Spector departs Disney as Junction Point Studios shut down

Disney has confirmed the closure of Junction Point, following last night’s murmurings that Warren Spector’s studio had gone under.

The developer was responsible for the Epic Mickey franchise, which saw low sales numbers for its latest offering Epic Mickey 2. According to Joystiq, the game has sold just 529,000 units in the US since launch.

"It was with much sadness that we informed our teams today of changes to our Games organization, which include the closure of Junction Point Studios," stated a Disney rep. "These changes are part of our ongoing effort to address the fast-evolving gaming platforms and marketplace and to align resources against our key priorities. We’re extremely grateful to Warren Spector and the Junction Point team for their creative contributions to Disney with Disney Epic Mickey and Disney Epic Mickey 2."

Indeed, Spector has also moved on from his position as VP at Disney Interactive. His LinkedIn page now lists him as unemployed, with a portion of the profile reading Wondering what comes next?… Want to talk?”

Spector released the following statement on Facebookas well:

"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.

"[Junction Point Studios] 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. 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’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," Spector wrote. "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."