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Super Hero Squad Online revamps cash shop, posts Recharged trailer
Kid-friendly Super Hero Squad Online is today touting its recent Recharged patch, the game's biggest ever release. Recharged brings new starter heroes, new gear, new achievements, and new missions to the game. Players and parents will want to know that the cash shop has been revamped and prices on buyables like heroes have been reduced. Currency acquisition has also been redesigned and simplified; the game's currencies have been merged into one currency called fractals, which are now obtainable in larger quantities and through more activities. Gazillion boasts that its active playerbase has more than doubled in size since the update. Enjoy the game's fresh trailer below.
Super Hero Squad Online brings out achievements
The achievements are coming! Hear ye, hear he! The achievements are coming! Sorry, we're trying a new type of news dispersal technique at Massively that involves riding around on horses and shouting at townfolk. In any case, Super Hero Squad Online is prepping a "doozy" of an update for the game, and one of the big additions that will be in it is an achievement system. According to the team, achievements "range from simple things like destroying a Troublebot to silly things like farting in the Asgard throne room to really hard things like getting an Adamantium score 1,000 times." There will be over 5,000 achievements added to the game including destiny achievement sets that earn special rewards.
Super Hero Squad Online commemorates its third birthday
Who says kids MMOs are dead? Not Super Hero Squad Online! The adorable chibi-superhero MMO turns three this week, boasting seven million registrations since launch, 144 different playable heroes, playable villains, and even a new crafting system. The celebratory game additions and perks include new characters (Spider-Ham, Captain America Stealth, Falcon EXO-7, and Winter Solider), new world event heroes, hero sales, Facebook giveaways, a 20%-off sub sale through April, and a birthday card contest. Enjoy the festivities in the brand-new trailer below. [Source: Gazillion press release]
Marvel Super Hero Squad Online surpasses 6 million and offers free sub
When reaching a major milestone, it's pretty common to celebrate. Many even mark the occasion with gifts. And that's exactly what Marvel Super Hero Squad Online is doing for surpassing six million registrations -- and the players are the gift recipients! Until October 31st, 2013, Gazillion Entertainment is offering one week of paid subscription for the free-to-play game. Each account can claim this gift one time by entering the code 6MILPLYRS in the "Redeem a Game Code!" box on the official site. Marvel Super Hero Squad Online has over 100 playable heroes to choose from, including such favorites as Black Widow, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hawkeye, Thor, Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America, and more. The game also offers various game modes, sidekicks, titles, world events, arcade games, and even a collectible card game starring Super Heroes from the game. To play, head on over to the site to sign up. [Source: Gazillion Entertainment press release]
Super Hero Squad Online tops four million registered players
If big numbers and dubious milestones are your passion, then have we got a post for you! Gazillion announced that its Super Hero Squad Online just crossed the four million player line. Of course, these are registered players, so that includes actual players of the title and anyone who just signed up on the website. Gazillion President David Brevik popped the celebratory cork anyway: "Breaking four million registered users is a tremendous achievement for Super Hero Squad Online and for Gazillion Entertainment. We love the passion that our players have shown for the game, and we are excited to continue to put out new and exciting content for them to enjoy." The studio is working hard to expand the overall service of the game, including a redesigned website that will allow European players to access North American servers. [Source: Gazillion press release]
Stephen Reid is 'on again' with Gazillion Entertainment
Stephen Reid, most recently one of the folks steering the consular ship that is the Star Wars: The Old Republic community, has found a home (once again) with Gazillion Entertainment. The industry vet has worked as Gazillion's Community Director previously and says he's both really happy and "strangely nervous" to be back to the job and working on Marvel games. "The future of gaming isn't certain and a 'job for life' doesn't exist. All you can do is follow your passion and your heart and hope it leads somewhere great. That's what I've done for my entire career, and I'm not going to stop now." Reid's now working on the up-and-running Super Hero Squad Online and the soon-to-be-launched Marvel Heroes. If you want to know more about the move, hit up his Tumblr post or listen in on this TORWars.com podcast.
