As Disney Dreamlight Valley continues to expand its character roster, there’s an awareness that the pool of Disney’s animated creations is not infinite. Eventually, it might be necessary for the game and its developer, Gameloft, to look beyond the familiar landscapes of Walt Disney Animation and Pixar for fresh characters. Instead of defaulting to blockbuster hits like Star Wars or the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a clever option might be to stick close to Disney’s core by incorporating characters from franchises like Descendants.
Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs) and the network’s animated shows are rich sources of content that many of Disney Dreamlight Valley’s fans can readily identify. These films and series often delve into fantasy, making them a natural fit for the game compared to live-action series without fantastical elements, such as Hannah Montana. Among all, Descendants stands out as one of the most successful DCOM series, making it an appealing candidate for new content in Disney Dreamlight Valley.
The Descendants series introduces us to the offspring of some of Disney’s most infamous villains: Mal, the daughter of Maleficent; Evie, the daughter of the Evil Queen; Jay, the son of Jafar; and Carlos, the son of Cruella DeVille. Isolated from the rest of the world on the Isle of the Lost, these kids get an invite from Prince Ben, the son of Belle and the Beast, to join Auradon Prep, the mainland’s top school. Encouraged by their villainous parents to be evil, these young characters eventually choose the path of good in the first film. Descendants has thrived with three feature films, and a prequel, Descendants: The Rise of Red, is set to premiere on Disney+ in the summer of 2024.
Fans of Disney Dreamlight Valley might find a connection with the redemption arcs of Mal and her crew, reminiscent of the theme in the game where players can decide whether to redeem villainous characters. Adding Descendants would align with this central narrative thread, reinforcing the idea of redemption that the game embraces.
Some might be hesitant about introducing a live-action franchise or characters that imitate those already in Disney Dreamlight Valley. But Descendants navigates these potential pitfalls wisely. First, the short-form series Descendants: Wicked World, which is animated, could be utilized as the blueprint for character designs. Having a history of adapting animated characters with unique designs, applying this approach to Descendants could enhance the game. Adopting Wicked World’s animated style could help circumvent the challenges of merging live-action properties into an animated universe.
Presently, the game includes two parent characters of the Descendants’ main cast. Jafar is already part of the game through the A Rift in Time Expansion Pass, and Maleficent is set to join with the upcoming Storybook Vale expansion. These versions are drawn from the original materials, not the Descendants series. By creating a distinct Descendants Realm within the game, players could enjoy a clear separation from existing characters, maintaining continuity and providing fresh experiences.
The overarching lore of Disney Dreamlight Valley allows for multiple character iterations, providing a seamless blending of various narratives. Even though venturing beyond Walt Disney Animation and Pixar Studios isn’t immediately on the roadmap, the potential inclusion of the Descendants universe in Disney Dreamlight Valley presents a compelling opportunity.
