June 20, 2013

Watch: Build Your Own Racing Tracks In ‘Disney Infinity’

Disney Infinity Track Builder - 1

Since the announcement of Disney Infinity, the new gaming platform that utilizes both Disney and Pixar franchises, much of the focus has been on the customizability of the initiative. The Toy Box mode allows gamers to mix characters from the distinct Disney/Pixar worlds and build a world for them to play in. Today, Disney Interactive has given us another idea of how huge the scope of the level of customization will be – you can build your own tracks for the characters to race on. After the break, you can check out video, photos, and more details of the track builder in Disney Infinity!

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Preview: Disney Infinity ‘Monsters University’ Play Set

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Disney Infinity is an ambitious new platform as it provides the developer the ability to release entire games. Previously reliant on producing standalone titles, the platform is a new venture for both Disney and Pixar properties. The starter pack will include The Incredibles, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Monsters University. Today, Disney Interactive has released a video, additional details and screenshots of the Monsters University Play Set, including our first official look at Randy (yes, the same Randall Boggs from Monsters, Inc.). Take a peek after the break!

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Watch: ‘What Is Disney Infinity?’ Episode 2 Breaks Down Starter Pack Characters

Disney Infinity

Disney Infinity is an upcoming gaming platform that will combine the characters from various Disney and Pixar properties for the first time. Aside from the opportunity to make these distinct characters interact, the platform will also be a venue for entire games starring these characters in their own worlds – Sulley will be able to go around the campus of Monsters University scaring fellow students, while Mr. Incredible can save the citizens of Metroville from harm. Disney Interactive has released Episode 2 of its video series taking a look at the game. Get a better understanding of the game’s starter pack after the break!

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Watch: ‘What Is Disney Infinity?’ Episode 1 Provides An Overview Of The Play Sets

Disney Infinity

Disney Infinity differs from the traditional video game in several arenas, but hardware is where the big difference lies. Physical figurines interact with the software to bring characters to life in the game and power discs are utilized as well to enable power-ups and unlock items, backgrounds, vehicles, and more. Disney Interactive is smartly launching a video series on YouTube that explains the intricacies of the game. Watch Episode 1 after the break!

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‘Disney Infinity’ Series 1 Power Discs Revealed – Homages To ‘Up,’ ‘Dumbo,’ ‘Aladdin,’ ‘Mickey Mouse,’ ‘Toy Story,’ ‘Mulan’ And More

Disney Infinity - Power Discs Series 1

Many have stated that Disney Infinity is simply the Disney corporation’s version of Activision’s Skylanders, a franchise that has earned over $1 billion from sales of its game as well as character figures that can be beamed into the game. While Disney Infinity also allows players to purchase and send characters into the game, its power discs that unlock items and power-ups differentiates it from Activision’s blockbuster game. The starter pack for Infinity will include one power disc, but other discs will be sold in blind packs. After the break, take a look at 20 power discs that will be included in Series 1!

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‘Disney Infinity’ Launch Date Pushed Back To August

Disney Infinity

In January, after months of rumors Disney Interactive confirmed that a new gaming platform called Disney Infinity was on the way and would be released in just a few months. Featuring entire games centered around the universes of Monsters University, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Incredibles included in the starter pack, players can also unlock more through the purchase of additional add-ons such as character figurines and playsets that opened up more new worlds. The initial release date was reported to be June, but the gaming division has just announced that Disney Infinity will be pushed back to August.

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Disney Infinity ‘Cars’ Playset Unveiled With New Trailer and 30+ Images

Disney Infinity - Lightning & Holley Figurines

Disney Infinity is an ambitious new gaming platform that will allow gamers to venture into the world of select Disney/Pixar properties, such as Monsters University, The Incredibles and Pirates of the Caribbean. Additionally, the Toy Box mode within the game lets the various characters interact with one another, potentially making this the largest Disney crossover ever. While the the three aforementioned properties will be included in the Starter Pack, there will be three more playsets that can be purchased at launch. This morning, Disney Interactive has officially unveiled the Cars playset. Get a closer look with a new trailer and more than 30 images after the break!

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The Potential of Exclusive ‘Disney Infinity’ Figurines Is Enormous

Disney Infinity

After walking out of the Disney Infinity announcement event in Hollywood last month, I found myself wondering where the boundaries of the game lay. Allowing gamers to collect and interact with dozens of character figurines that can then be plugged into the game, releasing power tokens (in blind packs) that can be used to provide the characters with abilities and vehicles, and including numerous nods to beloved Disney franchises such as Ducktales (Uncle Scrooge’s vault), are some of the factors that demonstrate the huge possibilities. Considering that trading will be expected with the power tokens, as players will have a disctint collection, there is further potential in adding limited-edition and exclusive figurines to the mix. It would be mind-blowing for the trading market.

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Ambitious ‘Disney Infinity’ Game Unveiled

Disney Infinity

Video games on home consoles are facing a serious threat from the increasing popularity of the mobile platform, which has the ability to easily deliver new content to millions of gamers for a lower price than the next generation platforms such as the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii are used to. Disney Interactive has decided to get a bit creative and shake up the traditional disc-only model by adding collectible figurines and power discs that enhance the onscreen play. I was invited to Hollywood yesterday to see the game, Disney Infinity, up-close – find all the details I uncovered on this ambitious new gaming initiative after the break!

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‘Disney Infinity’ To Be First Game To Include Both Disney And Pixar Characters

Disney Infinity

The memorable worlds that have been dreamed up by Disney and Pixar number in the dozens. Films and shorts have the ability to transport audiences into escapist fantasy, upon which games can add another level of interaction. Last year’s Disney Universe console game was the first console game to bring together the worlds of the two well-known studios, also allowing gamers to wear costumes inspired by the characters. Disney Infinity, which is set to be formally be announced next month, is set to take it one step further by bringing the actual characters from Pixar and Disney together. Find more details about the game after the break!