Super Hero Squad Online introduces Ant-Man, new Avengers costumes
Avengers, assemble! In Super Hero Squad Online, that is. The fine folks at Gazillion Entertainment announced today that in order to celebrate the upcoming release of the much-anticipated Avengers film, the latest update to the free-to-play title will allow players to assemble the original Avengers team thanks to the introduction of Ant-Man and a new World-War-II-era costume for Captain America. As comic aficionados know, the original Avengers team (unlike the team featured in the upcoming film) consisted of Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, Ant-Man, and Wasp. Now that Ant-Man has joined the fray, the entire roster of original Avengers characters is now available in SHSO, and not a second too soon. The mischievous trickster-god Loki is back in business, and it's up to players to protect Baxter Plaza and the fallen remains of Asgard from his destructive antics. So what are you waiting for? Assemble your team and get to work; humanity is depending on you, heroes. [Source: Gazillion Entertainment press release]
MMO Family: Kid-friendly MMO roundup, part 1
With all of the buzz centered around "grown-up" MMO titles like Star Wars: The Old Republic and Guild Wars 2, it's easy for the kid-friendly games to get lost in the shuffle. There may not be as many kid titles on the horizon, but for the games that are currently out there, there's been an amazing amount of activity going on in these virtual worlds. I decided to take a peek at some of my (and the kids') favorites, along with a few games that we've done first impressions on, to see what they've been up to lately. Since there are too many great kid-friendly MMOs out there to fit into one column, this will be the first of what will probably be many follow-up entries covering other games, so if you don't see your favorite family-friendly game here, fear not!
Super Hero Squad Online gets vocal with new all-star cast of talent
Voice-acting in MMOs seems to be all the rage these days, and Gazillion Entertainment, publisher of the free-to-play Super Hero Squad Online, seems to be jumping on the bandwagon. In a press release today, the company announced that each and every hero and villain in the game will be receiving a full vocal makeover, and many characters will be voiced by the same actors who provide voice work for the Super Hero Squad television series. Jay Minn, vice president of The Amazing Society -- the development studio behind the games -- is obviously quite pleased with the decision to give voice to the game's dozens of characters, stating that "the heroes and villains in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online have always had their own unique personalities and attitudes... We're excited and very proud to let our heroes and villains speak their minds!" The statement adds that the game currently includes over 3000 lines of spoken dialogue (with over 100 attributed to everyone's favorite Merc with a Mouth), so players can expect plenty of witty quips from their characters of choice. To get in the game and hear the new voiceovers for yourself, just click on through the link below to Super Hero Squad Online's official site. [Source: Gazillion Entertainment press release]
Super Hero Squad Online wishes you a merry X-Men Month
If you're gearing up for Xmas, then why not invite the X-Men over for some casual MMO gaming? Gazillion has declared that December is "X-Men Month" in Super Hero Squad Online, as the title turns its attention to Professor X's extraordinary students and their action-packed outings. Enrollment is open for the School for Gifted Youngsters, and signing up for superhero mayhem are several brand-new heroes for the game. The MMO is also unleashing four new quests -- two for Wolverine and two for Rogue -- to go with its signature card battles. Vice President Jay Minn is (sorry) super-psyched for the theme month: "X-Men month has been a long time coming since the launch of our game. Nightcrawler, Phoenix, Angel, Iceman and Shadowcat have always topped our list of most-requested Marvel heroes. We are very excited that our fans will finally be able to show off and fight evil as the X-Men! Happy holidays everyone and Hero Up!" [Source: Gazillion press release]
Super Hero Squad Online reaches the one-million-player mark
Fun missions, quirky emotes, and customizable superhero hideouts seem to have carved out a comfortable space in the MMO gaming world: Marvel's Super Hero Squad Online announced today that it's reached one million registered users. SHSO, which launched just back in April, has been a big hit with the younger crowd (and presumably with parents) by offering up free and easily accessible gameplay as well as a focus on a kid-friendly environment. Jay Minn, vice president of Gazillion's Amazing Society, is predictably happy with the number and promises to keep the updates coming: "We'll keep adding new content and characters all the time, it's truly wonderful to see the game alive with over a million registered players having fun brawling, battling, exploring and making super heroic friends!" [Source: Gazillion press release]
The dark side of Super Hero Squad Online
Who says good guys never go bad? In Villainville, the newest expansion to Marvel's kid-friendly Super Hero Squad Online, players can do just that. Situated beyond the borders of the pleasant Super Hero City, Villainville is home to Doctor Doom's Lethal Legion and his evil minions, and within the dark city's walls and sewers, players go beyond merely fighting the bad guys -- they can become fallen versions of some of their favorite heroes, like Dark Surfer, Red Hulk, Iron Patriot, and Red She-Hulk. Players can also explore the all-new game world and jump into new missions like Abomination Obliteration and MODOK's Mo' Problems. SHSO, which released last year complete with housing and a trading card game, is a F2P browser-based MMO that's heavy on the comic mischief and perfect for a quick superhero-flavored dungeon romp. Be you big kid or small, check out the new Villainville trailer behind the break!
