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E3 '07: Spector goes to Disney Land

Buena Vista Games owner acquires ex-Ion Storm founder's Junction Point Studios.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--When Warren Spector last teased the much-anticipated first game from Junction Point Studios, the Deus Ex creator said, "When we DO announce what we're doing, half the world's going to think we're crazy and half the world's going to think it's the coolest thing since sliced bread."

While the game is still being kept under wraps, there is some cool, non-bread-related news about Junction Point. Today, Disney Interactive Studios announced that it has acquired Spector's studio for an undisclosed sum. Junction Point will create original game properties as well as bring classic Disney franchises to next-gen platforms. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Best known for his work on the Deus Ex and Thief games at Austin-based Ion Storm, Spector has been tight-lipped on the details of his current project since founding Junction Point in 2005.

Junction Point is the fifth studio Disney Interactive has added to its stable in recent years. In April 2005, the publisher acquired Tak and the Power of Juju developer Avalanche Software. The following month, Turok developer Propaganda Games was brought on board. In 2006, the publisher picked up ATV Offroad Fury Pro developer Climax Racing, and then two months later established Fall Line Studios, set to focus exclusively on Wii and Nintendo DS development.

32 Comments

  • krillinish

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 12:10 pm GMT

    Disney is the coolest.

  • southy787

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 12:23 pm GMT

    I'm not sure that this vastly affects the gaming industry, but its an interesting turn of events.

  • easteast

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 12:02 pm GMT

    Disney games aren't my cup of tea, but we'll see how they turn out.

  • nintendo_fan675

    Posted Jul 15, 2007 9:39 am GMT

    We better have better Disney games

  • SpazH3d

    Posted Jul 15, 2007 7:10 am GMT

    I like pie.

  • icytower

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 10:16 am GMT

    Not really sure what to make of the above article.

  • msudude211

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 8:36 am GMT

    Very interesting...

  • magicmo

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 7:49 am GMT

    Has sliced bread ever been "cool"?

  • shinian

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 4:34 am GMT

    I hope that we will be really getting a lot better quality disney games. They always have pottenial but the lack in some serious aspects. Mainly in level design and in terms of gameplay.

  • jesus_knight

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 6:46 pm GMT

    does that mean we will have better quality disney games? cool

  • Maeros4

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 6:14 pm GMT

    well a good game developer on disney related stuff that can be really good

  • DSJAM

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 11:09 am GMT

    Why is sliced bread so great anyway?

  • gord_mose

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 9:24 am GMT

    Sounds like that kill whatever spark that may have been left in Spector. Sigh.

  • DouglasBuffone

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 9:20 am GMT

    That is a pretty nice acquisition

  • finnjohn

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 9:08 am GMT

    Deus Ex 3 has already been announced by Eidos, guys.

  • SoralinkGS

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 7:08 am GMT

    wow...Disney Interactive is making some good efforts into getting with Hardcore gamers. If Turok is awesome, I will definately be on board for these moves....(I will be getting the new Turok, no matter what reviews say.)

  • Steel_Cyclone

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 5:17 am GMT

    Yep, that pretty much removes almost any chance of any good games coming from Junction Point. So much for that.

  • CaptainSmirk

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 1:13 am GMT

    Um, no it's not related to Deus Ex, 'cause, ya know, somebody else owns that, and not him, and so he kinda can't, 'cause, ya know, IT'S NOT HIS. Some people...

  • net_mugger

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 1:10 am GMT

    Yeah whatever...

  • asmodeus_z

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 1:06 am GMT

    I've got a feeling that his mystery project is related to Deus Ex ...

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 11:39 pm GMT

    I hope this is a good thing

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 10:30 pm GMT

    I wouldn't worry with how Turok has been doing lately.

  • chrono_wind

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 10:17 pm GMT

    I dislike how people are still calling Disney a child's company just because of the stigma that it was given as a developer making games for kids. Not many people complained when Kingdom Hearts featured Disney characters. Disney is just playing the opposite of what Nintendo is doing. Instead of grabbing the casual gamer, Disney is digging into the more hardcore gamer. Even if they fail, I appreciate Disney's ambition to work on projects other than movie games even if it meant a crappy project. At least they're trying.

  • bossjimbob

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 10:09 pm GMT

    This could be the first studio since Starbreeze to make movie games that don't suck. Best of luck, Warren.

  • krillinish

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 9:33 pm GMT

    Anyone worried about lack of mature games because of Disney, read these titles released by Miramax, acquired by Disney in 1993... Kill Bill, Scary Movie, Chicago, Gangs of New York.

  • DeuxHero

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 9:27 pm GMT

    Well Spector still has the benifit of the doubt, unlike Todd.

  • DatGMan

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 9:19 pm GMT

    I doubt Disney wouldn't let Spector release mature content. Disney is always trying to make money, so I think Spector will have most of the creative control.

    WHEN THE HELL IS THE NEXT DEUS EX COMING OUT? THAT"S ALL I CARE ABOUT!

  • Squids-Ahoy

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 8:55 pm GMT

    I'm part of the group that thinks spector is crazy. Now that Disney owns his shares, I seriously doubt we're going to see any mature franchise entries from thief or Deus Ex.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 8:35 pm GMT

    I hope I think that the game is as good as sliced bread. Must be a pretty neat project for them to say that.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 8:29 pm GMT

    ok.........

  • dukerav

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 8:19 pm GMT

    I really, really want to know what Spector's mystery project is after reading his quote

  • blackIceJoe

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 7:54 pm GMT

    It looks like Disney really want to bring out some hardcore games. Looking at what Disney has done with Turok. The future looks bright with Disney bringing games out for the Hardcore fans.

    So I look forward to what Disney and Spector's studio can come out with.

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