Breaking news confirms the recent rumors: Austin-based studio and developer of the Epic Mickey games for Disney, has been shut down.
The Warcraft movie gets a Director, Disney shutters Junction Point, and then James Haresign, Anthony Shelton and Jamie Donnelly give their thoughts and opinions on emulators and piracy. All in this week’s BeefJack Podcast.
Stafa and Ali talk about Far Cry 3 and Sonic & All Star Racing Transformed this week. The main topic is on non-linear games and game elements. After that, news on Playstation, Crytek USA & Vigil, Warren Spector, Massachutes pulling violent arcade games, CNN and David Jaffe, and Gabe Newell on Apple. We then wrap up the show with listener feedback.
WWC: "On this week’s episode: we lament Disney’s decision to close Junction Point Studios, speculate on Sony’s possible upcoming PS4 event, and gush over 17-BIT’s love letter to Japan, Skulls of the Shogun. Then we discuss Sony’s new referral program for selling more PS Vitas. Finally, we kick off our month of love dovey goodness with The Diet Goddess by Rumiko Takahashi. We also have a good time breaking down one of her other short stories, the very lighthearted Shake Your Buddha."
sad news :(
Hope my brother and all the JP staff find homes soon. Junction Point Studios 2004-2013.
I said this in the rumor story, but when just one game can close your studio, the business model for the industry is not sustainable. Something has to change or it will just get worse as more powerful consoles emerge, resulting in even larger budgets.
The Epic Mickey games could have been classic if not for the camera and in the case of Epic Mickey 2, poor helper AI. Still, I hope all of them land on their feet.
Knew this was going to happen, this is what happens when you decide to add more stuff in a sequel instead of first fixing the bunch of problems you had with the first game.
The Epic Mickey games could of been....well Epic but sadly they failed. I kind of saw how desperate they got when they tried to use the classic "Mickey Mouse in the.......of Illusion" title for the hand held Epic Mickey. You can't have a totally different franchise be a part of another one with a totally different style, it just doesn't work.
Hopefully these guys find other jobs else where