Marvel has recently got back into giving out licence for their huge stable of characters for use in video games again to many different companies. And a lot of them are utilising characters that has now established in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, the developers are not restricted in any way to tie-in back to the MCU.
Speaking with IGN at DICE 2017, Marvel Games Creative Director Bill Rosemann has stated that Marvel is giving free reigns to them to take the projects to other directions.
“We want to give our partners…freedom to look at all of Marvel history and to pick from what interests them. It’s a bit like we’re saying, ‘Hey you’re the chef, you’re going to make this meal. Here’s all of the ingredients. You pick the ingredients that you like and make a new meal,” Rosemann said.
After years of silence, Marvel has started to allow their IPs to be made into games again. Sony and Insominac are workng on a Spider-Man game, Square Enix will be doing an Avengers game spearheaded by Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal, Telltale applying their story-driven adventure games with Guardians Of The Galaxy and Marvel VS Capcom is back with MVC Infinite coming out this year.
To assure the point of the games not tied-in, Rosmann brought up the Spider-Man design that was used in the initial reveal at last year’s E3. From the suit to the logo, the differences it sport from any regular Spider-Man appearance was a deliberate choice.
Plus, this freedom given to the developers will allow them to work with more time rather than be rushed to be released as a tie-in to the movies.
“We’re not going to rush things, we’re not going to get things out before they’re done,” Rosemann said. “We want every game to be game of the year.”
Interesting to see the new direction Marvel is taking now. DC characters found success when the developers have full reign of the story- the Batman Arkham series has been very successful due to this, for example. Let’s hope Marvel can find one as well.