14 DAY TRIAL // The video game industry has its fair share of heroes and iconic characters that have grasped the imagination of a huge number of gamers around the world. But why spend time and resources when you can just get an already known character or characters from other branches of the entertainment industry and then share the profits that will definitely come from the already established fan base for said characters.
That is how partnerships between comic book companies, like DC, were created. The famous company, owner of IPs such as Batman or Superman, has already brought its licenses to quite a few titles, like Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe or the upcoming DC Universe online game.
Deciding that it was missing out on a pretty big chunk of profit, Marvel Comics, the company behind characters such as Spider-Man, Wolverine or Iron Man, has now announced that the previously worked upon Marvel Universe multiplayer game is now back on track, as it has partnered with start-up company Gazillion Entertainment, for a number of online games, including that project.
For those of you who don't know, Marvel had collaborated with Cryptic Studios and Microsoft for a version of Marvel Universe, but it was scrapped in 2007 by the Redmond-based company. Now, the game will be produced once again, along with three new titles. The first one, currently worked upon by Amazing Society, is Super Hero Squad, which will be arriving alongside a cartoon series next year. Another company currently working with Gazillion Entertainment is NetDevil, which is in charge of the Lego Universe title. Slipgate Ironworks is also hard at work on an “unannounced original MMO.”
But what’s most important is that California-based Gargantuan will be bringing Marvel Universe to the PC and consoles, with rumors speculating about the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms. But don't think that just because the team is new it won't be experienced, as former employees from companies such as Blizzard, Cryptic and NCsoft are currently employed by Gargantuan.
Between the single-character deals Marvel has with publishers such as Activision for the Wolverine game, and this future online title, we'll definitely get our fair share of costumed heroes in the near future.