FILE - This undated publicity file photo provided by Disney shows Mickey Mouse using a paintbrush to fight a monster in "Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two," (Disney, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, $59.99; Wii U, $54.99; Wii, $49.99). The interactive arm of the Walt Disney Co. announced Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, that it is closing Junction Point Studios. The Austin, Texas-based video game developer created 2010's "Disney Epic Mickey" and its 2012 sequel "Epic Mickey 2." (AP Photo/Disney)
Disney shows Mickey Mouse using a paintbrush to fight a monster in "Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two". — AP Photo

LOS ANGELES: Now it's time to say goodbye to ''Epic Mickey.'' The interactive division of the Walt Disney Co. announced Tuesday that it is closing Junction Point Studios, its Austin, Texas-based developer that created 2010's ''Disney Epic Mickey'' and its 2012 sequel ''Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two.''

Disney said the closure is part of its ''effort to address the fast-evolving gaming platforms and marketplace'' and to align its resources with its key priorities.

''We're extremely grateful to Warren Spector and the Junction Point team for their creative contributions to Disney with 'Disney Epic Mickey' and 'Disney Epic Mickey 2,''' the studio said in a statement. Disney acquired Junction Point in 2007.

The studio was led by ''Deus Ex'' and ''Thief'' creator Warren Spector. Both ''Epic Mickey'' games were set in a twisted version of Disneyland called Wasteland and featured Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit as protagonists.

''I said to myself as Junction Point embarked on the 'Epic Mickey' journey that, worst case, we'd be 'a footnote in Disney history,''' Spector posted Monday on Facebook.

''Looking back on it, I think we did far better than that. With Mickey Mouse as our hero, we introduced a mainstream audience to some cool 'core game' concepts and, most especially, we restored Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to a place of prominence.''

The first ''Epic Mickey,'' which was released only for the Nintendo Wii, was the sixth best-selling game the month it was released in 2010.

''Epic Mickey 2,'' which was available for the Wii, as well as the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360, didn't crack the top 10 when it was released last November, according to gaming industry tracker NPD Group.

Disney unveiled plans earlier this month for a new franchise combining a toy line and a game called ''Disney Infinity,'' similar to ''Skylanders'' from Activision-Blizzard Inc.

''Infinity'' is being developed by Disney's Salt Lake City, Utah-based developer Avalanche Software and is set to debut in June alongside ''Monsters University,'' the 3-D prequel to the 2001 Disney-Pixar film ''Monsters Inc.''

Opinion

Editorial

Budget concerns
Updated 01 Jun, 2026

Budget concerns

Mistaking IMF compliance for sound economic management is what is driving the economy into deeper stagnation.
Gaza’s tragedy
01 Jun, 2026

Gaza’s tragedy

HISTORY may record this as one of the most brazen deceptions of our time. President Donald Trump’s so called Board...
New sports policy
01 Jun, 2026

New sports policy

BETTER sense has prevailed with a new national sports policy set to be rolled out, thus preventing a clash between...
The heat ahead
Updated 31 May, 2026

The heat ahead

Planning for hotter conditions is increasingly becoming a question of public health, economic resilience and public safety.
Dimming hopes
31 May, 2026

Dimming hopes

THE National Assembly opposition leader’s recent warning should give the ruling parties some pause. Once again, ...
No Tobacco Day
31 May, 2026

No Tobacco Day

THIS year’s World No Tobacco Day theme, announced by the WHO last October, is ‘Unmasking the appeal —...