EA Launching New Star Wars Game: Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes; Disney XD by Maker to Bring YouTube Talent to Network

EA Launching New Star Wars Game: Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes:

EA Games announced today the launch of the newest Star Wars Mobile Game in Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes. The new mobile game will be available on iOS and Android devices with a release date of this holiday season. 

The game will allow players to test their skills and master the hologames in a cantina far, far away. Collect your favorite heroes from across the Star Wars universe to form powerful teams. You will be able to upgrade each character's unique abilities and strengths, devise the perfect strategy, and dominate your competition. Fight in memorable, RPG-style turn-based battles across the most iconic Star Wars locations to become the most legendary hologamer in the universe.

Here is the trailer that was released:

Disney XD by Maker to Bring YouTube Talent to Network: 

Disney XD and Disney's Maker Studios of YouTube announced today a collaboration that would bring Maker's young YouTube stars to the network. It will be a new initiative called Disney XD by Maker where there will be a search for and development of the next generation of creators for DisneyXD.com, the WATCH Disney XD App, and original television series pilots for Disney XD cable and satellite channels around the world. The announcement was made today by Marc Buhaj, Senior Vice President, Programming and General Manager, Disney XD and Chris M. Williams, Chief Audience Officer, Maker Studios, the global leader in short-form content and the largest video network on YouTube.

Some of Maker Studios' most popular talent will be included like CaptainSparklez, forrestfire101, ZexyZek, 101DarkMonkey, Evantube, Luzu and Lana, and Random Encounters will create original content specifically made for the program. Interested creators, ages 18 and over, can apply to be apart of the initiative at makerstudios.com/DisneyXD. 

Disney XD by Maker will allow content with Maker’s leading creators and will also utilize the Maker Offers platform to allow up-and-coming creators worldwide to participate. Videos created through the initiative will initially be distributed through creator channels on YouTube, with the potential for Disney XD to then distribute across digital and traditional platforms. The best of the best may also be developed further into television pilots for Disney XD.

Mark Buhaj said on the new initiative, "We're thrilled to collaborate with Maker and warmly welcome some of its brightest stars to the Disney XD family through Disney XD by Maker. Recognized by our audience as celebrities in their own right, these stars will pave the way for up-and-coming Disney XD by Maker talent, cultivating a creative community that drives inspiration, original storytelling and unique formats to be shared globally. 

Jared the creator of YouTube's EvanTube channel had this to say, "We're truly excited to build this bridge between TV and digital in alliance with two of the most respected names from those worlds."

New Force Awakes Footage Released on Instagram; First Glimpse of Battle of Jakku in Star Wars Battlefront; and More

New Force Awakens Footage Released on Instagram:

In 112 days, Star Wars: The Force Awakens will debut in theaters nationwide and today we got a little glimpse with a 15-second clip that was released on the Star Wars Instagram. The footage released opens with a voice saying, "There has been an awakening."

Then you get the clip of Kylo Ren igniting his cross guard lightsaber that we saw in the first trailer. Now we know who he was getting ready to fight. In the very next clip we see Finn wielding a blue lightsaber of his own, believed to be Luke's lightsaber. Here is the clip that was released.

There has been an awakening... #StarWars #TheForceAwakens

A video posted by Star Wars (@starwars) on Aug 27, 2015 at 10:00am PDT

First Glimpse of the Battle of Jakku from Star Wars Battlefront:

We even got a first glimpse today of what's to come in the upcoming game Star Wars Battlefront as we see our first look of the Battle of Jakku. The Battle of Jakku takes place 29 years before The Force Awakens. Here is what it said in the release from EA:

"As debris from battles above shower the desert ground, the feeling of chaos intensifying. A Star Destroyer has just crash-landed and some of its engines are still smoking. The battle has just begun...."

The Battle of Jakku in Star Wars Battlefront will be available December 1, 2015 for all those who pre-order, and a week later for everyone else. It was the pivotal moment when the New Republic confronted key Imperial holdouts on the desert remote planet. Jakku takes place in the aftermath of the Rebel victory in the Battle of Endor. Players will experience the events that created the massive, battle-scarred landscape of Jakku as seen in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

DICE Concept Artist Anton Grandert said, "There's a David and Goliath theme to this. The epic, huge super structures of the Star Destroyers contrast against the tiny but brave Rebel soldiers fighting the Imperial forces."

