team and a budget, Disney rejected the proposal. Likely because [[NoAdaptationsAllowed of their historic opposition to feature films starring Mickey at all.]]

** In 2015, [[https://twitter.com/DisneyAPromos/status/1642581729876627458 Warren Spector proposed a film adaptation]] of Epic Mickey, but Disney scrapped it.

* TheWikiRule: [[https://epicmickey.fandom.com/wiki/Epic_Mickey_Wiki The Epic Mickey Wiki.]]

** A larger example comes from the decision why the game is a Wii exclusive. It was originally a Xbox 360/[=PS3=] game, but when he was asked about a Wii version, Warren Spector decided he didn't want to it to make it a bogged-down port. [[InsaneTrollLogic So they decided to make it a Wii exclusive.]]

** Oswald was originally going to be the main antagonist of the game, with the FinalBoss being him [[FusionDance fused together]] with the Shadow Blot to become the "[[http://hamilton74.deviantart.com/art/Epic-Mickey-Storm-Blot-193975504 Storm Blot]]". When Warren Specor came on as director, he made the decision to turn Oswald into an AntiHero since he wanted people to love Oswald again, not hate or fear him.

* MissingTrailerScene: A trailer for an earlier pitch of the story showed The Phantom Blot and Oswald working together as Mickey tosses a plunger towards them.

!!Sorted

** The "[[CharacterModelKarmaMeter Scrapper]]" mechanic (where [[WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse Mickey's]] appearance would change to reflect the player's moral decisions) has been... ''[[{{Pun}} scrapped.]]'' Depending on whether Mickey's actions were good or bad, his appearance would have changed into either the tall and proud "[[IncorruptiblePurePureness Hero]]" form or the dark, hunched-over "[[AntiHero Scrapper]]" form. Even before ''these'' were cut from the game, there were two other, much more evil-looking forms proposed (one of which you can see in this [[http://epicmickey.wikia.com/wiki/File:Concept-mickey.jpg concept art]]), that would only be attainable if the player took the worst actions possible. Spector said that [[SeriousBusiness people didn't like having Mickey's iconic appearance tampered with]], so instead his {{Fairy Companion}}s turn blue or {{sickly green|Glow}}. The change from the Scrapper/Hero system to Guardian system was also made so people wouldn't just try to play the meter and instead make their own choices. More concept art regarding the mechanic can be seen [[https://www.deviantart.com/hamilton74/gallery here]] for those interested.

%%* DoingItForTheArt: Outside of the meddling mentioned under ScrewedByTheNetwork, Disney were actually quite lenient on what went in the game (as seen under Crazy Awesome in the YMMV page).

** [[https://external-preview.redd.it/SjStn9uRBt4nMKy0Jdb0sCyWPJ9rmlAx4AaLqliO4RI.jpg?auto=webp&s=d6e9c2e9ee53851c3eca41d693980616e73fb525 One piece of concept art]] shows that a land based off of Epcot and Hollywood Studios was considered at one point, which was scrapped. Wasteland in the final game largely limits itself to using Disneyland[=/=]The Magic Kingdom as inspiration.

** [[https://external-preview.redd.it/SjStn9uRBt4nMKy0Jdb0sCyWPJ9rmlAx4AaLqliO4RI.jpg?auto=webp&s=d6e9c2e9ee53851c3eca41d693980616e73fb525 One piece of concept]] art shows that an land that would have based off of Epcot and Hollywood Studios was considered at one point. The final game's largely sticks with the Disneyland[=/=]Magic Kingdom inspired setting.

%%* DoingItForTheArt: Outside of the meddling mentioned under ScrewedByTheNetwork, Disney were actually quite lenient on what went in the game (as seen under CrazyAwesome in the YMMV page).

** A larger example comes from the decision why the game is a Wii exclusive. It was originally a XBOX 360/[=PS3=] game, but when he was asked about a Wii version, Warren Spector decided he didn't want to it to make it a bogged-down port. [[InsaneTrollLogic So they decided to make it a Wii exclusive.]]

* TheWikiRule: [[http://epicmickey.wikia.com/wiki/Epic_Mickey_Wiki The Epic Mickey Wiki]].

* TheMerch:
** Showing up in Ride/DisneyThemeParks after the game's release was a lot of merch featuring old Mickey (including at least one shirt featuring a shot of him from ''Gallopin' Gaucho'', a short that fell into company CanonDiscontinuity for having Mickey light a cigarette with his foot among other things.) This game is why.

* ScrewedByTheNetwork: the finished game was originally supposed to be a late 2011/December 2011 release, but Disney cut the development time by a full year for the 2010 holiday season, meaning the game technically isn't finished.

