Dlala Studios' Second Chance with Disney

In 2018, a small, Essex-based indie studio secured a $3 million deal with Disney, only to have the project cancelled before launch. Four years later, the studio's CEO, Aj Grand-Scrutton, took the stage at Disney's first-ever games showcase to debut Switch-exclusive Disney Illusion Island, a cooperative platformer starring Mickey Mouse and friends. This marked a significant turnaround for Dlala Studios, which had once again landed a life-changing deal with the entertainment giant. Grand-Scrutton reflected on the studio's past, admitting that in 2014 and 2015, they were 'arrogant' and thought that signing a $3.5 million deal with Disney guaranteed success. However, the cancellation of the project forced the team to adapt and grow. The deal for Disney Illusion Island began in 2019, a year before Dlala released its revival of Rare classic Battletoads. Grand-Scrutton had an informal call with Dlala's agent, discussing potential next steps, and the idea of re-establishing contact with Disney arose. Despite initial nerves, Grand-Scrutton was determined to show how the studio had matured since the first deal. He drew up a new concept for a Mickey & Friends game, a four-player explorative platformer, and presented it to Disney. The studio's growth and newfound maturity made it less practical to reuse assets from the cancelled game, and instead, they started from scratch. The team worked closely with Disney to create a unique and iconic version of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy. Grand-Scrutton emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes, particularly from working on Battletoads. The studio had suffered from poor project management, and Grand-Scrutton had to make tough decisions to cut scope and ensure the game's success. The unveiling of Disney Illusion Island marked a significant step forward for Dlala, demonstrating Disney's continued trust in the studio and its willingness to work with indies. Grand-Scrutton believes that smaller studios can bring a unique perspective and 'love' for IPs, which can lead to more successful partnerships. He advises indies to be prepared, passionate, and genuine when pitching for established IPs, and to focus on building strong relationships with publishers and IP owners.