Revisiting Epic Mickey
Posted November 29th 2010 @ 7:13 pm by Jerod(This is a post I wrote a little over a year ago when developers were working on a new Disney video game where Mickey Mouse received a tough guy makeover. Last week, Epic Mickey for Wii was released to fairly good reviews, so I thought it might be a good time to take another look at the issue of changing something that’s very iconic and established.)
The world’s most recognizable mouse is getting a makeover. I was reading an article in the New York Times talking about how Disney is going through the process of rebranding Mickey Mouse. Epic Mickey as he’s being called is the star in an upcoming video game. The mouse who built an empire will be running around the world of long forgotten and retired cartoon characters who have turned mean. Mickey must save the day. He’s got more edge, but apparently still won’t be violent. In many ways he looks similar to the traditional Mickey, but his attitude has changed.
The video game is supposedly a trial run for a broader redesign of Mickey. The article says sales of Mickey Mouse merchandise has declined, especially in the United States. He’s losing out to newer cartoons from Nickelodeon and Pixar (a Disney property). If all goes well with the video game, expect Epic Mickey to go more main stream.
There is always a risk in messing with a beloved icon. Some will feel alienated, but it’s a risk Disney is willing to take in order to keep Mickey in people’s mind.
As churches and ministries, we are often faced with a similar situation. We know we do things that are out of touch or no longer relevant. Yet there are “sacred cows” we can’t touch because it may ruffle too many feathers. (I think I just mixed a couple of metaphors, but hopefully you get the point.)
I think it’s good for churches and ministries to be constantly evaluating what they’re doing to reach people. It’s good stewardship and it help you stay focused on your overall goals and vision. But in the end, how you communicate the need for change can make a big difference. Sudden change with little input can backfire. So in this case, Disney knows that. For all practical purposes this video game is a test for the new Mickey. If it flops, Epic Mickey will fade away like Crystal Pepsi.
How about you? How is your church or ministry when it comes to change? Are there untouchable programs you can’t change? How do you deal with that?
Comments (1)
Try changing a tradtion or an established pattern. For our church, it was changing Christmas Day church service to a Christmas Eve service (no sermon, lessons and carols, communion). That change was more “cultural” than anything—-family traditions of many congregants were disrupted, for a year, then everyone more or less dealt with it—-no longer an issue. The next is a bit more substantial to the life of the church year-round—-try adding or subtracting a significant number of communion services. The conversation shifts from “we’re becoming Catholic!” if we have “too many” and “we’re reverting to pietism” if we defer to one service per quarter. Or style of communion—-passing trays, remaining seated, or coming forward, receiving elements via intinction—-again, extreme spans of opinion.
However—-issues weathered well because of the openness and transparency of the decision-making process used by the council, including discussion, information, education, opportunity for response, etc.
A trusting relationship between congregation and council is so important.
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