At the spookiest time of the year, Gameinformer magazine is following suit by releasing the world exclusive details of the dark and twisted upcoming Mickey Mouse game titled: 'Epic Mickey.'
Gameinformer has redesigned the front cover of their November issue with a screenshot of the macabre mouse. Some of the sinister sketches from the inner-workings of 'Epic Mickey' were leaked on the site of sci-fi and fantasy illustrator Fred Gambino, and can be seen in this gallery.
'Epic Mickey' is the much anticipated apocalyptic release from Junction Point and Disney Interactive Studios for the Wii gaming platform.
Post-Apocalyptic Cartoons
'Epic Mickey' Sees Disney's Most Iconic Character Get a Creepy Makeover
Trend Themes
1. Dark Reworks - The redesign of Mickey Mouse and the darker storytelling of Epic Mickey show a trend towards reimagining classic characters and franchises to appeal to older audiences.
2. Apocalyptic Games - The release of 'Epic Mickey' and its dark and twisted storyline shows a trend towards more post-apocalyptic games that explore darker themes and more complex moral decisions.
3. Leaked Artwork - The leaking of concept art from 'Epic Mickey' on the website of illustrator Fred Gambino shows a trend towards fans and insiders sharing early or exclusive content before official releases.
Industry Implications
1. Gaming - The release of 'Epic Mickey' and its radical reworking of Disney's most iconic character shows a disruptive innovation opportunity for gaming companies to explore darker and more mature themes in mainstream titles for a wider audience.
2. Art & Illustration - The leaking of concept art from 'Epic Mickey' on the website of illustrator Fred Gambino shows a disruptive innovation opportunity for artists to build a following and gain early access to audiences through social media and online sharing.
3. Entertainment & Media - The redesign and darker storytelling of 'Epic Mickey' shows a disruptive innovation opportunity for entertainment and media companies to rework classic tales and characters to attract new audiences and stay relevant.