** Another storyboard shows [[http://web.archive.org/web/20150208121914/https://billygeorge.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ursula_7.jpg Ursula]] as a villain in the story. According to the Art Book, Ursula would have lived inside The Jug, originally written as a separate location from Mickeyjunk Mountain attached to various machinery filtering out the thinner in the environment.

** Another storyboard shows [[http://web.archive.org/web/20150208121914/https://billygeorge.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ursula_7.jpg]] as a villain in the story. According to the Art Book, Ursula would have lived inside The Jug, originally written as a separate location from Mickeyjunk Mountain attached to various machinery filtering out the thinner in the environment.

** Another storyboard shows [[http://billygeorge.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ursula_7.jpg Ursula]] as a villain in the story. According to the Art Book, Ursula would have lived inside The Jug, originally written as a separate location from Mickeyjunk Mountain attached to various machinery filtering out the thinner in the environment.

* At a panel, Creator/WarrenSpector mentioned that he limited the references to other Creator/{{Disney}} films up to ''Disney/TheJungleBook'' in order to prevent himself from going overboard. At the same panel Creator/PeterDavid mentioned that ''Disney/TheJungleBook'' was, incidentally, the last film Creator/WaltDisney had a direct hand in making. Warren then replied that that was now the official reason.

** Unfinished videos for "balloon" and "fireworks" sketches can be found in the game's files.

* At a panel, Warren Spector mentioned that he limited the references to other Creator/{{Disney}} films up to ''Disney/TheJungleBook'' in order to prevent himself from going overboard. At the same panel Creator/PeterDavid mentioned that ''Disney/TheJungleBook'' was, incidentally, the last film Creator/WaltDisney had a direct hand in making. Warren then replied that that was now the official reason.

* RoleReprisal: Creator/CoreyBurton returns to voice Yen Sid, after voicing him in the ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' series.

** Before the concept of Mickey using the paintbrush was finalized, many sketches and ideas of Mickey's paint abilities were of him using ''himself'' as the paint, ink constantly dripping of him and even some drawings having parts of him reduced to a sketch due to how much paint he was using.

* AscendedFanon: At a panel, Warren Spector mentioned that he limited the references to other Creator/{{Disney}} films up to ''Disney/TheJungleBook'' in order to prevent himself from going overboard. Creator/PeterDavid, on the same panel, mentioned that ''Disney/TheJungleBook'' was, incidentally, the last film Creator/WaltDisney had a direct hand in making, so Warren Spector said that was the official reason from now on.

* CowboyBebopAtHisComputer: Many people mistook the game as ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsIII'' when it first debuted.
* DoingItForTheArt: Outside of the meddling mentioned under ScrewedByTheNetwork, Disney were actually quite lenient on what went in the game (as seen under CrazyAwesome in the YMMV page).
* DuelingGames: ''Very'' broadly. The simple fact that it's a rather "unorthodox" Creator/{{Disney}} game that features Mickey Mouse being cooler than you remember is getting it compared to the ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' series. Some occasionally bring in an "East vs. West" mentality to arguments over which is superior, to complicate matters further.
* ExecutiveMeddling: Seemingly averted. Interestingly, Creator/{{Disney}}'s support of the game style is rumored to be related to the business-savvy observation that the company's biggest profits in {{video game}}s come from ones willing to adopt a semi-dark style, as well as genuinely trying to revamp Mickey as a genuinely useful (and marketable) character.
* ExecutiveVeto: Granted, they've vetoed some minor elements along the way, but considering how over-protective Creator/{{Disney}}'s been regarding the Mouse (remember the ''WesternAnimation/RunawayBrain'' fiasco?), this could actually be a good thing by the company.
* LimitedSpecialCollectorsUltimateEdition: Comes with a Behind the Scenes DVD, a Mickey figure, and some decals for the UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} and [[PunBasedTitle Wiimote]].
* MarthDebutedInSmashBros: You can bet your left foot that most people who are aware of Oswald's existence owe it to this game (which was intentionally made as a comeback vehicle for both him and his brother, and the games at least acknowledge Oswald's original cartoons). Adding to the issue is that while half of his original cartoons are available on DVD, said set only got a limited release, and wasn't released in other countries.

