Client: Junction Point

After the success of Epic Mickey, Junction Point and Disney approached us about working on the sequel: Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two. This time, the game wouldn’t be a Wii exclusive title, but instead be released on all console platforms. Additionally, the game’s cinematics would now have to be produced in HD. Powerhouse not only rose to the challenge, but surpassed it by developing a new, faster pipeline that retained the original Mary Blair like aesthetic of the original game while also increasing the resolution to stunning 1080p.

For those of you unfamiliar with the first game: Powerhouse Animation began production in 2005, doing concept and character designs for the Warren Spector/Disney franchise. Powerhouse created more than 60 minutes of traditional animation for the games to serve as in-game cinemas. Powerhouse used Flash Animation, custom Photoshop brushes, and After Effects animation to create the textured look to the traditionally animated characters. Powerhouse developed the art direction for the cinemas, focusing on a Mary Blair like aesthetic. There are few projects that carry the burden of animating and directing Disney’s most beloved characters and characters not seen in decades, but working with Warren Spector, Junction Point, and Disney Interactive was a great experience and they gave Powerhouse Animation a lot of trust to care of these fundamental brands for their company.