Thor
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Thor teaser trailer drops the hammer
Just over a week since Sega confirmed that Thor: The Video Game was on track for next year, the company has released the first bits of media. There isn't much to go on at this point, with only a brief teaser trailer and a pair of concept art images, but allow us to make this bold prediction: The core gameplay mechanic will involve smashing things. %Gallery-98394%
Please hammer, hurt 'em: Thor officially in Marvel vs. Capcom 3
T.Q. Jefferson, director of Marvel Games, might not have had the element of surprise on his side when revealing the inclusion of the Mighty Thor in Marvel vs. Capcom 3, but the confirmation was more than welcome when he made the announcement at the MvC 3 panel at Comic-Con. "Bringing him into this game is huge," Jefferson said. "The fact that we've got the movie coming out and another Thor game coming out from Sega, there's an appetite for Thor out there among the fanbase." For the especially curious among you, Jefferson revealed that the version of the Asgardian god used in this game will be Thor as drawn by Olivier Coipel in the latest comic series. Update: Now with video! %Gallery-98120%
Thor and Amaterasu descend into Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Marvel.com seems to have accidentally revealed two more Marvel vs. Capcom 3 characters ahead of time. Character art and screenshots depicting Thor and Okami's Amaterasu appeared in Marvel.com's gallery for the game, though it seems to have been taken down since. However, because sites like Omega-Level saved the images, and because you can see one in this very post, and because the Thor character art remains in Marvel's gallery at this moment, it doesn't really take much faith to believe in these two gods. We'll probably learn more details during tomorrow's MvC3 Comic-Con panel.
Choose My Adventure: A moment of silence
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). Those of you who have listened to my Robinemia streams may remember a couple times when Thor joined us by meowing for attention and keeping my lap warm. He has now gone to the great kitty playland in the sky, where he can chase lizards and eat tuna forever. And now that I've completely bummed you out, here is the rest of this week's schedule: Anne Stickney as Annephora, the level 41 troll warrior, will be on Friday at 1 a.m. EDT (which is Thursday at 11 p.m. Zangarmarsh time) Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the level 22 blood elf paladin: Friday, 8 p.m. EDT Michael Sacco as Sahko, the orc warlock; Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, the level 15 blood elf warlock; Elizabeth Harper as Faience, the level 24 troll shaman; Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the level 17 troll mage; Michael Gray as Grayfields, the level 17 tauren hunter; and Gregg Reece as Sandwichdoc, the level 13 troll shaman, will be making appearances as they can. Turn the page for some lighthearted stories from Sandwichdoc and Foxlight.
Sega confirms Thor game for 2011
Sega today reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to creating game tie-ins to Marvel's (will-be) Avengers flicks. Following its recent pair of Iron Man games and The Incredible Hulk, Sega will launch Thor: The Video Game across major platforms next year -- and almost certainly around the release of the Thor film, due out May 6, 2011. (Marvel previously pegged the Thor game for May.) The Thor games will be forged into three experiences: A God of War-type third-person adventure, featuring "tide-turning elemental powers" and "25 foot tall, 12 ton Ice Trolls," is in development for PS3 and Xbox 360; while the Wii version will add a twist -- and a hammer smash, presumably -- with its motion controls, in addition to taking on a "uniquely styled comic book look" (read: not in HD) that it will share with the PSP iteration. Finally, the DS Thor game will be presented as a 2D side-scrolling adventure and feature its own narrative, distinct from the other versions. No word from Sega on the Captain America game yet; though the movie's still on for next July, and Sega's got the game rights. [Image credit: Thor (2011 film) publicity photo; via LA Times]
StarCraft II Collector's Edition to include WoW vanity pet
Blizzard has just recently announced StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty's collector's edition. Normally this isn't something we would talk about here on WoW.com, but the contents make it worth mentioning. Specifically, WoW players will receive a Thor mini-pet, seen to the right. For those of you who don't follow StarCraft at all, the Thor is a new ubermech unit for the Terran faction. It's not only voice acted by Chris Metzen, but the pilot of the unit is based directly off him. One of his old aliases is Thundergod, after all. The Thor is big and it's bad-ass, and that's about all that you need to know. I wonder if it will interact with Grunty and the Zergling? BigDownload has the full scoop on the contents of the collector's edition. There's great value there, even for people who don't play WoW. The collector's edition also includes a 2GB flash drive made to resemble Jimmy Raynor's dog tags, a 172-page art book, a behind the scenes DVD and more.
Thor and Captain America games due in 2011
It wasn't clear when Sega would be bringing its previously announced Thor and Captain America games to market, though we assumed they'd arrive alongside the films starring the iconic characters. Marvel has confirmed our suspicions in an earnings report this morning, saying that Thor and Cap will come to consoles in May and July of 2011 respectively, the same points they're set to appear on the big screen. Since we know practically nothing about these games, we decided that, in true internet fashion, this would be the absolute best time to pick which one is better. Excelsior! %Poll-36410%
Disney's Marvel buyout won't affect Sega superhero games
Yesterday's news that Disney was buying Marvel Entertainment to the toon tune of $4 billion raised questions about games based on the comic book powerhouse's licenses. One of these has been answered by Sega, which is currently working on three announced Marvel tie-ins: Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America. The word from on top? "At this time there are no changes to Sega's existing licensing agreement for [those] videogame titles," Sega told GI.biz. In addition, the publisher indicated that it would be teaming with Disney and Marvel (Misney? Darvel?) on "future ventures." One thing at a time, folks ... one thing at a time. It's probably best to focus on the here and now; after all, we all remember how the first Iron Man game turned out.
