| Marvel Universe | |
|---|---|
Marvel Universe Key Art |
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| Developer(s) | Gazillion Entertainment |
| Designer(s) | Secret Identity Studios |
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Genre(s) | Role-Playing, Fighting, Strategy, MMOG |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
| Media/distribution | Web interface |
Marvel Universe (also known as Marvel Universe Online and Marvel Heroes) 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.[1] The plot will revolve around the super villain Doctor Doom and various Marvel superheroes. An official release date of the game is currently unknown.
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Marvel Universe will be a free-to-play game and will not require a monthly subscription.[2] While micro-transactions will be used to fund and support the game, players will not need to spend money to access the full game.[2] Players will be able to play as various Marvel superheroes[3], such as Iron Man, Ms. Marvel, Human Torch, Storm, Hulk, Spider-Man, Thor, Wolverine, Captain America, Thing, Squirrel Girl, Nova, Cable and Deadpool.[4][5]
Marvel Universe Online was originally going to be developed by Cryptic Studios, but was later cancelled, and was not picked up until years later by Gazillion Entertainment.
Marvel Universe Online was the original working title of Champions Online. 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.[6]
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.[7]
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.[8] 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".
On Tuesday, March 17, 2009, it was revealed that Gazillion Entertainment 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.