Toontown Online was a groundbreaking MMORPG released by Disney in 2003. It stood out for its kid-friendly atmosphere, slapstick comedy, and playful world design that appealed to both children and adults. Players could create their own cartoon avatars—“Toons”—and explore a vibrant, whimsical environment filled with gags, cog-battles, and silly adventures.
Behind the scenes, a key visionary for Toontown was Jesse Schell. During his time at Walt Disney Imagineering and the Disney Virtual Reality Studio, he contributed to creating immersive interactive experiences. Toontown was among his proudest achievements, bridging online gaming and Disney magic in a novel way.
Despite its closure in 2013, the game’s community never truly disappeared. Enthusiastic fans have kept the spirit alive through projects like Toontown Rewritten, an inspired revival that continues to welcome new players. Meanwhile, Jesse Schell’s dedication to fun, interactive design carried on through many other ventures and collaborations.
Jesse Schell’s Recent Projects
After Disney, Jesse Schell founded and leads Schell Games, one of the largest independent game studios in the US. Some of his more recent or notable projects include:
- I Expect You to Die – A virtual reality puzzle game putting players in the shoes of an elite spy.
- Lost Recipes – A VR cooking experience that blends cultural history and culinary fun.
- Happy Atoms – An educational toy-meets-app that teaches chemistry through physical modeling.
Jesse’s passion for game design and interactive storytelling continues to fuel new innovations and playful experiences—even as the memories of Toontown inspire new creative adventures.