Super Hero Squad Online showcases Gladiator Hulk
Hail, emperor, we who are about to SMASH salute you! Gazillion Entertainment announced today that a new warrior has entered the Super Hero Squad Online Colosseum. Gladiator Hulk (who was actually introduced in the Asgard update) looks smashing (ah ha ha) in his gladiator's armor and is ready to dominate the arenas and smash some skulls. In addition to introducing the new combatant, Gazillion says that the game has been updated with extra missions for players to come, see, and conquer. For a look at Gladiator Hulk in action, you can check out the gallery below or jump on past the cut for a trailer showcasing Hulkimus Maximus going Roman on some unfortunate souls. And of course, to join the fray you can click on over to the Super Hero Squad Online official site. %Gallery-93313%
Super Hero Squad Online launches with a new trailer!
Earlier today we reported about Marvel Universe Online, but there is more good news coming out of Marvel Studios and Gazillion Entertainment. Super Hero Squad Online has officially opened its doors to the public. It is time to hero up and start creating your own fabulous force of freedom fighters. The kid-in-adult-size-shoes Jay Minn, creative director for SHSO, invites you to join in the fun. As he says in the launch press release, "Where else can you fight Doctor Doom, wall crawl up the Baxter Building, go flying with your friends, and collect a scratching post for Wolverine? We've built an awesome Super Hero theme park, so come and play!" Grab your Captain America shield, your Iron Man suit, and Thor's hammer and watch this teaser video after the break. And if that inspires you to create your own team of Marvel superheroes, fly over to HeroUp.com to start playing! Nuff said!
Marvel Universe Online will be free-to-play, penned by Bendis
Move over, Batman: After a few false starts, Marvel's finally poised to become the next big MMO superhero thing. Thursday evening, I attended Gazillion Entertainment and Marvel's live San Francisco reveal of Marvel Universe Online's head writer, the jovial Brian Michael Bendis. Joining Brian for a lively Q&A panel were Gazillion President and COO David Brevik, VP and Studio Head for Secret Identity (fka Gargantuan) Jeff Lind, and VP of Games at Marvel TQ Jefferson. Brian's involvement in the game's story wasn't the only announcement the panelists had in store for attendees -- they almost casually confessed that players will slip into the spandex of iconic Marvel characters and that the game will be free-to-play, making it perhaps the first Western triple-A title to be designed for such a model from the ground up. Because I knew you'd be disappointed if I didn't, I dutifully asked an amused Jeff Lind about PvP, housing, crafting, voice acting, character customization, travel powers, advancement, and all those other goodies, but as you can probably guess, the devs aren't in a position to talk about sweeping systems just yet -- they want to "retain the ability to change [their] minds." So manage thy expectations accordingly! Fortunately, both Jeff and Brian were willing to chat about story, tie-ins, and MUO's niche in an increasingly crowded superhero MMO field, so hit the break for their thoughts and my round-up of the hot topics from the panel.