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Watch: Disney’s ‘Epic Mickey 2′ Characters Featurette

Epic Mickey 2 Concept Art - Train Station

The Epic Mickey video game series has become known for bringing back long-forgotten or underused Disney characters and attractions that were a great inspiration to artists at Disney, Pixar, and other animation studios. In Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit officially steps into the Disney spotlight once more. In a new featurette released by Disney Interactive, creator Warren Spector talks about Oswald and the various characters that appear in the game, including a strong female addition. After the break, check out the featurette and view some new concept art and images from the highly-anticipated sequel!

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Watch: Opening Of ‘Epic Mickey 2′ Features Musical Number

Epic Mickey 2 Box Art

The highly-aniticipated follow-up to Disney’s hit Epic Mickey is set to arrive in the fall. Although the first game in the series was only available for the Nintendo Wii, Epic Mickey 2 is making a big splash by debuting on all major home consoles. What is special about the games is that they honor classic and long-forgotten Disney characters and locales that we have not seen for many years like Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, who Walt Disney created before Mickey Mouse. Epic Mickey 2 also features musical numbers, channeling classic Disney films. After the break, watch the first musical number from the game in HD! [Read more...]

Actress Kelly Macdonald On Voicing Merida In ‘Brave’ And Its Video Game

Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar

Great acting means that viewers forget that they are watching an actor or actress playing a role – the actor fully becomes the character. In Brave, actress Kelly Macdonald voices the main character, Merida, and does a beautiful job at convincing us we are watching the journey of a teenager trying to connect with her mother. With Brave now playing in North America (and starting to expand to theaters around the world) and its video game adaptation available, Macdonald spoke about voicing the fiery redhead for the screen as well as the game console. Watch the video in HD after the break! [Read more...]

“Brave: The Video Game” Now Available For Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS, PC and MAC

Brave The Video Game - Xbox 360 Box Art

Films of the action/adventure sort have the potential to be entertaining video games, but adaptations often fall short. Disney Interactive, though, has been on somewhat of a roll with its releases of high-quality games based on Toy Story 3 and Cars 2. Working closely with Pixar, the game developers have been focused on bringing gamers of all ages an experience that is faithful to the films, as well as an enjoyable adventure that goes beyond the film’s story. Brave: The Video Game, which hopes to continue that tradition, is now available for all major gaming consoles. [Read more...]

Watch: Go Behind-the-Scenes of ‘Epic Mickey 2′

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Mickey and some of the lesser-known Disney characters and attractions are returning this fall in Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, the sequel to the Wii-exclusive video game. The sequel will be hitting all of the major consoles this time around and will try to keep the series fresh by making the game a musical. As a fan of Disney’s properties, I cannot wait to see the unique concepts of this game come to life. We have a great behind-the-scenes video for you, which you can check out after the break!
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Premiere: Watch ‘Brave’ Video Game Trailers

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Along with our fellow Pixar blogs, we are excited to exclusively premiere the trailers for “Brave: The Video Game.” The video game adaptation of the highly anticipated Pixar film looks to continue the wonderful streak of high-quality games from Disney Interactive based on Pixar properties. The action adventure takes Merida and a supporting cast that includes bears on an epic journey through ancient Scotland. Take a look at the trailers for “Brave: The Video Game” after the jump! [Read more...]

Exclusive: A Chat With The ‘Brave’ Video Game Producer

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Previously categorized as cheap attempts to make money, games based on properties have come a long way over the past decade. Pixar realized the importance of the art and began working closer than ever with the teams developing video games based on its films. The Toy Story 3 and Cars 2 games are recent success stories for Disney Interactive and Pixar, smartly developed to be accessible and fun for everyone, without alienating gamers looking for more of a challenge. Recently, I had the chance to ask Brave video game producer, Glendon Dphrepaulezz, a few questions about Pixar’s involvement, the gameplay, and more. Read our exclusive interview with him after the jump! [Read more...]

First Look: New ‘Brave’ Video Game Screenshots Showcase Film’s Fantastical Side

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Just when I have been thinking about how we have not seen much of the fantasy elements that will be present in Brave (outside of the monstrous bear Mor’du and the blue will-o’-the-wisp lights that hover around the forest), Disney Interactive has released some screenshots from the upcoming video game that give us glimpses into the fantastical side of the film. Take a look at the new screenshots after the jump! Just be aware that these images may very well contain spoilers for the film (you won’t know what is happening, but it displays some previously unseen forces). You can rest assured, though, that there will be some sick action sequences in the film. [Read more...]

Disney Announces ‘Epic Mickey 2′ For XBox 360, PS3, and Wii, Game To Be A Musical

Epic Mickey 2 Box Art

Those who had the chance to play though Epic Mickey for the Wii were met with an original and creative game starring Disney’s lovable mascot. Although it is not related to Pixar, Warren Specter, developer and chief designer of the game, worked with Disney as well as Pixar to ensure that the game would be an enjoyable and imaginative experience for gamers. Disney has just announced that the game is getting a sequel and it is coming to all major home consoles. Check out the trailer, box art, screenshots, and more details after the jump! [Read more...]

‘Brave’ Video Game Launching This Summer

Brave Video Game - Merida

Epic storyline. Archery. Horseback riding. Stunning landscape. Throw all of these elements together and you may have a great film, but you also have what can be an awesome video game. Disney Interactive just announced this morning that it is currently developing Brave: The Video Game and is targeting the summer for its release on the XBox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, Nintendo DS, and the PC and MAC. After the jump, check out the official logo and all the details on the game revealed in the press release. [Read more...]