City of Heroes II: The Marvel Universe [update 1]
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Sep 27th 2006 at 5:55PM }
Looks like Marvel and Cryptic Studios not only buried the hatchet, but got all snuggly and close during their courtroom time together. Now they are ready to make a baby with the aid of Dr. Microsoft.
Microsoft and Marvel Entertainment officially confirmed today that Cryptic Studios (City of Heroes, City of Villains) will develop Marvel Universe Online, an MMO for the Xbox 360 and Windows Vista. Whether Marvel Universe Online will work cross-platform, Director of the Game Development Group at Microsoft Scott Henson says, "We haven't confirmed that yet, but that is certainly an option."
Although Henson hasn't confirmed it, the press release on Cryptic Studios site says, "Marvel Universe Online will unite gamers in a cross-platform experience, allowing for Xbox 360 and Windows Vista users to play alongside one another."
Michael Lewis, president of Cryptic Studios says, "Cryptic Studios and Microsoft share a common vision for online gaming and commitment to quality titles. Together we will create a new exciting game that captures the uniqueness of the Marvel IP."
Translation: It'll be nice to make an updated version of City of Heroes without Marvel breathing down our necks trying to sue us. Oh, and it's great to have the support of Microsoft.
It's only a matter of time now before Sony Online Entertainment officially announces details regarding their upcoming DC comics based MMO.
[update 1] Added cross-platform information
[Thanks Matt]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
32_Footsteps @ Sep 27th 2006 6:01PM
You know what the problem with the Marvel license will be, though?
Either you're going to be allowed to recreate and play as your favorite heroes - meaning that you're going to be dealing with 30% of them playing Spider-Man, 30% playing Wolverine, 30% playing Punisher, 5% ripping off some other character, and 5% original ideas.
Or you're not going to be allowed to play as your favorites, resulting in 90% of the customer base bitching about how they can't be Spidey, the Punisher, or Wolverine.
... Yeah, City of Heroes looks just fine to me.
devian @ Sep 27th 2006 6:03PM
I'd be interested in the DC MMO, but SOE is to MMO as Uwe Boll is to movies. They both make dumb fucking decisions, and never admit it in the end.
Cage @ Sep 27th 2006 6:50PM
You know what the problem is with your thinking 13 Footsteps, though?
THE GAME WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY. Are you in their programming department or know how the game will work? How can you be bitching at this point of the process. You havent even seen artwork to the game yet! Please...wait...at...least...until...we...see...something.
Gavin @ Sep 27th 2006 6:59PM
I'm a off again, on again COH/COV player and this is just about the best news I've heard all week. Cryptic has proven to me again and again that they KNOW comics as well as online gaming, so I expect good things from the partnering. The lawsuits were pretty pathetic on Marvel's part and I'm glad to see that somebody over there has come to their senses.
I seriously doubt that this will turn me into a Vista early adopter, but it certainly does make me more interested in getting a 360 sometime in the future.
plaidspeed @ Sep 27th 2006 7:03PM
I'm just hoping I can rein in my hopes and expectations for this game. After all, I've been waiting for this game ever since I read my first comic book...
Steve Roger @ Sep 27th 2006 7:09PM
First, I agree with Footsteps and it is not too early to express these concerns. What he is saying has long been said when discussing these types of games' licenses. After all, devian, don't remember Star Wars Galaxies. I remember how stupid it was to have a million wookies running about that were just slight variation of Chewy. So, if you don't mind me saying my opinion, devian, I really don't want to play a game wear there are 100 different Spideys running around. You know, a fat squat one, a tall skinny one, one with a black costume one with a cape, DO YOU GET THE PICTURE NOW.
Second, I am not thrilled with COH creators being in charge. The trouble with that model is that it was boring way too soon and combat was weak. Further, I really did not like the look of the game in general. I do agree that their comic was good. But they did not achieve what they set out to do which was to create a world with people in it. Rather, it was a lot of running around with few people or things to interact with and having to complete boring fetch it fight them fetch levels.
So, if they can substantially change their in game graphics (their cuts scenes were awesome) I might buy in. Otherwise, it is just another boring MMO.
Nice comments Footsteps!
32_Footsteps @ Sep 27th 2006 7:10PM
Who the hell is 13 Footsteps? You're 19 generations shy.
And you know what? I account for both ways Marvel can go. It really will either be fanboys whining about playing their favorite characters or a legion of fanboys playing their favorite character. Pardon me for being cynical.
Wild Homes @ Sep 27th 2006 7:11PM
I'm excited about this because I think the Marvel roster is much better than the DC roster. DC has, in my opinion, two great characters in Batman and Superman, to Marvel's Spiderman, Punisher, X-Men, Captain America, FF, Iron Man, Hulk... man. it's going to be great, provided they don't goof the game's execution.
by the way, whatever happened to Konami doing the DS Marvel VS game?
Nate @ Sep 27th 2006 7:31PM
Sounds good...but I'm really looking forward to Marvel: Ultimate Alliance first....
The villains in that game have me real excited....Dr. Doom, Fin Fang Foom, Loki, Galactus....
Can't wait.
JimJimBinks @ Sep 27th 2006 7:35PM
If Sony does a DC MMO I'm sure Joel Schumacher will be involved in some capacity.