Account creation opens wide for Super Hero Squad Online
Shh... don't say "open beta" around these superheroes, but it looks as though Super Hero Squad Online may be doing the next best thing. The ultra-cute, ultra-powerful Marvel MMO is now accepting accounts from everyone -- even that supervillain down the street. Previously, you needed a beta code to get a sneak peek at the game, but it looks as though that barrier's been smashed by lil' Hulk. Super Hero Squad Online also has moved its secret website lair to www.HeroUp.com, which is where you'll need to go to create your own preview account. Currently, all players are assigned a silver-level membership, which limits you to four heroes, although gold-level memberships are on the way. Along with the website move and open accounts, SHSO has added additional heroes (such as War Machine and Silver Surfer), new daily missions, a tutorial, and improved safe chat. Gazillion says that the game is up and running 24/7 now, so you have plenty of time to see what's what!
Super Hero Squad Online shows some /emote-ion
Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is at it again: swinging from the rooftops, snapping the next great shot for the Daily Bugle. But what is he capturing this time? It's certainly not a picture of himself saving the day. He's taking pictures of all his superhero friends posing in the streets of Superhero City. Super Hero Squad Online isn't all about saving the day every minute. Sometimes you just need to relax or maybe show off to your friends. Gazillion Entertainment and The Amazing Society have put together a trailer of all your favorite characters of SHSO showing off their emotes. From Black Panther playing with a ball of yarn to the Wasp riding a wild rodeo pigeon, superheroes know how to have fun, and in Super Hero Squad Online, these heroes are yours to command. Jump past the break to see the trailer for yourself, then fly on over to HeroUp.com to sign up for the beta, today!
Super Hero Squad Online fires up closed beta
Get ready, true believers! News has come down the wires today that Gazillion's Super Hero Squad Online has officially headed into closed beta. What this also means is that with this announcement, the open beta for this family-friendly MMO is one step closer. Hopefully, it also means that we'll be seeing some forward momentum on the other (read: more adult) Marvel MMO, which Gazillion has indicated is under development as well. For those not familiar, Super Hero Squad Online is based on the saturday morning cartoon, The Super Hero Squad Show, which has introduced the Marvel characters to a whole new generation. SHSO will be releasing as a free-to-play game with an optional subscription to unlock more content -- no word on the price point, currently. Another thing of note is that the game will be playable via browser, offering players a fast in to the action without exorbitant pre-downloads. A promotional comic for Super Hero Squad Online is also available at Taco Bell, which gives a bit of story and offers up a code for an "exclusive super-hero" according to Gazillion's release. So, if your kids -- or you -- would like to hero up with Super Hero Squad Online, head over to the official site and get signed up. Excelsior! %Gallery-93313%
An animated video diary from the team behind Super Hero Squad Online
Animation is responsible for a lot in an MMO. A lot of the visual personality of the game is conveyed through animations, both the mechanically important ones for special abilities and the ubiquitous flavor emotes such as dancing. So Super Hero Squad Online has both an advantage and disadvantage for the development team -- they're working with characters who have a lot of established personality, but that means there's even more emphasis on getting everything just right. A new video development diary from the team shows off the process of bringing a character to life in the game, with Wolverine getting the starring role. The video moves step-by-step from the initial modeling and texturing process through the skeleton modeling and manipulation, while also showing off several of the animations that Wolverine will (presumably) be sporting in the final game. There's a great deal of attention to detail and the fine points of what makes each character tick, so if you're looking forward to Super Hero Squad Online, click on past the break to see how the team is putting a lot of expression into little movements.
Dress up in new costumes with Super Hero Squad Online!
Children of all ages (yup, that includes most of the adults out there) have dressed up for Halloween as their favorite super hero. The Super Hero Squad Online from Marvel and Gazillion is giving out new costumes for the kids (and adults) this trick-or-treat season. We all know what the classic Spider-man costume looks like, right? Well, why not try the black costume? Or maybe a red Hulk fits you better? Whatever best helps you to hero up! Each costume is not just a cover to wear over your existing costume, but they are full-fledged heroes with their own emotes and superpowers that are different from any other hero. After the costume try-ons are over, go play the amazing online trading card game or save Super Hero City from evil. What? You haven't signed up for beta yet? Well, get over there an do it now, and while you're at it you can sign up your children, too. Gazillion is looking for a whole range of different testers! And if you haven't seen the "spooky" Halloween trailer, you can watch it by hitting "Read More" below. 'Nuff said.
