Nightmare Forge Games released the Infestation 88 trailer, revealing a survival game with players confronting a menacing early Mickey Mouse from Steamboat Willie. The 1-4 player experience narrates a rodent outbreak in 1988 that takes a dark turn. The game showcases how the situation evolves into something more ominous.

In the trailer, a grotesque Mickey Mouse, far from his Disney days, attacks exterminators combating the rodent onslaught. The release date for the video game remains undisclosed. Steamboat Willie, a 1928 film, marked Mickey and Minnie’s debut and a turning point for Disney.

The original Mickey Mouse from Steamboat Willie entered the public domain on New Year’s Day after nearly a century at Disney, granting the public creative use rights. Modern Mickey Mouse versions are still under Disney copyright due to the 95-year protection.

This shift follows Winnie-the-Pooh entering the public domain in January 2022. In 2023, a film depicted a darker side of Pooh and Piglet on a bloodthirsty quest after being abandoned by Christopher Robin. In 2024, Tigger also joined the public domain.