Together with Jakku, players will visit other iconic Star Wars locations like Hoth, Tatooine, Endor, and a previously unexplored planet of Sullust will be a part of Star Wars Battlefront. 

Resort Guests to Bypass Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza in the Future Among Other Changes:

Within the next five years, guests staying at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and Disney's Contemporary Resort will no longer have to stop at the Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza. A flyover (bypass) will be built to allow traffic to pass the Toll Plaza along with other major changes to the Magic Kingdom parking area and vehicle main entrance that will be accommodated by the removal of the former Walt Disney World Speedway. 

This was revealed in an article by the Orlando Sentinel. Here are some of the other changes:

• A reconfiguration of Osceola Parkway at Victory Way, southeast of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and north of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. A traditional intersection will be replaced with a flyover design similar to that at state roads 50 and 436 near Orlando. The flyover would take Osceola Parkway traffic over Victory Way.
• An extension of Western Way to Avalon Road, or County Road 545. Currently Western Way ends around the Flamingo Crossings development under construction.
• A Center Drive bypass to the west that will allow traffic heading south off Reams Road more direct access to Floridian Way.

This all ahead of major expansion of Hollywood Studios with Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land as well as the continuing construction of Pandora: The World of Avatar that will be taking place over the next few years. 

Your Daily News from Around Disney 3/19/15

We are almost to the weekend again and boy are the days just flying by lately. In other news after about 10 days of spring like weather here in Pennsylvania and the start of Spring coming tomorrow, guess what? We are in the picture for up to 5 inches of snow tomorrow. My sad face right now is unbearable, at least there is only 66 days until my visit to Disney World. Enough sad news about snow, let's get into your news from around Disney.

Disney Channel Plans Biopic of LLWS Pitching Prodigy Mo'ne Davis:

Disney Channel announced today that a biopic about Little League World Series pitching sensation Mo'ne Davis is in development. The movie will be called, "Throw Like Mo". It will tell the story of last years LLWS 13-year old pitching sensation who caught the hearts of many last year by being the first girl in the history of the Little League World Series to pitch a shutout. Also as a member of Philadelphia's Taney Dragons became the first little leaguer to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. Davis is said to be a consult to the movie in which she hopes it will encourage viewers and fans to believe that dreams really can come true. While no specific airdate for the film has been announced, Davis said she can't wait to get started.

"Star Wars: Battlefront" to Debut at Star Wars Celebration:

Next month at the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, CA taking place from April 16-19, Disney and EA will officially debut "Star Wars: Battlefront".  An EA blog post read, "You've been patient young padawans, and soon your patience will be rewarded."

The blog continued with EA saying, "We're thrilled to share that Star Wars Battlefront will be taking part in Star Wars Celebration next month in Anaheim, CA from April 16-19. We could not think of a better or more appropriate place to debut the game officially for the first time than the premier event that celebrates the Star Wars universe and the legions of fans who have fallen in love with it." Gamers get ready because this just the beginning as Star Wars Battlefront is set to be released later this year.

U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flyover Disney World's Magic Kingdom:

Here is something you don't see everyday as this morning the famous Blue Angels of the U.S. Navy made a rare flyover the Magic Kingdom. It was not only performed once but twice as thousands of guests at the park cheered their appearance. The Blue Angels were on the way to a performance for this weekends Melbourne Air & Space Show, they decided to make a detour to Disney World. Six F/A-18 Hornet jets executed what they call their "Delta Breakout" over Cinderella Castle. It was a sight to see for guests as there is a strict no-fly zone over Disney World.

Daily Disney Quote:

"It seems to me that we have a lot of story yet to tell."

Walt Disney

Tomorrow is Friday and I am ready for the weekend. Have a great day tomorrow everyone and as always in the words of Mickey Mouse, "See Ya Real Soon."