WotLK bestiary presents the Jormungar
The official WoTLK bestiary has been updated yet again with another of the creatures we'll be meeting in Northrend. This time, we're introduced to the Jormungar, a race of massive worms with sharp teeth capable of boring through solid rock. Apparently, they were used by the Nerubians as slave labor to hew out their massive subterranean empire. However, when that empire fell to the Scourge, the Jormungar broke free, and now run rampant, drilling through the permafrost and destroying everything in their path. It seems likely that the worms themselves are named after the Norse mythological figure Jormungandr, a child of the trickster god Loki, also known as the the World Serpent who surrounds the Earth. In the end times of Ragnarok, he will kill Thor (although Thor will kill him first). Now really, you know that anything bad enough to kill Thor himself is something you have to take notice of, so if these Jormungar are even half as strong as their namesake, it looks like we could have a lot of trouble with them. Maybe we should look to the old massive sandworm Ouro (whose name is likely a homage to another mythical serpent, the Ouroboros), to give us some idea of what we might be facing. [via MMO Champion]
Too Human video: Thor smash!
GameTrailers has posted a new trailer from the upcoming Silicon Knights hack and slash, Too Human. There is no gameplay feature. However, what it lacks in gameplay, it makes for it with Thor. As the Norse god of thunder, Thor has something of a temper, which is fairly evident in the video. Watch as Baldur and Thor search for the doorway to the serpent's lair. We hate to spoil it for anyone, but let's just say that if you're the god Thor and you carry a giant hammer, you can make doors.
Forum Post of the Day: Pray for the warlocks
Sure, QQing can get old after a while, but as long as you do it creatively, a good whine is always welcomed. That's why this forum thread, offering up prayers in many religions for Warlocks after their troubles with Lifetap, is so funny. Yeah, it's Warlocks whining -- they've been doing that for a long time. But it's Warlocks whining in a creative and interesting way, so that makes it much better.Who knows what deity might encourage Blizzard to lift the nerfs for good and bless us all with buffs aplenty? We don't know it's Jesus, St. St. Maximilian Mary Kolber (the patron saint of addicts), Jebus, Thor, Sargeras (for the Legion!), or Buddha, pretty much the only recourse left to save your class from debilitating nerfs is just to pray (or meditate, if you'd rather do that) as hard as you can.Thanks, rjvv!
Marvel Universe Online: how would it have worked?
Here's a question I haven't heard anyone ask. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Marvel Comics geek; I know what both MODOK and AIM stand for; I remember Wolverine from when he wore those silly little eye-wings and whiskers on his mask; heck, I recall Nick Fury heading up the Howling Commandos. So I was pretty excited to hear about the Marvel Universe MMO. I had fantasies of playing as my favorite character (Adam Warlock, in case anyone's interested) until I realized that the game couldn't possibly work that way.Think on it for a second: how many players would want to be Gambit, or the Hulk, or the Punisher? If even just two people, then there's a problem with identity. Even if you were to get around the problem with a suffix, i.e., Punisher213, then the brand has been diluted, and it no longer means anything. So, how would this MMO have worked?
Sega gathers up more Marvel superheroes
Sega, I love ya and I hate ya. Nights on the Wii? Come on, the SIXAXIS would work too -- look at flOw. Also, why no traditional Phantasy Star? Why are you pooing all over the Sonic franchise? At least you're not cutting any corners on the Virtua Fighter 5 front. SEGA, you seem to cater to the fighting enthusiast. Dreamcast was a great arcade fighter system -- their arcade stick (whatever its name was) was arguably the best ever. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is still in my white box.Marvel understands this and continues its relationship with Sega by giving them three more superhero names to utilize: The Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Captain America. Sega already has an Iron Man game in the works, probably to follow the upcoming film's adventure with Tony Stark. Iron Man is Tony Stark, right? Or is my memory rapidly melting away into reality? We can expect most of these games to coincide with their respective films, but maybe we'll get treated to one with a unique story. Who knows? ...The Shadow knows. Awful.
