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[Nirolak]

Interview: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/m...f337&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

So I'll do the overall highlights and then cover The Defenders in particular.

Highlights:

• Some of this is stuff they've said before, but I'll just cover the whole thing quick for those who don't remember interviews from a year or two ago.
• Marvel was very happy with the progress of their mobile live service games, but felt that their console games were not very good. As such, they hired Jay Ong, a gaming executive who used to work at Marvel and Blizzard, to work on fixing that while continuing to expand their mobile live service business.
• Marvel also noticed that a ton of their fans were either being introduced to the Marvel universe or having their primary interaction with Marvel characters be through games, so they felt it was very important to get the division up to the standards of their film and TV business.
• The Arkham games were a huge influence on their strategy for how to make console games. While they didn't want to make games that were literally just Arkham Asylum, they felt that the Arkham titles showed that you could design a game directly around what makes a superhero interesting and end up with a great product even if it didn't exactly match what was already out there in the market. They contrast this with "brand slaps" where you just make a game and then shove the IP on it even if it doesn't really fit the characters thematically, which is something they try to avoid now.
• Currently, their games exist in standalone universes because they want to make sure each developer has lots of freedom to do whatever they want, but they are interested in setting up a shared universe of Marvel games some day, assuming it works out for the developers.
• Marvel has large spreadsheets in their office listing out various characters and genres they would like to be in, how they best fit together, and who they think would be the best developers to work on them. They then go around to those developers and start pitching products. They also are more than happy to take pitches from developers. They say the most important thing about if they go forward with a game is if the developer actually seems passionate about the characters and the product, since if they're just doing it because "Well this would probably make money.", they feel that results in bad games.
• They mention there's a variety of unannounced console, mobile, and VR games coming up.
• Marvel is very interested in getting indies working on Marvel games, but currently their division isn't large enough to handle that. After they get their tentpole business setup however, they intend to go after that aggressively. Marvel says they feel a lot of the innovation in the industry comes from indies and they definitely want to tap into that. They give the example of how they feel Skottie Young's artwork would be great for an indie game, and how giving unusual authors has worked out great for comic books, and see indie games being akin to that.
• They mention that they definitely want to ensure there are games for Spider-Man, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Defenders (they literally list those four), but that (presumably later) they're interested in propping up games around less known characters. They mention how Ant-Man became a great film success despite being a total unknown beforehand, and hope to do the same with games at some point.
• There's a variety of other stuff about various characters and ideas in the interview.

The Defenders:

The same thing goes with Avengers: "What makes an Avengers story unique and different from a Spider-Man story or even a Defenders story? In a sense, we've learned from all kinds of great storytelling in gaming.

There are characters like Spider-Man, Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Defenders, which are all properties that have a natural awareness and fan affinity. And we absolutely want to make sure that we deliver on those, but I think we're also interested in plucking some characters from obscurity that you may not have not heard of and making a game around them.

So of those four, we know that:
- Spider-Man: Insomniac
- The Avengers: Crystal Dynamics w/ support from Eidos Montreal
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Eidos Montreal and Telltale are both making games
- The Defenders: No known or rumored games

 

[Alexious]

Which interview?

 

[Nirolak]

Which interview?

Whoops. I knew I forgot something.

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/m...f337&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

 

[SpaceWolf]

I'd be totally down for a competent Defenders game.

4 player co-op!

 

[FelipeMGM]

The Defenders as a 4 player co-op Platinum developed game

Spoiler

(like TMNT but good )

do it

 

[Platy]

Marvel is very interested in getting indies working on Marvel games, but currently their division isn't large enough to handle that. After they get their tentpole business setup however, they intend to go after that aggressively. Marvel says they feel a lot of the innovation in the industry comes from indies and they definitely want to tap into that. They give the example of how they feel Skottie Young's artwork would be great for an indie game, and how giving unusual authors has worked out great for comic books, and see indie games being akin to that.

I am not sure if this is awesome or a company understanding everything completly wrong

 

[PadWarrior]

Isn't MVCI already an indie?

Kappa

 

[Nirolak]

The Defenders as a 4 player co-op Platinum developed game

Spoiler

(like TMNT but good )

do it

Marvel doesn't actually fund games. You would need a publisher somewhere in this equation.

 

[FelipeMGM]

Marvel doesn't actually fund games. You would need a publisher somewhere in this equation.

oh yeah

Do it Square (?) then

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

Give it to United Front Games and get them to do it in the vein of Sleeping Dogs, but with GTAV on the fly character swapping.

Do that and I'd buy it at a high price.... (just keep the writers of the Netflix shows well away).

 

[Nirolak]

Give it to United Front Games and get them to do it in the vein of Sleeping Dogs, but with GTAV on the fly character swapping.

