Marvel Universe Online

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marvel Universe Online

Developer(s) Cryptic Studios
Publisher(s) Microsoft Game Studios
Designer(s) Cryptic Studios
Platform(s) Xbox 360, PC (Windows Vista)
Release date Cancelled [1]
Genre(s) Role-Playing, Fighting, Strategy
Mode(s) Multiplayer
Rating(s) ESRB: Rating Pending (RP)

Marvel Universe Online was the previous working title of Champions Online. The MMO game was developed by Cryptic Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios exclusively for Microsoft Windows Vista and Xbox 360 platforms using a license from Marvel.[1][2]

IGN stated that Marvel Universe Online would take history from 60 years of Marvel Comics as well as integrate current events in the comic books for the next five to ten years.

However, the project was changed on Feb. 11, 2008 due to what a Microsoft spokesperson referred to as "an inability to compete" with the current MMO marketplace.[3] Less than a week later, Cryptic Studios announced that development would continue using a new IP license of The Champions (Hero Universe), a popular role playing game.[4]

Contents

[edit] Trailer

A teaser trailer had been released to promote the game, showing off statue-like images of various Marvel characters, but without any shown game-play footage. The visible characters in the trailer are Apocalypse, Captain America, Cyclops, Daredevil, Doctor Doom, Doctor Octopus, Nick Fury, Galactus, the Hulk, Magneto, Nightcrawler, the Punisher, Quicksilver, a Sentinel, Spider-Man, the Thing, Uatu, and Wolverine.[5]

[edit] Cancellation

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.[6] 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".[1]

Game Informer reported that an anonymous source revealed to them that Microsoft and Marvel had disagreements regarding the licensing of Marvel characters, which led to the cancellation.[7]

Cryptic Studios have since announced that they are working on Champions Online, another superhero-based MMO.[4]

[edit] Industry response

In response to the cancellation, David Perry expressed surprise at the decision to cancel the project, believing that the Marvel brand was a viable potential competitor in the MMO market.[8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Totilo, Stephen (February 11, 2008). Why Marvel MMO Was Canceled. MTV Multiplayer. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
  2. ^ "Marvel Entertainment and Cryptic Studios Unveil 'Marvel Universe Online'" (HTML), Business Wire, 2006-09-27. Retrieved on 2006-09-27. 
  3. ^ Goldstein, Hilary (2006-09-28). The Marvel Universe Evolves Online: What to expect from Marvel's first MMO (HTML). IGN. Retrieved on 2006-10-02.
  4. ^ a b Tor Thorsen (2008-02-13). Cryptic bringing Champions Online to PCs, consoles. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
  5. ^ Marvel Universe Online Trailer (WMV). Cryptic Studios. Retrieved on 2008-01-16.
  6. ^ Fear, Ed (November 15, 2007). "Marvel Universe canned?". Develop. 
  7. ^ Game Informer, March 2008, Issue 79, p. 58
  8. ^ Welsh, Oli (February 14, 2008). "Perry "stunned" by Marvel Universe cancellation". Eurogamer. 

[edit] External links

 This Marvel Comics-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
 This article about a computer or console role-playing game is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
 This online game-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
Languages