Marvel Heroes MMO Is Diablo But With Superheroes

Unlike SOE's DC Universe Online, Marvel Entertainment is taking a surprising approach to the MMO genre with the upcoming release of Marvel Heroes. Using Epic's Unreal Engine 3, the game will be Diablo-like in appearance with its isometric view, but offer the free to play model with in-game item purchasing.

"Marvel Heroes marks a new era in gaming for us," stated TQ Jefferson, Vice President of Games at Marvel. "For fans to actually become their favorite heroes in an original storyline, explore iconic Marvel landscapes and combat some of the most dangerous villains in a shared experience is unbelievably compelling."

Marvel Heroes is currently in development at Gazillion Entertainment and features a storyline penned by Brian Michael Bendis, author of Ultimate Spider-ManNew AvengersSecret Invasion and others. The storyline is inspired by some of the more popular stores in the Marvel Universe, the developer said.

According to Gazillion, player characters will be based on popular heroes including Iron Man, Thor, Storm. Black Widow, and even some of the lesser known heroes like Cable and Squirrel Girl. Players will use the base model to customize their own character by altering the costume, selecting powers from a specific skill set, adding items and more.

"In the game’s social areas, including Midtown Manhattan and the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, players can meet up with other players, discover missions, and buy items from legendary Marvel characters," Gazillion said on Tuesday. "While pursuing missions, players will explore such famous Marvel landscapes as the Savage Land, Hell’s Kitchen and Mutant Town."

So far other characters listed on the Marvel Heroes roster includes Deadpool, Wolverine, Captain America, Spider-Man, Thing, Ms. Marvel, Cyclops and The Hulk. The roster will eventually consist of Marvel's more than 8,000 superheroes and villains.

"I've been a big Marvel fan for all of my life," said David Brevik, President of Gazillion Entertainment and creator of PC games Diablo and Diablo 2.  "Marvel Heroes represents the combination of Marvel IP with all of the knowledge and experience I gained creating Diablo."

That said, expect Marvel Heroes to feature the energy of an action role-playing game combined with the breadth and immersion of the MMO genre. However so far there's no word on a release date, so stay tuned.

Update: Marvel Heroes will not be making an appearance next month at E3 2012, but will instead make its first public debut at San Diego Comic-Con in July.

  • beetlejuicegr
    oh not bad, looking forward to beta test it ^^
    Reply
  • hp79
    Free to play is always good. I'm tired of Diablo 3 starter edition. All characters stuck at level 13, and $60 is too much. I hope it's a better game too.
    Reply
  • megamanx00
    I just want Wolverine thxkby
    Reply
  • doorspawn
    A game style I don't care about set in a universe I don't care about using a distribution mechanic I don't care about - all because each is so dumb & lazy.

    I've yet to see an RPG that requires brainpower or rewards skill.
    Marvel is so cookie-cutter, even if they did play a large part in designing the cookie. Then again, they've never been remotely intellectual.
    Online F2P: Hooking the easily addicted masses and draining many of their wallets via effortless pay to win.

    Very yuck :)
    Reply
  • Pherule
    So:
    Thor = Barbarian
    Storm = Wizard / Sorceress
    Iron Man = Wizard / Demon Hunter crossover
    Squirrel Girl = Witch Doctor

    eheheheh
    Reply
  • blubbey
    doorspawnA game style I don't care about set in a universe I don't care about using a distribution mechanic I don't care about - all because each is so dumb & lazy.No-one is forcing you to play it or even take note of it.
    I've yet to see an RPG that requires brainpower or rewards skill.If it required actual skill (which brings up another question of 'what is skill?'), then it probably would be in favour of those who have the better ping, which doesn't take skill.

    Skill - like WoW? Is remembering abilities of many classes and knowing when to use certain abilities skill? Is communication a skill? Is countering/beating a counter skill? Is having better equipment skill? Is awareness and foresight skill? Positioning?

    If you could define 'skill', that'd be great.

    Marvel is so cookie-cutter, even if they did play a large part in designing the cookie. Then again, they've never been remotely intellectual.Online F2P: Hooking the easily addicted masses and draining many of their wallets via effortless pay to win.Very yuckYou do realise that it's a business, right? It's about making money. They don't care about your experience or your thoughts or how it plays. If it will make them money, they'll do it. If it won't, they couldn't care less.
    Reply
  • ap3x
    hp79Free to play is always good. I'm tired of Diablo 3 starter edition. All characters stuck at level 13, and $60 is too much. I hope it's a better game too.
    Huh, then you are pretty much stuck. $59.99 is the normal price. 99.9% positive that this game is no different.

    By the way, D3 is fantastic so you should just go ahead a eat the $60. Not many companies continue to support a game for over 5 years with patches, content and updates. Blizzard was still releasing content and updates at the 10 year mark. Not to mention that the Diablo series was always extremely replayable.
    Reply
  • ap3x
    blubbeyNo-one is forcing you to play it or even take note of it.I've yet to see an RPG that requires brainpower or rewards skill.If it required actual skill (which brings up another question of 'what is skill?'), then it probably would be in favour of those who have the better ping, which doesn't take skill.Skill - like WoW? Is remembering abilities of many classes and knowing when to use certain abilities skill? Is communication a skill? Is countering/beating a counter skill? Is having better equipment skill? Is awareness and foresight skill? Positioning?If you could define 'skill', that'd be great.Marvel is so cookie-cutter, even if they did play a large part in designing the cookie. Then again, they've never been remotely intellectual.Online F2P: Hooking the easily addicted masses and draining many of their wallets via effortless pay to win.Very yuckYou do realise that it's a business, right? It's about making money. They don't care about your experience or your thoughts or how it plays. If it will make them money, they'll do it. If it won't, they couldn't care less.
    I have to agree, no skill or brain power involved in playing arpg's or regular rpg's. aRPG's tend to be just good fun. There is some thought put into how you organize your skills and what equipment to use but that is about it. The only additional trait you need for RPG's vs aRPG's is just patience.
    Reply
  • Cy-Kill
    I think they should've just stuck with the MMORPG that was supposed to come out before DCUO, which is what became known as "Champions Online", because Marvel didn't like what they saw, this game however just does not look at all appealing!
    Reply
  • everygamer
    This looks like it is going to be a great game. I am not sure if this initial reaction is due to my pleasure with the Avengers movie combined with how much fun I have been having cutting my way through the first 2 Act's of Diablo 3, but at the end of the day a good comic book video game is a treasure when you find one. So lets just hope the end product lives up to our expectations.

    http://www.everygamer.com/
    Blog about Video Games, Game Development and other geek entertainment.
    Reply