marvel
Latest
Marvel Super Hero Squad, it's kiddy, it's coming
What with super-hero movies going mainstream, it's going to be more and more common to see licenses such as those being used to appeal to the main stream in other entertainment industries. Like the games industry for instance...Now we had never heard of Marvel's Super Hero Squad before this, but it is apparently a action figure line similar to Kubricks, and Marvel now has an animated series on the way, along with the THQ-published game. Not much is known about the game at the moment, but lets face it, it's a kid's game, based on a kid's line of cheap toys, based on comics. You don't need to know any more about it.
Cinemassively: Iron Man in Second Life
Annie Ok has been out of the virtual sweatshop business for less than three weeks, and she's already moved on to something even more epic! Tateru Nino previously wrote about Paramount and Marvel's fan-art contest for the recently released film, Iron Man. Now Silverscreen has released the machinima to go along with it!If you've seen the movie and would like to get the avatar in-world, you can find them on Silverscreen Island. The fan-art contest is going on through May 7th if you'd still like to submit an entry, or you can check out their flickr photo pool.[Via Silverscreen]If you have machinima or movie suggestions from any MMO, please send them to machinima AT massively DOT com, along with any information you might have about them.
Is user generated content the future of MMOs?
User generated content. Second Life is built on it. Other games are slowly taking up the banner as well and introducing the ideas of the players into their fold. Are we doing ourselves a favor, or are we starting to completely shoot ourselves in the foot?MMOCrunch brought up the point that users are looking for a more customizable experience in their games and virtual worlds. They point to applications like Facebook and Unreal Tournament as examples of user generated content bringing in a huge audience and networking people like never before. Their article also goes on to look at why current MMOs don't go to the customizable lengths of these other applications. Problems stem from challenges in programming to the core inability for user generated content to be brought into a world where your actions drive a centralized plot line.
Marvel Comics hires former Sony exec as digital media VP
Marvel Comics has announced the hiring of Ira Rubenstein, a 12-year vet of Sony Pictures where he oversaw digital distribution, casual and mobile games including properties such as Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, as well as mobile titles like Spider-Man 2: The Hero Returns and Ratchet and Clank: Going Mobile. His new role will be much the same as the executive vice president of Global Digital Media at Marvel, where he'll handle digital distribution of content across across all platforms, as well as lead Marvel's charge into mobile and casual games -- meaning we'll know where to place the blame when someday we're coordinating the drapes in Stark Tower from our mobile phones.
The Ultimate Alliance forms again in 2009
Fans of the latest Marvel dungeon crawler, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, know that a sequel to your beloved game is inbound, however it's going to take a bit longer than you might like. You see, the sequel to the first game isn't going to be on shelves until next year. Here, cry on our shoulder. Go ahead, let it all out!Our cruel overlords at Joystiq seem to think that the new Spider-Man: Web of Shadows game could have something to do with the delay. As for us, well, we're not complaining if the time is put to good use. The first game was a boatload of fun, so we hope the sequel is just as good, if not better.[Via Joystiq]
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 pushed to 2009 ... or not [update]
Update: It looks like Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 won't be delayed after all. UGO's original report misconstrued a statement on the conflicting launches of Activision's two Marvel properties. Both Ultimate Alliance 2 and Spider-man: Web of Shadows are still scheduled for release in 2008.Original: Despite Activision's early claims of mass-Marvel action in 2008, it appears that the sequel to Marvel Ultimate Alliance won't be hitting shelves this year, after all. The delay is possibly an attempt to avoid dividing sales between the title and Spider-man: Web of Shadows, which is due out this fall.Reporting from the NYC Comic-Con, UGO Gamesblog spoke with an Activision representative, who stated that the action RPG sequel will not be seeing a release in 2008. The original game (pictured above) was released in 2006 to largely favorable reviews.