Do that and I'd buy it at a high price.... (just keep the writers of the Netflix shows well away).

That studio closed down.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Make Iron Fist Asian and then we'll talk

Give it to United Front Games and get them to do it in the vein of Sleeping Dogs, but with GTAV on the fly character swapping.

Do that and I'd buy it at a high price.... (just keep the writers of the Netflix shows well away).

UFG is now defunct

 

[Sesha]

Marvel indie games

Marvel Indies? Hnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngh.

I need a New X-Men/X-Men: Academy Persona-style RPG. And, maybe out of the scope of indies, a X-23 Ninja Gaiden-esque action game.

God what I wouldn't give to work on a Kate Bishop, Araña, Dust, Monica Rambeau, Nextwave, Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur, Ms. America, Hazmat, Faiza Hussein, Nova or Iron Fist game.

 

[cj_iwakura]

Pharmaceutical Manager starring Danny Rand. Experience boardroom meetings at 60FPS.

 

[Neonep]

Nobody wants a fucking Defenders game, just put Daredevil and Iron Fist in MVC:I. Marvel's game division is run by some asshats.

 

[FelipeMGM]

Give it to United Front Games and get them to do it in the vein of Sleeping Dogs, but with GTAV on the fly character swapping.

Do that and I'd buy it at a high price.... (just keep the writers of the Netflix shows well away).

yeah, thats not gonna happen...

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

That studio closed down.

Make Iron Fist Asian and then we'll talk


UFG is now defunct

:-O


...... You're kidding right?!?

If not... F*%K!!!!!!

Edit:
Just checked the Wiki....nooooooooooooooooo... Afternoon ruined.

 

[OmegaSmash]

Make it a beat em up and I'm there day 1.

 

[cj_iwakura]

Nobody wants a fucking Defenders game, just put Daredevil and Iron Fist in MVC:I. Marvel's game division is run by some asshats.

It could be great if done right.

Emphasis on could be.

 

[shingi70]

Nobody wants a fucking Defenders game, just put Daredevil and Iron Fist in MVC:I. Marvel's game division is run by some asshats.

I think the appeal of a Defenders co-op Arkham like game is bigger than dlc for a underwhelming looking fighter.

 

[HeatBoost]

Yacht Club on a side scrolling pixel Captain America game in the vein the NES version of Captain America & The Avengers please

 

[Sesha]

Double Fine and Ninja Theory immediately leap out at me as solid candidates, although NT seems to prefer working on their own stuff these days.

 

[Sgt. Kabukiman]

What I really want is a Daredevil game but I understand that he's not really on the same level as Batman and Spider-Man so I would be happy with a Defenders game instead as long as it's its own thing and not tied to the Netflixverse too much.

Regarding the indie games, it's something I would have loved to see WB do long ago. It makes no sense for them to make a AAA Green Lantern game right now but imagine what an indie dev could do if they took that IP and made a 2D metroidvania with it... There are so many possibilities, not everything needs to be Arkham Asylum.

 

[SuperDowns]

I feel like they should see if the Netflix show is any good. I mean.... it does have Iron Fist (and that terrible actor) in it....

 

[almostjuliuscaesar]

Have been waiting for marvel to get back into the light since the days of Xmen Legends & MUA. this is very good news for me. And I'm looking very forward to that Avengers game.

 

[Nirolak]

Double Fine and Ninja Theory immediately leap out at me as solid candidates, although NT seems to prefer working on their own stuff these days.

Ninja Theory has four unannounced games IIRC, so I'm guessing some of those are contract work.

That said, I suspect they have no teams large enough to actually handle something like this unless it's a downloadable game or three of those projects are very small.

 

[Falchion]

I'm definitely excited for the Marvel games to come starting with Spiderman which looks awesome.

 

[Neoxon]

The Defenders as a 4 player co-op Platinum developed game

Spoiler

(like TMNT but good )

do it

Beat me to it.

 

[Sesha]

Ninja Theory has four unannounced games IIRC, so I'm guessing some of those are contract work.

That said, I suspect they have no teams large enough to actually handle something like this unless it's a downloadable game or three of those projects are very small.

How many people do they employ? 70? 80? 100?

 

[Shaanyboi]

What I really want is a Daredevil game but I understand that he's not really on the same level as Batman and Spider-Man so I would be happy with a Defenders game instead as long as it's its own thing and not tied to the Netflixverse too much.

Splinter Cell but with solid melee combat and more acrobatic traversal...

...or Just Arkham City with more acrobatic traversal.


Either way, a Daredevil game is totally doable.

 

[dh4niel]

What about my X-Men game tho.

