It’s not everyday you get invited to go behind the curtain of Disney’s mobile game-making factory.

So even though it was still E3 2013 recovery mode, how could I say no?

Maybe I’m still in recovery mode; it’s not a factory at all.

Despite the success of the House of the Mouse’s internal mobile studio with original games such as Where’s My Water? and JellyCar, it’s actually much more of a small craftshop than a factory, albeit one located in Disney’s extensive Glendale complex in Los Angeles.

And it’s about to launch its most ambitious game yet - hence the reason for our visit.

Oh, boy!

As its name suggests Where’s My Mickey? is an extension to the franchise that’s racked up over 200 milion downloads with Where’s My Water? and Where’s My Perry?But as well as being a larger and more sophisticated game, Where’s My Mickey? is a more significant one for Disney too.

Mickey Mouse remains its signature brand and one that Disney has been working hard to rebuild in recent years.

It’s been doing this quietly, focusing on young kids with the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and now with 19 short animated films being released (3.5 minutes each), it had a big opportunity to combine this reboot with Where’s My Water?'s success.

Of course, it’s this approach of animated shorts with mobile games that have provided the launchpad for Disney-wannabe Rovio’s success as well.

The Finnish company is never mentioned during our trip, however, and perhaps that’s the most obvious sign that this upstart’s view that it is the ‘new Disney’ has had an impact.

Eat my shorts

“We’re relaunching Mickey on apps and shorts TV. These are the entry points for kids these days. We’re on the right platforms,” emphases Tim FitzRandolph, VP of creative at Disney

Mobile.

The core part of this double-whammy approach was the animation reboot. After all, it was commissioned first.

‘We’re introducing Mickey to a new generation, with a contemporary tone,” commented Eric Coleman, Disney’s SVP of original series, TV animation.

He pointed out that the shorts will be shown in 167 countries via the Disney channel; something reflected in the settings for the 19 animations - ranging from Tokyo to Paris, Switzerland, Beijing, Brazil and the US.

“We’re using the locations to showcase different art styles,” explained legendary animator Paul Rudish.

In this way, the Chinese short has a watercolour brush style, while the Tokyo bullet train short is bright and somewhat manga-esque.

“But Mickey is always in the foreground,” Rudish adds.

“The three circles are instantly recognisable, he’s a very iconic character.”

Digging into changes to the character, the team had gone back to the old black-and-white animations, re-engaging with a more slapstick or rubber-hose style.

And, instead of a rather dull and goody-too-shoes Mickey, this mouse is mischievous, getting into scrapes, but smart enough to get out of them

Want a game with that?

And the short animations provide the perfect platform for Where’s My Mickey?, which takes the same animation and tweaked character and places him into a world of physics-puzzling.



As with the previous games, you’re cutting into the ground to direct flows of water through pipes so Mickey can fill up his bucket.

His reasons for wanting water changes in different worlds. In one he’s running a lemonade stand, in another he’s trying to put out a fire in a mine.

At launch, there will be three themed worlds, each containing 20 levels, plus two Goofy-themed worlds - using a new liquid called Fizzle - that you can unlock using in-app purchases. Tablets will get 20 exclusive levels, and there are a bunch of hidden easter eggs leveld.

Like most Disney Mobile titles, Where’s My Mickey? is paid game with IAP; 99c for smartphone and $1.99 for tablets, or $4.99 for Windows 8.

In the clouds

As well as Fizzle, the development team have added plenty of new gameplay elements.

Instead of being awarded ducks, each level contains three stars, which are characters who need to be filled up with water. When they’re getting wet, they’ll jiggle and smile, while becoming sad the longer they stay dry.

Another new feature are clouds, which are a way of storing water and moving it around the level; something you do by manipulating the wind.

And there’s the Fizzle. It’s a sort of sugary soda pop that Goofy likes to eat. Don’t mix it with water though, and be careful if you spray it onto plants as it will kill them

But the thing that FitzRandolph is most pleased with is the tight integration between the gameplay, the character and the story.

Mickey is always on screen; a visible motivation - and when he’s got his water, the level transforms into a short cutscene, which itself is packed with humour.

So on this performance, who needs a new Disney? The old one’s seems to be doing just fine.