Marvel Universe Online

Infobox VG| title = Marvel Universe Online


developer = Cryptic Studios
publisher = Microsoft Game Studios
designer = Cryptic Studios
engine =
released = Cancelled cite web
last=Totilo
first=Stephen
title=Why Marvel MMO Was Canceled
date=February 11, 2008
accessdate=2008-02-17
work=MTV Multiplayer
url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/02/11/microsofts-shane-kim-on-fable-2-why-marvel-mmo-was-canceled-and-more/]
genre = Role-Playing, Fighting, Strategy
modes = Multiplayer
ratings =
platforms = Xbox 360, PC (Windows Vista)
media =
requirements =
input =

"Marvel Universe Online" was the previous working title of "Champions Online". The MMO game was developed by Cryptic Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios exclusively for Microsoft Windows Vista and Xbox 360 platforms using a license from Marvel. [cite news | title = Marvel Entertainment and Cryptic Studios Unveil 'Marvel Universe Online'| url = http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060927005793&newsLang=en| format = HTML| publisher = Business Wire| date = 2006-09-27| accessdate = 2006-09-27]

IGN stated that Marvel Universe Online would take history from 60 years of Marvel Comics as well as integrate current events in the comic books for the next five to ten years.

However, the project was changed on Feb. 11, 2008 due to what a Microsoft spokesperson referred to as "an inability to compete" with the current MMO marketplace. [cite web | url= http://comics.ign.com/articles/736/736434p1.html|title= The Marvel Universe Evolves Online: What to expect from Marvel's first MMO|accessdate= 2006-10-02|last= Goldstein|first= Hilary|date= 2006-09-28|format= HTML|publisher= IGN] Less than a week later, Cryptic Studios announced that development would continue using a new IP license of The Champions (Hero Universe), a superhero-based role playing game.

Trailer

A teaser trailer had been released to promote the game, showing off statue-like images of various Marvel characters, but without any shown game-play footage. The visible characters in the trailer are Apocalypse, Captain America, Cyclops, Daredevil, Doctor Doom, Doctor Octopus, Nick Fury, Galactus, the Hulk, Magneto, Nightcrawler, the Punisher, Quicksilver, a Sentinel, Spider-Man, the Thing, Uatu, and Wolverine. [cite web
title = Marvel Universe Online Trailer
publisher = Cryptic Studios
url = http://www.crypticstudios.com/movies/Marvel_Universe_Online.wmv
format = WMV
accessdate =2008-01-16]

Cancellation

Confirmation of the project's cancellation arrived on February 11, 2008, although rumors of the possible cancellation had existed since at least November of the previous year.cite journal | last=Fear | first=Ed | title=Marvel Universe canned? | journal=Develop | url=http://www.developmag.com/news/28806/Marvel-Universe-canned | date=November 15, 2007 | accessdate=2008-02-17 ] Shane Kim, the head of Microsoft Games Studios, stated in an interview that the cancellation was primarily due to the competitive market for subscription-based MMOs, and that while one current MMO was successful, "everything else wouldn’t meet our level or definition of commercial success".

"Game Informer" reported that an anonymous source revealed to them that Microsoft and Marvel had disagreements regarding the licensing of Marvel characters, which led to the cancellation."Game Informer", March 2008, Issue 79, p. 58]

Cryptic Studios have since announced that they are working on "Champions Online", another superhero-based MMO, which used assets from the cancelled Marvel title.cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6186008.html
title=Cryptic bringing Champions Online to PCs, consoles |provider=GameSpot
accessdate=2008-02-15 |date=2008-02-13 |author=Tor Thorsen]

Industry response

In response to the cancellation, David Perry expressed surprise at the decision to cancel the project, believing that the Marvel brand was a viable potential competitor in the MMO market.cite journal | last=Welsh | first=Oli | title=Perry "stunned" by Marvel Universe cancellation | journal=Eurogamer | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=92715 | date=February 14, 2008 | accessdate=2008-02-17 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.crypticstudios.com/ Cryptic Studios] , "Developers of Marvel Universe Online"