Iron Man demo hitting Xbox Live Marketplace tomorrow
Sega has kindly informed us that an interactive snippet of gameplay from its upcoming Iron Man game will become available for download on the Xbox Live Marketplace sometime tomorrow. Players are invited to become literal cans of whoop-ass, with Marvel's metal-clad superhero aiding them in the destruction of tanks, jets and other things that explode when you punch them a lot.PlayStation 3 owners will have to make do with our impressions for now, though a PSN demo is scheduled to arrive "soon." Iron Man is out for every console ever on May 2, the same day they release a movie of the same name. What a coincidence!%Gallery-19567%
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows confirmed for all current platforms
It seems we'll be donning our tight-fitting Spider-Man costumes and matching cavalier attitudes sooner than expected, as we head off to the store to purchase Spider-Man: Web of Shadows. The humiliation better be worth it this time, Activision! Confirming earlier rumors, the publisher has announced (via IGN) that Spidey's next "free-roaming, open-ended" adventure will be hitting the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Wii, DS, PSP and PC, courtesy of Shaba Games and Treyarch. Not much is known about the title, but the official website hints that you'll be able to influence the game's "direction and outcome" and choose which characters in the Marvel universe to ally yourself with. The central theme seems to be "control," though as the trailer (embedded after the break) rightly points out, we can't know what it really means ... until we lose it.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Joystiq impressions: Iron Man (Xbox 360)
Of course Iron Man is yet another movie cash-in, a title that will sit on the shelf and call to you as you march out the cinema with glitzy, superhero shenanigans still fresh in your memory. But aside from all that, wanting to play as the eponymous, metal-clad cad is a desire that doesn't just come from the foul wells of corporate synergy and marketing. Nigh indestructible and capable of dishing out destruction from the palm of his hand, it's no challenge to see the appeal in controlling Iron Man -- a literal can of whoop-ass. It does come as a major concern then, when his in-game movements display more than a little clumsiness. It's not entirely Iron Man's fault -- he's a flying tank that performs best when it maintains momentum and moves in a straight line -- but the 3rd-person action shown to us by a Sega representative seemed hampered by the controls and camera. While there's a great sense of speed and freedom conveyed by soaring across a desert, it's only when Iron Man cools his jets and starts punching things that issues arise.%Gallery-19567%
Iron Man: Stark Weapons gameplay footage
A few days ago Game Trailers nabbed the world exclusive first look at the movie adaptation game of The Incredible Hulk and gameplay footage of the Iron Man movie adaptation game as well. Our indifference to the Hulk trailer made us completely glaze over the latest footage of Iron Man. While, so far, the game looks nice we did notice how barren the world is. We've seen very little outside of the desert environment and, even though they're pretty, we'd like to see more before we decide what to think about SEGA's upcoming movie tie-in. So X3F Army, after checking out the footage we ask you ... what do you think?
Video: The Incredible Hulk breaks stuff
All ready for Edward Norton's "interesting" green giant film (no, not that green giant) The Incredible Hulk, SEGA just released the debut trailer for The Incredible Hulk video game. And for Hulk purists, you don't have to worry. SEGA didn't switch up anything too drastically seeing that it's one of those ever popular film based games. You'll still be playing a green Hulk, you'll still be strong, you'll still break stuff and you'll still be angry. Very Hulk-like, no? Watch the trailer, decide if you enjoy what you see and, while you're at it, garner an opinion for the film as well. Personally, we're giving both the movie and the game a "meh" and will be focusing our video game destruction appetite towards Prototype.
The Incredible Hulk trailer looks incredibly bland
We all heard the resounding groan that resulted when fans of 2005's well received Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction learned that Radical Entertainment and Vivendi would not be creating the video game adaptation for the upcoming cinematic stab at the muscle-bound, chartreuse hothead. Well, after watching this debut trailer for The Incredible Hulk, we'll see your groan, and raise you an extremely disappointed sigh. Throwing Ultimate Destruction's havoc-wreaking formula to the wind, the adaptation will apparently focus on our favorite lesser-known pastimes of the green meanie: moving very slowly, getting repeatedly knocked over, and being stomped on by robots. If this trailer is any indication of what we can expect from the final product, we think we'd rather spend $60 to have Lou Ferrigno pummel us for a few hours. It would be much less painful, and he could probably use the cash.(We're joking, of course. We love you, Lou. Please don't hurt us.)