** Showing up in Ride/DisneyThemeParks after the game's release was a lot of merch featuring old Mickey (including at least one shirt featuring a shot of him from ''Gallopin' Gaucho'', a short that fell into company CanonDisContinuity for having Mickey light a cigarette -with his foot- among other things.) This game is why.
** Of course, the whole "needing to make money from these properties in order to continue holding an extended copyright to them" thing probably helps, too. If Oswald becomes a regular member of the Creator/{{Disney}} crew, you can thank this game.
** Creator/{{Disney}}'s also planning some more directly ''Epic Mickey''-themed merch, most notably [[http://kotaku.com/5532673/disneys-dark-epic-mickey-also-coming-to-childrens-book-form books,]] [[http://wii.nintendolife.com/news/2010/06/epic_mickey_paintbrush_controller_and_charging_station a paintbrush-shaped Nunchuck shell, and an elaborate Wii Remote charger featuring sculptures of Mickey and the Shadow Blot.]] Disney seems very confident in this game.
* PlayingAgainstType: OK, raise your hand if you expected the creator of ''VideoGame/DeusEx'' to helm a Mickey Mouse game before this was announced. Chances are, only a few actually did. Less of a surprise if you were aware of Warren Spector's work on Creator/SteveJacksonGames' classic ''Toon!'' RPG.
* PromotedFanboy: Warren Spector is a pretty big Disney fan. And now he gets to write for the ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales'' comic book after he's begged to make a ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales'' video game.
* RoleReprisal: Creator/CoreyBurton returns to voice Yen Sid. He's known as the voice of Yen Sid in the Franchise/KingdomHearts series.
* ScrewedByTheNetwork: Despite Disney's CrazyAwesome status listed in the YMMV tab, the finished game was originally supposed to be a late 2011/December 2011 release, but cut the development time by a full year, therefore the game technically '''isn't finished''', which explains [[CameraScrew most of]] the problems.

** The "[[CharacterModelKarmaMeter Scrapper]]" mechanic (where [[WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse Mickey's]] appearance would change to reflect the player's moral decisions) has been... ''[[{{Pun}} scrapped.]]'' Depending on whether Mickey's actions were good or bad, his appearance would have changed into either the tall and proud "[[IncorruptiblePurePureness Hero]]" form or the dark, hunched-over "[[AntiHero Scrapper]]" form. Even before ''these'' were cut from the game, there were two other, much more evil-looking forms proposed (one of which you can see in this [[http://epicmickey.wikia.com/wiki/File:Concept-mickey.jpg concept art]]), that would only be attainable if the player took the worst actions possible. Spector said that [[SeriousBusiness people didn't like having Mickey's iconic appearance tampered with]]. Instead, now his {{Fairy Companion}}s turn blue or {{sickly green|Glow}}. To elaborate further, the change from the Scrapper/Hero system to Guardian system was made because then you'd have to worry less about people just trying to play the meter and instead make their own choices.
** WordOfGod is that the leaked concept art was made of ideas rejected because they were ''too'' edgy for Spector.
** An ''Alice in Wonderland'' level based on "Alice's Curious Labyrinth" from [[Ride/DisneyThemeParks Disneyland Paris]] was planned but scrapped to avoid confusion with the Creator/TimBurton film. It can still be seen in Yen Sid's model of the Wasteland. When Mickey spills the thinner into the Wasteland, one can see the Labyrinth model sinking away into nothingness, further explaining why it never appears in the game.
** [[http://hamilton74.deviantart.com/art/Epic-Mickey-Attacking-193974282 These]] [[http://hamilton74.deviantart.com/art/Epic-Mickey-Storm-Blot-193975504 concept]] [[http://hamilton74.deviantart.com/art/Thinner-Mickey-193969166 arts]] [[http://hamilton74.deviantart.com/art/Thinner-Mickey-Sketch-194737327 say]] [[http://hamilton74.deviantart.com/art/Epic-Mickey-s-powers-193972562 it]] [[http://hamilton74.deviantart.com/art/The-Blot-confronting-Mickey-193972968 all]]. In specific, this art shows the unused Scrapper mechanic, as well as the "Storm Blot", a mixture of Oswald and The Shadow Blot.
** Oswald was also originally going to be the main antagonist of the game before he was made in to an anti-hero by Warren Specor when he was brought on as director, since Spector wanted people to love Oswald again, not hate or fear him.

** A larger example comes from the decision why the game is a Wii exclusive. It was originally a XBOX 360/[=PS3=] game, but when he was asked about a Wii version, Warren Spector decided he didn't want to it to make it a bogged-down port. [[FridgeLogic So, they decided to make it a Wii exclusive...]] (It should also be noted that he's also a big Nintendo fan.)
** The Phantom Blot would have appeared as a separate character from the Shadow Blot, but it was decided to only have the Shadow Blot because of concerns that players would be confused as to which Blot the characters are talking about.
** Unfinished videoes for “balloon” and “fireworks” sketches can be found in the game files.