Exploring the Untapped Potential of the Descendants Franchise for Disney Dreamlight Valley

As Disney Dreamlight Valley frequently adds new characters, both players and Gameloft need to keep in mind that Disney’s pool of animated characters isn’t infinite. Eventually, the game may have to look beyond the realms of Walt Disney Animation and Pixar Studios. When that time comes, instead of diving into the likes of Star Wars or the massive Marvel Cinematic Universe, sticking close to Disney’s core identity with franchises such as Descendants could be a smart move for Disney Dreamlight Valley.

Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs) and various animated series from the Disney Channel offer content that is delightfully familiar to fans of Disney Dreamlight Valley. With their unique blend of fantasy and adventure, these shows strike a chord with audiences, making them better suited for the game than a live-action series like Hannah Montana. Among the plentiful DCOM options, Descendants stands out as an especially profitable franchise, making it a prime candidate for inclusion in Disney Dreamlight Valley.

Descendants tells the captivating stories of the progeny of classic Disney villains: Mal, daughter of Maleficent; Evie, daughter of the Evil Queen; Jay, son of Jafar; and Carlos, son of Cruella DeVille. Initially isolated from society on the Isle of the Lost, these kids are invited by Prince Ben—Belle and Beast’s son—to join Auradon’s prestigious school, Auradon Prep. Although their villainous parents urge them to continue their wicked ways, the first film sees these young characters embrace goodness. Leading with three main films and a prequel, Descendants: The Rise of Red, which debuted on Disney+ in Summer 2024, this series offers ample content for the game.

Fans of Disney Dreamlight Valley will likely recognize parallels between the redemption arc of Mal’s crew and themes within the game itself. Redemption of villains is a concept Disney Dreamlight Valley explores, giving players the choice to rescue the wayward villagers. This narrative alignment makes the Descendants franchise an ideal addition to the game’s universe.

Now, how might the Descendants find their way into Disney Dreamlight Valley? While some may be wary of incorporating a live-action series, Descendants cleverly dodges potential issues. Utilizing the animated series Descendants: Wicked World offers a fitting art style for character designs. Given past critique of character depictions, this series provides a useful guide to maintaining visual consistency with Disney Dreamlight Valley’s aesthetic.

Two out of the four villainous offspring already have parents featured or slated to join the game. Jafar was introduced through the A Rift in Time Expansion Pass, and Maleficent is set to appear this summer in the Storybook Vale expansion, albeit based on the original film versions instead of the Descendants. Establishing a separate Descendants Realm could offer a distinct space that differentiates these new characters from existing ones.

The mythos of Disney Dreamlight Valley allows room for multiple versions of characters, presenting an opportunity to bring in Descendants without disrupting its existing narrative. While expansions might not stray outside of Disney and Pixar just yet, incorporating Descendants could be a compelling proposition for Disney Dreamlight Valley.