Marvel Universe Online
Encyclopedia
Marvel Universe is a browser-based Massively multiplayer online game
currently under developement by Gazillion Entertainment
in San Mateo California. The MMOG is designed by Secret Identity Studios and will be similar to, sister game, Marvel Super Hero Squad Online
. Characters such as Iron Man
, Captain America
, Deadpool and Squirrel Girl
will serve as characters that players can unlock in the game. The lead writer of the game is Brian Michael Bendis
, who has written a number of major Marvel comics. The plot will revolve around the super villain Doctor Doom
and various Marvel superheroes. A official release date of the game is currently unknown.
game and will not require a monthly subscription.
While micro-transactions will be used to fund and support the game, players will not need to spend money to access the full game. Players will be able to play as various Marvel superheroes, such as Iron Man
, Ms. Marvel
, Human Torch
, Storm, Hulk
, Spider-Man
, Thor
, Wolverine
, Captain America
, Thing
, Squirrel Girl
, Nova
, Cable
and Deadpool.
, but was later cancelled, and was not picked up until years later by Gazillion Entertainment.
. The MMO game was developed by Cryptic Studios
and was to be published by Microsoft Game Studios
exclusively for Microsoft Windows
using a license from Marvel.
However, the project was changed on February 11, 2008 due to what a Microsoft spokesperson referred to as "an inability to compete" with the current MMO marketplace. Less than a week later, Cryptic Studios announced that development would continue using a new IP license of The Champions (Hero Universe)
, a superhero-based role playing game.
Confirmation of the project's cancellation arrived on February 11, 2008, although rumors of the possible cancellation had existed since at least November of the previous year. Shane Kim, the head of Microsoft Games Studios, stated in an interview that the cancellation was primarily due to the competitive market for subscription-based MMOs, and that while one current MMO was successful, "everything else wouldn't meet our level or definition of commercial success".
has signed an exclusive 10-year deal with Marvel
games, of which Marvel Universe is one. The first title released is called Super Hero Squad Online, which targets younger audiences.
Massively multiplayer online game
A massively multiplayer online game is a multiplayer video game which is capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously. By necessity, they are played on the Internet, and usually feature at least one persistent world. They are, however, not necessarily games played on...
currently under developement by Gazillion Entertainment
Gazillion Entertainment
Gazillion Entertainment is a video game company based in San Mateo CA. Gazillion is the parent company for The Amazing Society and Secret Identity Studio.-Video Games:...
in San Mateo California. The MMOG is designed by Secret Identity Studios and will be similar to, sister game, Marvel Super Hero Squad Online
Marvel Super Hero Squad Online
Marvel Super Hero Squad Online is a MMOG for younger audiences based on the Marvel Super Hero Squad franchise.The MMOG officially was released as a open beta on April 29, 2011 and a closed beta was released in early 2011. The first debut trailer for Marvel Super Hero Squad Online was released on...
. Characters such as Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
, Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, Deadpool and Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl, real name Doreen Green, is a fictional character and superhero in the . Her first appearance was in Marvel Super-Heroes #8 , in a story plotted and drawn by Steve Ditko and scripted by Will Murray. Her ability to control squirrels is surprisingly powerful and has allowed her to...
will serve as characters that players can unlock in the game. The lead writer of the game is Brian Michael Bendis
Brian Michael Bendis
Brian Michael Bendis is an American comic book writer and erstwhile artist. He has won critical acclaim for his self-published, Image Comics and Marvel Comics work, and is one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics, with his books selling consistently highly for over a...
, who has written a number of major Marvel comics. The plot will revolve around the super villain Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom
Victor von Doom is a fictional character who appears in Marvel Comics publications . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four #5 wearing his trademark metal mask and green cloak...
and various Marvel superheroes. A official release date of the game is currently unknown.
Gameplay
Marvel Universe will be a free-to-playFree-to-play
Free-to-play refers to any video game that has the option of allowing its players to play without paying. The model was first popularly used in early massively multiplayer online games targeted towards casual gamers, before finding wider adoption among games released by major video game...
game and will not require a monthly subscription.
