As Disney Dreamlight Valley steadily introduces new characters, it’s essential for both players and Gameloft to recognize the boundaries of Disney’s animated repertoire. Eventually, they might need to explore other avenues beyond Walt Disney Animation and Pixar for fresh faces in the game. Rather than defaulting to beloved live-action giants like Star Wars or the MCU, diving into a franchise like Descendants could be a move that aligns more closely with Disney’s roots.
The Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs) and animated series from the Disney Channel hold a treasure trove of material that’s likely to resonate with Disney Dreamlight Valley’s audience. These features blend fantasy elements seamlessly, which fits the game’s aesthetic far more snugly than non-fantasy live-action shows like Hannah Montana. Given its enormous popularity among DCOMs, Descendants emerges as an ideal candidate for Disney Dreamlight Valley’s expanding universe.
The Descendants narrative centers on the offspring of some of Disney’s most legendary villains. It primarily follows Mal, daughter of Maleficent, Evie, daughter of the Evil Queen, Jay, son of Jafar, and Carlos, son of Cruella DeVille. These kids start their lives isolated from the rest of society on the Isle of the Lost until Prince Ben, offspring of Belle and the Beast, extends an invitation for them to join Auradon’s elite academy, Auradon Prep. Initially bent on continuing their parents’ wicked ways, Mal and her friends gradually turn towards the light throughout the first film. The series includes three main movies, with the prequel, Descendants: The Rise of Red, hitting Disney+ in the summer of 2024.
Fans familiar with Disney Dreamlight Valley will likely draw parallels between Mal and her friends’ journeys and the game itself. Both share a core theme of villain redemption, yet Dreamlight Valley offers players the choice to decide whether they want to reform the game’s mischievous characters. This shared motif makes Descendants a fitting addition to strengthen this narrative thread within the game.
Some might hesitate to incorporate live-action properties or characters’ alternate iterations already featured in Disney Dreamlight Valley. These concerns are valid, but Descendants deftly navigates these potential pitfalls. The animated series, Descendants: Wicked World, could provide the design groundwork, ensuring consistency with the game’s aesthetic. Historically, animated designs have given Dreamlight Valley a unique visual flair, which a live-action adaptation might lack without such a foundation. Thus, delving into Wicked World would be crucial for a smooth transition.
Interestingly, two out of the four villain offspring have parents who already or will soon make an appearance in Dreamlight Valley. Jafar is available through the “A Rift in Time Expansion Pass,” while Maleficent is set to debut in the upcoming Storybook Vale expansion. These versions lean on their original narratives rather than the Descendants storyline. Introducing a dedicated Descendants Realm could distinctly separate them from their classic counterparts within the game.
The lore of Disney Dreamlight Valley might also facilitate these multiple narratives, creating a coherent space for new additions. Although they might not venture beyond Disney Animation and Pixar right away, embracing the Descendants universe seems like a logical progression for Dreamlight Valley to explore next.
