Marvel signs 10-year contract, sees an MMO in its future

by Krystalle Voecks Mar 17th 2009 at 9:00AM

Filed under: Super-hero, MMO industry, News items, Marvel Universe Online

After the deal with Cryptic and Microsoft fell through, we weren't too terribly sure we'd ever hear another peep out of Marvel insofar as getting a game into the MMO space. However, it would seem that they've given it some thought - or more likely, thought about all the money that's here to be made - and decided to proceed on getting their own MMO into the market anyway. According to a story from the Wall Street Journal, Marvel has signed a 10-year deal with Gazillion Entertainment (previously NR2B Research, per VentureBeat) that will encompass not only a Marvel Universe online game that will tie into a Cartoon Network series, but also a renewal of the Marvel Universe MMO project for PC and consoles with Gazillion's subsidiary, Gargantuan Studios.

Considering that Champions Online is in closed beta already, DC Universe Online is showing some pretty solid previews, and City of Heroes is still chugging along with a devoted player-base, it's going to be an uphill battle from the word go for this Marvel MMO. Sure, there will be comics loyalists who prefer the Marvel universe to the DC universe, but with four superhero MMOs to choose from? Everyone involved should remember that in MMOs, no amount of retconning will help a game that doesn't bring its best from the start.

[Via Joystiq]

Tags: console, cryptic-studios, gargantuan-studios, gazillion-entertainment, marvel, marvel-universe-online, microsoft, muo, new-mmo, pc, retcon, super-hero

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dude said on 9:41AM 3-17-2009

Think they are missing the boat way too late. Keep an open mind, though.

MeowCat said on 10:22AM 3-17-2009

While I love the Marvel Universe, it may require them to do something more innovative at this late date. The brand name may not carry them to success with so may strong titles. Maybe someone will finally do something meaningful with housing? Ok, that's an idiosyncratic option but still...innovation will win the day for Marvel.

Go Marvel!

Pingles said on 10:31AM 3-17-2009

I agree that the same-ol-MMO mechanics are getting tiresome.

All of these new MMOs better have something VERY fresh if they hope to make a dent in the market.

If Lord of the Rings can't dominate with their brand name I doubt anyone else can without shaking things up game-wise.

thecoke said on 2:55PM 3-17-2009

Has anyone ever heard of Gargantuan Studios? Call me a skeptic, but giving a valuable IP to an unproven studio is just asking for trouble.

CindyL said on 3:38PM 3-17-2009

Hugh no kidding, *points to Star Trek Online* :/

Toucan said on 6:41PM 3-17-2009

If only Gargantuan was a cover for Blizzard and this is their secret next-gen mmo. Now that would get this game ahead of the other 3 superhero mmos in a hurry.