 

[MiguelMexMIstery]

This is gonna be good

 

[Neonep]

Double Fine and Ninja Theory immediately leap out at me as solid candidates, although NT seems to prefer working on their own stuff these days.

NT still hasn't made a great game yet. They are essentially below average.

 

[Sou Da]

What about my X-Men game tho.

Friend you aren't getting another X-Men game in your lifetime.

 

[Some Nobody]

Nobody wants a fucking Defenders game, just put Daredevil and Iron Fist in MVC:I. Marvel's game division is run by some asshats.

Look. I don't give a fuck about Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, and from the looks of things neither does the FGC. It barely even looks good. So no, I won't just settle for a Daredevil/Iron Fist "appearance" when I coul get an actual Defenders game.

Marvel's game division is sounding like it knows wtf its talking about, and you sound like the kind of guy who thinks WB should "just make Batman movies, everyone likes those".

 

[Neoxon]

This is gonna be good

I think they're referring to the MCU Defenders.

 

[More_Badass]

We've seen a few indie teams do licensed tie-ins (ie Broforce getting an Expendables spinoff), but Marvel giving a team freedom to do what they want would be amazing

Give Iron Fist to Absolver team

Give The Defenders to the Shadow Tactics team

 

[jon bones]

Really thrilled to see Marvel start to build up their games division.

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

Double Fine and Ninja Theory immediately leap out at me as solid candidates, although NT seems to prefer working on their own stuff these days.

Ninja Theory did work with Disney on Infinity. They have some unannounced projects and they probably still have connections with Disney. Who knows.

Look. I don't give a fuck about Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, and from the looks of things neither does the FGC. It barely even looks good. So no, I won't just settle for a Daredevil/Iron Fist "appearance" when I coul get an actual Defenders game.

Marvel's game division is sounding like it knows wtf its talking about, and you sound like the kind of guy who thinks WB should "just make Batman movies, everyone likes those".

If the tournament money and dev support is there the FGC will care for Infinite.

 

[Robert at Zeboyd Games]

I've always wanted to make a superhero JRPG.

 

[Some Nobody]

I think they're referring to the MCU Defenders.

Exactly this. I mean, they don't even have the rights to Silver Surfer so he's out anyway.

 

[Hatefilled Vengeance]

Punisher GTA style game.

 

[MC Safety]

When I say I want a Defenders game, I mean I want the comic book Defenders, the classic non-team featuring Dr. Strange, Hulk, Namor, and Silver Surfer.

As I am feeling generous, the game may also include a rotating team of bit-players such as Beast, Iceman, Manslaughter, Angel (from The New Defenders) and part-timers Hellcat, Valkyrie, Devil Slayer, and so forth.

 

[Neoxon]

When I say I want a Defenders game, I mean I want the comic book Defenders, the classic non-team featuring Dr. Strange, Hulk, Namor, and Silver Surfer.

As I am feeling generous, the game may also include a rotating team of bit-players such as Beast, Iceman, Manslaughter, Angel (from The New Defenders) and part-timers Hellcat, Valkyrie, Devil Slayer, and so forth.

I wouldn't get your hopes up for Silver Surfer.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

So...

Make it a 4 player co-op brawler in the style of Streets of Rage 2 and 3 fighting the Hand, with special moves, co-op combos, crazy boss fights, and various stages all based on Hell's Kitchen, bonus stages, unlockable outfits and secret playable characters (Elektra, The Punisher) and more.

Where can I sign up to manage this project? ✋

 

[KeyBladerXIII]

Just give me a good Ultimate Alliance sequel and I'll be happy.

 

[Sgt. Kabukiman]

This is gonna be good

Lol, that would be funny. Lots of people would end up being VERY confused.

Exactly this. I mean, they don't even have the rights to Silver Surfer so he's out anyway.

They don't have the movie rights to Silver Surfer but I believe they still have the videogame rights for everything FF related. They just don't want to use them because they hate happiness and joy.

 

[Slayven]

The Defenders have a deep bench that leans toward the supernatural so they can do pretty much anything.

 

[Trace]

When I say I want a Defenders game, I mean I want the comic book Defenders, the classic non-team featuring Dr. Strange, Hulk, Namor, and Silver Surfer.

As I am feeling generous, the game may also include a rotating team of bit-players such as Beast, Iceman, Manslaughter, Angel (from The New Defenders) and part-timers Hellcat, Valkyrie, Devil Slayer, and so forth.

Yea no chance that happens.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Nobody wants a fucking Defenders game, just put Daredevil and Iron Fist in MVC:I. Marvel's game division is run by some asshats.

I would be totally on board for a Defenders game in the style of Streets of Rage, developed by Wayforward. 2D artwork would be perfect.