Hollywood talent lend voices to Iron Man game
On Thursday Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and SEGA of America, Inc. announced that the Iron Man video game, based on the upcoming comic book adaptation due out on May 2, will feature the voice talents of film stars Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark/Iron Man), Terence Howard (Lt. Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes) and Shaun Toub (Yinsen).Iron Man is the story of billionaire Tony Stark who, during a routine weapons test in the Middle East, is captured and forced to create the ultimate weapon for terrorists. Fearing for his life, Stark decides to create a suit or armor instead and uses it to twart the plans of the evil doers. Upon returning to his normal life Stark decides to upgrade his suit and use it to fight crime as the legendary Iron Man.2008 seems to be the year of the aniticpated licensed game as the game based on Iron Man looks shockingly good along with our previous love for the upcoming Bourne title. The Iron Man game is set to hit stores day-and-date for pretty much any console around with the film later this year on May 2.Also, anyone else think it would be funny if the death animation of Iron Man in the game included his chest plate red ringing? [via SuperHeroHype]
Iron Man game will include movie voices
Should you want to bring Hollywood straight into your living rooms (or basements, or bedrooms, or wherever your game systems are set up), then Sega's got your back. The company announced today that their upcoming Iron Man game will include the same actors from the movie -- well, three of them, at least.Everyone's favorite player ladies' man, Tony Stark (aka Iron Man's alter ego), will of course be voiced by Robert Downey Jr. The other two celebs involved in the game are Terrence Howard (Jim Rhodes) and Shaun Toub (Yin-Sen).We haven't spent much time talking about Iron Man on NWF, even though the game isn't that far off (early May). Is anyone looking forward to it? And if so, do you plan on getting it for your Wii over another console?
Iron Man trailers are increasingly awesome
If there's one thing that can make us more apprehensive than a movie-based-game, it's a comic book-based-movie-based-game. We've found that the fewer levels of adaptation a product is forced through, the better off it is for it. However, after watching the VGA premiere trailer and the recent "Iron Flight" trailer for Sega's Iron Man, we must admit, it's becoming difficult to maintain this trepidatious front -- the game looks rad. Between the Black Sabbath, the missile suplex, the blue stealth armor, and the halving of not one, but two tanks, we're pretty sure the pleasure centers in our brain just burst. We highly suggest checking out that trailer while we attempt to drive to the nearest emergency neurologist.
The Hulk bashes his way onto the Wii
And no, we're not talking about Hulk Hogan, but The Incredible Hulk.When a big Hollywood movie involving a comic book character is in the works, it's often not long before a video game medium is announced. A movie based on the Hulk is coming to Hollywood for the second time in five years, so we weren't surprised when Sega announced they'd be bringing a game based on The Incredible Hulk movie to all current-gen consoles.Marvel's less-than-jolly green giant will be hitting Wiis and other systems this June, to coincide with the movie's release. It will feature an open-world New York City environment, letting you unleash your destruction upon Manhattan, while of course saving Manhattan from destruction If you ask us, the whole idea going on a rampage and destroying the city as a human-turned-monster reminds us of, well, Rampage.[Via GamesPress press release]
Sega brings the Incredible Hulk to the incredible DS
The Incredible Hulk video game is coming to every system and their mother, with the exception of the PSP. While the DS might not be your first system of choice for a title like this, those of you who prefer handheld versions of games might be looking forward to this release.Maybe we're just jaded, but we don't have high hopes for The Incredible Hulk. Video games that are based on movies that are based on comic books are usually mediocre, at best. Still, those of you who love Bruce Banner and his big, green alter ego might find this game hard to resist.One thing that sounds fun about this title is that you can pick up objects around you (like cars) and use them as weapons. The press release also boasts an "open-world representation of Manhattan," but we wouldn't be surprised if the open-world feature was cut from the DS version in favor of a more linear game.You can expect The Incredible Hulk to hit stores in June 2008, right around the movie's release.[Via GamesPress press release]
The Digital Continuum: Superhero standoff
Lets face it, the superhero genre is a bit of a niche right now in massively online games. That's not to say it doesn't have lots of potential, but there is certainly a more limited user base to garner steady subscriptions from than, say, fantasy. Ever since Marvel Universe Online got canned, the future was starting to look a bit murky for fans of the super-powered MMO -- at least until recently.
Champions Online and Cryptic Studios information bonanza
When news broke about Champions Online, it was because Game Informer Online had revealed the cover to their newest issue. We've got our hands on that issue and after pouring over its contents several times over, we're prepared to imbue you -- our readers -- with as much information as possible. There's a lot to know and a lot to get excited about, not to mention something of a bombshell from Cryptic Studios about the outcome from the sale of the City of Heroes property.
Jack Emmert explains Cryptic's Champions choice
When the news hit that Cryptic Studios' next massively game would be Champions Online, a lot questions cropped up about what we could expect from the game. One of the biggest questions or the only question for some players -- is why? Jack Emmert explains in the first developer blog post on the new official CO website. In the end, it wasn't anything surprising that made Jack stand up and say, "Lets do Champions." It was something incredibly logical and a bit nostalgia-fueled as well, but in a good way.