SEGA bringing Marvel's Hulk, Iron Man, Thor and Captain America to games
Superhero games are nothing new, but like comic movies, the games seem to be of a higher quality lately. With that in mind, SEGA has announced a deal with Marvel to bring games featuring their beloved characters to PC, next-gen consoles and handhelds. But what can I say that SEGA PR can't say better? Here's what SEGA US president Simon Jeffery said:"As SEGA continues to create more games that are built from the ground up to appeal to Western audiences it makes perfect sense to work with a powerhouse company like Marvel that has established and beloved characters like The Incredible Hulk, Captain America, and Thor. These are icons that people are already familiar with and love, so our goal is to give gamers the ability to play out their fantasies by actually becoming these Super Heroes."I think I'm personally looking forward to a Thor game the most, if for only because he hasn't hit the gaming space quite as often as the other heroes. How about you? Which of these Marvel characters would you most like to play with on your PSP?[Via IGN]
Sega picks up rights to Hulk, Captain America, Thor
A limited number of the Avengers assemble! It may lack the punch of the standard battle cry, but it seems to be the one on Sega's lips as they add The Hulk, Thor and Captain America to their character roster. What unites these three characters? Are there a handful of designers at Sega with a bold vision to bring these favorites to life on consoles ... or could it be that all three are the subject of forthcoming blockbuster films? Well, Reuters says that Sega's already got a team on The Hulk in anticipation of the June 2008 film starring Edward Norton, if that helps narrow it down. Sega is already creating an Iron Man game internally for consoles in conjunction with the Robert Downy Jr. flick due out next year and Reuters reports that the game is being made "using next-generation technology," so it should be an instant classic. We're anxious to see what Sega does with the heroes, but allow us to make one small suggestion: Wiimote + Thor's hammer = funtastic. That's all we're saying.
VC Friday: It's all about Sega
Well, if you just happen to be in Europe and are nursing an irrational hatred of Sega (hey, who knows?), then this is not the week for you. Just forget about the Virtual Console and go cycling through the countryside. If, on the other hand, you happen to be a big Sega fan, then rejoice! This one's for you, cause it's all about the Mega Drive.Out today on the VC:Sonic Spinball -- 800 Wii pointsThe Story of Thor -- 800 Wii pointsVectorman -- 800 Wii pointsWill you be dropping large blocks of Wii points on any of these, or will you take a pass?
Metareview - Marvel Ultimate Alliance
The ongoing debate over which superhero universe reigns supreme may never be settled, but Marvel Comics is looking like the clear winner in the gaming space with Activision's release of Marvel Ultimate Alliance. There's no Incredible Hulk (he's in Vivendi's game), but just about everyone else from the House of Ideas makes an appearance, which amounts to at least 20 playable characters on each platform. Where Ultimate Alliance really shines over Justice League Heroes is in the stronger focus on teamwork, not to mention a more impressive cast of villains. <Your team name here>, assemble! Game Informer (93/100) likes the new transparent rejuvenation system: "In this game, you no longer need to stock potions. When an enemy is slain, there's a chance that the fallen will gift you with a cluster of healing orbs that automatically zoom to your character. This change not only removes the clunky system of healing, it makes you feel more like a hero. Your focus is always on the battlefield, not a meter." GamePro (90/100) appreciates the challenging enemy AI: "The major boss battles are head and shoulders above anything you've seen in the past. The roster of villains changes with such frequency that you never get a chance to get sick of them. Stronger ones boast talents like healing and immunity to certain attacks, while others carry shields that force your active crew of four to work as a team." TeamXbox (88/100) was dazzled by the production quality: "The opening cinematic by Blur Studios is perhaps the finest I have witnessed in a videogame...but it's worth mentioning that the in-game footage cut scenes by Raven are no slouches either. Raven's in-game work is really nice too. Characters all have that comic book look, but have been updated to have their own edge. The backgrounds are just as sweet, flexing a bunch of post-production effects and lots of animations."
Joystiq hands-on: Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
After previewing Call of Duty 3 and seeing the trailer for Flags of our Fathers for the umpteenth time, we wanted a diversion from the battlefields. Returning to Activision in search of something that would allow us to shed our daily mundane identities and to become heroes that weren't dressed in fatigues, we encountered our friend the receptionist again, still holding a grudge from our earlier victory. She led us into a dark room that had the villainous look of a secret lair. We had entered the realm of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.The green glow of Xbox 360 rings of light around the room looked like laser-activated booby traps, but we managed to evade them and press on. After a short briefing we were off to hand pick our four fellow heroes. You pick from tons of playable characters, although some of them are unlocked as you explore areas and find more heroes. Putting The Thing, Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, and the Human Torch on our team got us a Fantastic Four bonus (it was a no-brainer, we admit it), but we couldn't figure out any of the other combinations. We spied Deadpool and Spider-Woman on the Wii version -- which are probably the two unique characters that only the next-gen systems will be serving up. There is an extremely Nick Fury-esque shoulder holster on one of the silhouetted locked characters, and our fingers are itching to play the cigar-chomping, insult-hurling leader of the Howling Commandos.
Ultimate Alliance producer interviewed
UGO recently interviewed Activision producer Matthew Paul to get some background details on Marvel Ultimate Alliance. Paul discussed the creative process he and Marvel games writer C. B. Cebulski used to craft the Alliance plot, and also talked about how the reworked X-Men Legends technology allows for a greater range of combat moves. Look for alternate costumes and unique gameplay with the Wii controller when Alliance ships in October.
