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Warren Spector, co-creator of the Deus Ex series, has published a farewell letter to Junction Point Studios, which Disney shuttered yesterday.
The studio produced hit Wii platformer Disney Epic Mickey, but the follow-up failed to charm critics and the games buying public.
Taking to Facebook, Spector wrote: “Yes, it’s true. The Junction Point journey is over. To all those who’ve asked, or want to ask, I’m sad but excited for the future.
“JPS had a good eight year run. I got to work with some amazing people on some amazing projects. I’ve had some of the most magical times of my life, fulfilling several life-long dreams. I’ve gotten to know Disney fans and Disney cast members, gotten hands on with Disney’s history, walked where Walt walked… “Magical” really is the only word.
“But now it’s time to… (Man, I almost said, “now it’s time to say goodbye to all our fa-mi-ly…” Which would have led me right to “M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E!”). Let’s just say, now it’s time to move on to the next adventure. I honestly don’t know what that will be yet, so don’t ask.”
He continued: “Anyway, whatever you think of me, or Junction Point, or Disney or the Disney Epic Mickey games – yes, I know we polarized people! – I’ll always look back on the last eight years with nothing but pride. Rarely have I worked with a team more dedicated or harder working. Never have I been part of a game – of anything, really – that touched people at as deep or personal a level as the Epic Mickey games. That’s priceless.
“I said to myself as Junction Point embarked on the Epic Mickey journey that, worst case, we’d be “a footnote in Disney history.” 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.
“WE did that.
“Junction Point.
“I’ll always be grateful to Disney for that opportunity, to the folks who helped out along the way in Glendale, on the studio lot in Burbank, at the parks in Anaheim and Orlando and Paris, at Disney offices around the world and at Pixar. (You know who you are!) I’m grateful to the Disney fans, bloggers and historians who embraced me, the team and our work – that was huge. And, most especially, I’ll always be grateful to the folks – the family – at Junction Point who did all the real work.
“I’ll see all of you in the future!”
As a big name in the games business Spector won’t struggle for work, but what he does next remains unclear. There’s been internet chatter that Sqaure Enix may bring him into the Eidos Montreal fold to work on a new entry in the Deux Ex franchise, but that’s purely speculation. Given the popularity of Kickstarter projects, it’s also possible Spector will go down this route, perhaps working with a small independent team after the mammoth development of Epic Mickey 2.
Source: Facebook
