The Untapped Potential of the Descendants Franchise for Disney Dreamlight Valley

As Disney Dreamlight Valley continues to expand its roster with new characters, both players and Gameloft need to consider that there’s only so much animated content Disney can draw from. Sooner or later, the game might need to explore other realms beyond traditional Disney Animation and Pixar cartoon stars for fresh faces. Rather than diving into the realms of well-known live-action giants like Star Wars or the MCU, the game could stay true to its Disney roots by exploring franchises such as Descendants.

Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs) and other animated shows from the Disney Channel are ripe with content that would be instantly familiar to the Disney Dreamlight Valley community. These productions often delve into fantasy themes, making them a better match for the game than, say, a non-fantasy live-action show like Hannah Montana. Descendants, with its notable success as a DCOM franchise, stands out as a prime candidate.

The Descendants series introduces us to the offspring of some of Disney’s most infamous villains, centering on Mal, daughter of Maleficent; Evie, daughter of the Evil Queen; Jay, son of Jafar; and Carlos, son of Cruella DeVille. These young characters, initially isolated from the rest of the world on the Isle of the Lost, are given a chance at redemption when Prince Ben, the son of Beauty and the Beast’s Belle and Beast, invites them to join Auradon Prep on the mainland. Throughout their journey, they begin with villainous intents encouraged by their parents but ultimately choose the path of good by the film’s end. With three main films and a prequel, Descendants: The Rise of Red, set to debut on Disney+ in the summer of 2024, the franchise has plenty to offer.

Fans of Disney Dreamlight Valley will find the narrative of redemption in Descendants seamlessly aligns with the game’s own theme of redeeming villains. In the game, players have the choice to redeem or not, echoing the decisions faced by Descendants’ characters—a theme that strengthens the case for their inclusion.

Though some might be wary of introducing live-action characters or alternate versions of already existing characters into Disney Dreamlight Valley, the Descendants series manages to navigate these hurdles effectively. The animated series Descendants: Wicked World provides a clear template for introducing these characters into the game while maintaining consistency with its animated aesthetic. Historically, the game has struggled with character designs when source material is limited, making Wicked World an essential resource for adaptation.

Presently, the game already features, or plans to include, the parents of two Descendants characters. Jafar has been added via the A Rift in Time Expansion Pass, and Maleficent is set to arrive in the upcoming Storybook Vale expansion. Crucially, these iterations are drawn from their original depictions, not the Descendants storyline. By adding a dedicated Descendants Realm, the game could distinctly separate these new characters from existing ones.

In conclusion, while the game’s future may not involve a broad departure from Disney Animation and Pixar properties, the addition of the Descendants saga represents a strong opportunity for Disney Dreamlight Valley. It aligns well with existing gameplay themes and offers a fresh avenue for expansion within Disney’s beloved universe.