Disney Universe coming this autumn

Disney Interactive is bringing Disney Universe, a multiplayer action adventure title, to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, and Mac this autumn. The game is set in six worlds inspired by animated and live action films from Disney, as well as those of the CGI animation supreme films at Pixar.

Players can dress a cutesy blue avatar character in one of over 40 costumes, each of which has unique powers that level up during play. Four costumes were revealed in the teaser trailer that accompanied today's announcement: Alice from Alice in Wonderland, Mike from Monsters, Inc., Tron from Tron: Legacy, and Stitch from Lilo and Stitch.

The cooperative multiplayer modes support up to four players, letting them team up and take part in missions that follow Disney and Pixar movie storylines. Combat, puzzle solving, coin collection, and power-ups are on offer, and Disney has promised plenty of "slapstick humor." In addition, content such as new worlds and costumes will be available for purchase after the game launches.

The announcement of Disney Universe follows big losses from Disney's Interactive Media Group, which posted a loss of $128 million (£73.6 million) for the six-month period ending April 2, 2011. It also follows layoffs that formed part of the company's move toward casual and social gaming. Those cuts included the closure of Tron: Evolution studio Propaganda Games and hundreds of layoffs across other internal development studios, including Epic Mickey maker Junction Point.