Rubber nipples and Neon FTL
daxter1985 @ Sep 27th 2006 8:33PM
hopefully there will be 2 different factions 1 evil side consisting of all the marvel baddies and one good side consisting of all the marvel good guys
devian @ Sep 27th 2006 8:52PM
"After all, devian, don't remember Star Wars Galaxies. I remember how stupid it was to have a million wookies running about that were just slight variation of Chewy. So, if you don't mind me saying my opinion, devian, I really don't want to play a game wear there are 100 different Spideys running around."
Uhh, Steve Rogers? if you actually read my comment, and have any readin comprehension, I was simply stating that a DC Comic MMO is interesting, but SOE will screw it up somehow.
Jonn @ Sep 27th 2006 9:08PM
Does this mean we'll be able to play through a poorly-written political-metaphor megacrossov-I mean, *plot line* with major characters' alliances seemingly determined by someone throwing a dart at a wall?
If so, I'm so there.
the_game_master @ Sep 27th 2006 10:05PM
I sort of shock by this announcement seeing the bull Marvel put NC though. But didn't NC ended up winning the cases anyway :D. Marvel did announce their own MMO but they must of came to their senses that no body would buy it fearing like what Footsteps wrote.
I think if NC wants to make this a success, they should they should make this CoH2 a upgrade, allowing current CoH users to keep their created characters and be able to play them in the new game along side Marvel heroes.
JimJimBinks @ Sep 28th 2006 12:07AM
If there's a Villains expansion, can I play as Galactus and eat the server?
The ZeroCorpse @ Sep 28th 2006 12:43AM
This is good news, as long as the game isn't too much like COH, because COH can get pretty boring in the grind. Kill baddies, level up, kill baddies, level up, etc.
I want an MMORPG that focuses on the ROLE PLAYING part.
Fleecebeast @ Sep 28th 2006 12:54AM
Regardless of the actual story details, MAD props for using the cover image from the official Marvel pen-and-paper RPG from way back! Hooo boy, I can't believe that anybody else had that. Man, I loved that game.
Steve Roger @ Sep 28th 2006 1:01AM
SORRY DEVIAN!!!!!!!!!! I FUCKED UP!!!!! I SHOULD HAVE SAID I DISAGREED WITH CAGE NOT YOU.
Really, I am really sorry. You did nothing wrong and everything I said was based on Cage's comment. Some how I switched your names, Cage is below you.
Man, I am sorry. I wish I could edit it. I will be more careful next time.
Again, my apologies.
JJ @ Sep 28th 2006 1:22AM
Well ZC i wouldnt expect too much, outside of story driven quests and what not, its hard to incorporate a lot into an MMO that doesn't revolve around leveling up.
Which is why i loved SWG back in the day because they provided a lot of tools for the community to work with to create they're OWN content to a degree.
But unfortunately there'll never bea true form MMO RPG in a sense where it doesn't have something to do with leveling up unless its just a SIms online or what not game.
and with this game being about superheros i can pretty much guarantee it's gonna revolve around combat.
JJ @ Sep 28th 2006 1:25AM
Personally i've liked msot of SOE's online games, I loved SWG until they changed it to make it more star warsy... but then that was Lucas arts decision as they hold controlling interest in the game.
EQ 2 and EQ were fun as well, as was planetside.
and the new game Vanguard looks pretty sweet by Brad Mcquad. ( i know i spelled that wrong).
So ehre's to hoping a great future for MMO's on next gen platforms. (as long as we get a keyboard and maybe mouse option to boot!)
LaughingTarget @ Sep 28th 2006 8:12AM
I wouldn't expect much out of Vanguard, JJ. McQuaid has stated before that he hates quests and likes to design his games around grinding. This is why EverQuest had quests (they needed to put in questing to justify the name), but doing them always resulted in the player being poorly equipped to handle later level stuff.
KR @ Sep 28th 2006 10:02AM
"15. If there's a Villains expansion, can I play as Galactus and eat the server?" Comment of the week.
Personally, I hope you can create reasonable facimilies of characters from other companies. How much ass would it kick to see Plastic Man or Groo or Savage Dragon or or Powdered Toast Man going around beating the crap out of the entire Avengers roster?
OddsBodkins @ Sep 28th 2006 10:58AM
Fingers crossed that the game doesn't blow.
Another *thumbs up* on using the cover art for the old TSR's Advanced Marvel Super Heroes RPG. FASERIP!
Steve Cornelius @ Oct 9th 2006 8:06AM
I'd like to see a MMO that makes it virtually impossible to be power leveled and discourages doing the same thing over and over, while having more than enough content. Every time I see people grinding or being power leveled I think "So you leave your boring repetetive humdrum real life to have a boring repetetive humdrum virtual life. Aren't you missing the point?"
Rickey Williams @ Nov 10th 2006 8:42AM
I hope that the graphics arent freaking copies of heroes kinda like how marvel ultimate alliance was basically just an exact copy of xmen legends I know u all thougt so just a lil different stuff it bored me they better make Marvel universe online unique thats why I am scared about cryptic doing it, The confusing part in this is why buy a marvel game people when u cant play as marvel characters cause we all know u and everyone all thought of that when u saw the trailor dont lie. newayz and also if u can pick ur character it would suck if u can only be the only wolverine in a server also if u could ick peeps what if there were 1000 wolverines change the graphics, bigger world, better role playing aspect conrol scheme, fights powers, abilities and it wont be so bad as creating ur own charcater with marvel people