It's the news of the week, and it's really cool: Disney Interactive studios officially announces today that a Toy Story Mania video game - of course inspired from the DCA and WDW attraction - will be released this fall, exclusively for Nintendo Wii. And in 3D!
On a certain point of view, what's more logical? TSM is a more a huge video game than a real ride, so more than any other Disney attraction a video game adaptation was logical, if not inevitable.
For the first time a Disney attraction is coming to your home, almost with the same technology, although it will be always more sophisticated in the parks. The game will be released this fall, probably when the Toy Story movie will be re-release in 3D next October. Hmmm, i think that now i can't escape to buy a Nintendo Wii...
Here is the full Disney Interactive studios press release and screenshots of this awaited Wii game.
DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS ANNOUNCES TOY STORY MANIA!, INSPIRED BY THE DISNEY/PIXAR FEATURE FILM "TOY STORY" EXCLUSIVELY FOR Wii
Beloved "Toy Story" Characters and Theme Park Attraction Provide Backdrop for Family-Friendly Carnival-Style Video Game
BURBANK, Calif., (March 24, 2009) Disney Interactive Studios today announced Toy Story Mania!, inspired by the Disney/Pixar animated feature "Toy Story," will be released exclusively for the Wii home video game console this fall. Toy Story Mania! showcases an array of entertaining games based on the new Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort attractions, while featuring the iconic characters and humor from the popular Disney/Pixar "Toy Story" franchise.
"The 'Toy Story' franchise is a fun, dynamic and heart-warming series containing characters and themes that connect with every age group," said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "Toy Story Mania! combines those popular elements with the unique antics of the new theme park attraction for the ultimate in family entertainment."
In Toy Story Mania!, players experience the fast-paced, zany fun of the Toy Story Mania! theme park attraction, which is an interactive experience requiring 3D glasses and involving rapid or quick-firing shooting galleries. In addition to galleries adapted from the attraction, the game includes new and original galleries and a series of mini games, all hosted by beloved characters from the movies. The thematically-connected levels are designed for up to four players of all ages with competitive and co-operative multiplayer options. Toy Story Mania! also includes bonus 3D features, transforming the game experience with eye-popping visuals.
The Pixar-created "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" have both had successful box office and DVD sales. The Disney Digital 3D™ theatrical re-release of "Toy Story" is in the works and will open in theatres on October 2, 2009, followed by the 3D re-release of "Toy Story 2" opening on February 12, 2010, leading up to the premiere of "Toy Story 3" in 3D summer 2010. Toy Story Mania! is the first video game to place characters from these films into a carnival game setting and is expected to resonate with fans of the films and the attraction, as well as gamers who like pick-up-and-play party games
Developed by Papaya Studio, Toy Story Mania! will be available this fall exclusively for Wii.
Pictures: copyright Disney-Pixar - Screenshots thanks to IGN.com
This seems like a miscalculation. Success means more people will have this game in the their homes, making the theme park attraction less attractive/exclusive. Why travel to the parks if the content (in a lesser form) is available in home?
ReplyDeleteFailure of the game will tarnish the image of the attraction. To me it seems like Disney is just trying to capitalize on the R and D of the attraction of milking every cent it can from it.
That said, I will probably still buy it. My bad.
Big mistake. Critics of Midway Mania have said its like playing Wii in a moving vehicle... now it literally will be.
ReplyDeleteDisney, here's some advice... build things in your parks that the public can't experience every day. Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Expedition Everest, PotC - they're called attractions because they ATTRACT people. When was the last time someone was enticed to a theme park to check out a new parade.
Well I think its great news simply because it was one of my favorite rides in WDW but only managed to ride a few times because if yo didnt get there at park opening or managed to get a fast pass before midday the queues were huge.
ReplyDeleteI also think that playing the game at home can not take away the fun of riding it LIVE.
As far as I can see it, the experience of going to one of the parks to ride TSM totally outshines the experience of playing it on your Wii, sitting in your livingroom.
ReplyDeleteIt's not going to prevent people from going to the parks or stop going to ride TSM at all. In fact, it might even boost people to go check it out who might not have taken a ride yet and cause people who love the ride, to continue to experience it over and over at home. Win, win situation if you ask me.
Heck, if they did this for other rides, all it does is act like free advertisement for the rides.
Does anybody know what kind of 3D technology they will be using? I don't suppose they're able to add a polarization filter to my screen ;).
ReplyDeleteAlso, shutter-techniques do not really work on normal LCD screens, due to latency. CRT screens would allow shutter technologies, but would probably induce headaches because of the nasty interlacing. Additionally, more recent CRT screens do all kind of signal reprocessing to achieve 100Hz/120Hz refresh-rates, which would kill the 3D effect. And I don't suppose they will bring back that old retro red/blue colored glasses? ;)
The only effect that they could somewhat bring a 3D effect is by using the "Pulfrich effect", which would work with normal consumer screens and a simple pair of glasses, one with a dark filter, the other with a clear glass. This Pulfrich effect works with high-motion scenes, but you should consider it as "3D Light", it's not as convincing as the shutter glasses or polarized glasses method.
john, i'll try to know what kind of 3D technique will be used, and, promise, i'll let you know! (when i'll have the answer)
ReplyDeleteThis is great. I love everything Disney does.
ReplyDelete