While micro-transactions will be used to fund and support the game, players will not need to spend money to access the full game. Players will be able to play as various Marvel superheroes, such as Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
, Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel is the name of a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Roy Thomas and designed by artist Gene Colan, the non-powered Carol Danvers debuted as a member of the United States Air Force in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 and as Ms. Marvel—a...
, Human Torch
Human Torch
The Human Torch is a fictional character and superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, he is a member of the superhero team the Fantastic Four, debuting in The Fantastic Four #1...
, Storm, Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
, Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
, Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
, Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
, Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, Thing
Thing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
, Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl, real name Doreen Green, is a fictional character and superhero in the . Her first appearance was in Marvel Super-Heroes #8 , in a story plotted and drawn by Steve Ditko and scripted by Will Murray. Her ability to control squirrels is surprisingly powerful and has allowed her to...
, Nova
Nova (comics)
Nova is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Upon becoming a member of the galaxy's Nova Corps , the youth gained enhanced strength, flight, injury resistance, and a specialized uniform with life support.In May 2011, Nova placed 98th on IGN's Top 100 Comic...
, Cable
Cable (comics)
Cable is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared as an infant in Uncanny X-Men #201...
and Deadpool.
History
Marvel Universe Online was originally going to be developed by Cryptic StudiosCryptic Studios
Cryptic Studios, a wholly owned Perfect World subsidiary, is a small American massively multiplayer online role-playing game developer headquartered in Los Gatos, California.-History:...
, but was later cancelled, and was not picked up until years later by Gazillion Entertainment.
Cryptic Studios
Marvel Universe Online was the original working title of Champions OnlineChampions Online
Champions Online is a free-to-play superhero-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game by former City of Heroes/Villains developer Cryptic Studios based on the Champions license. The game's rules and setting are loosely based on the HERO System ruleset...
. The MMO game was developed by Cryptic Studios
Cryptic Studios
Cryptic Studios, a wholly owned Perfect World subsidiary, is a small American massively multiplayer online role-playing game developer headquartered in Los Gatos, California.-History:...
and was to be published by Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Studios is the video game production wing for Microsoft, responsible for the development and publishing of games for the Xbox, Xbox 360, Games for Windows and Windows Phone platforms. They were established in 2002 as Microsoft Game Studios to coincide with the release of the Xbox, before...
exclusively for Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
using a license from Marvel.
However, the project was changed on February 11, 2008 due to what a Microsoft spokesperson referred to as "an inability to compete" with the current MMO marketplace. Less than a week later, Cryptic Studios announced that development would continue using a new IP license of The Champions (Hero Universe)
The Champions (Hero Universe)
The Champions are a prominent superhero team in the Hero Universe, the official setting of the Champions role-playing game. They serve as an example of a balanced team dynamic, a team of NPC allies, or a source of pregenerated characters to allow players to bypass the game's lengthy character...
, a superhero-based role playing game.
Confirmation of the project's cancellation arrived on February 11, 2008, although rumors of the possible cancellation had existed since at least November of the previous year. Shane Kim, the head of Microsoft Games Studios, stated in an interview that the cancellation was primarily due to the competitive market for subscription-based MMOs, and that while one current MMO was successful, "everything else wouldn't meet our level or definition of commercial success".
Gazillion Entertainment
On Tuesday, March 17, 2009, it was revealed that Gazillion EntertainmentGazillion Entertainment
Gazillion Entertainment is a video game company based in San Mateo CA. Gazillion is the parent company for The Amazing Society and Secret Identity Studio.-Video Games:...
has signed an exclusive 10-year deal with Marvel
Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC , formerly Marvel Enterprises and Toy Biz, Inc., is an American entertainment company formed from the merger of Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. and Toy Biz, Inc....
games, of which Marvel Universe is one. The first title released is called Super Hero Squad Online, which targets younger audiences.
External links
- Gazillion Inc., Developers of Marvel Universe
- Marvel Entertainment, Owner of Marvel License
- Marvel Universe Character Designs, Secret Identity has begun to release character designs online