SEGA To Develop Upcoming Marvel Games
SEGA announced today they are teaming up with Marvel to develop games based on the superhero licenses of the Marvel universe, including Captain America, Thor, and Increadible Hulk.
The first title to come from this partnership will be the new Incredible Hulk game based on the upcoming movie starring Edward Norton set to be released in 2008, while games for Thor, Captain America and Iron Man will soon follow after that.
David Maisel, Chairman of Marvel Studios said of the deal: “Video games are an ideal medium to showcase the appeal and excitement of our Super Hero franchises”. “SEGA is one of the industry’s most innovative game developers and we are thrilled to partner with them”.
Here’s hoping they do a better job with the Marvel license than with their own.
SEGA CORPORATION
: April 18, 2007 05:00
Marvel Entertainment and SEGA Partner to Create Captain America, the Incredible Hulk and Thor Video Games
Relationship between Companies Expands and Builds on Previously Announced
Iron Man GameNEW YORK, April 18 /CNW/ - Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:MVL), SEGA(R)
Europe Ltd and SEGA(R) of America, Inc. have expanded their relationship to
include the rights to develop and distribute games inspired by Marvel’s
Hall-of-Fame franchises — Captain America, The Incredible Hulk and Thor.
Through the exclusive, multi-year global licensing agreement, SEGA will create
titles for console, handheld and PC platforms based upon both the classic
comic books and planned feature film adaptations of these world-renowned Super
Heroes. The deal follows Marvel and SEGA’s announcement to create titles based
on Super Hero favorite Iron Man, with both game and film slated to be released
in May 2008.“Video games are an ideal medium to showcase the appeal and excitement of
our Super Hero franchises,” said David Maisel, Chairman, Marvel Studios. “SEGA
is one of the industry’s most innovative game developers and we are thrilled
to partner with them to bring Captain America, The Incredible Hulk and Thor to
the video gaming arena. These franchises represent three of Marvel’s most
popular characters and lend themselves to captivating game play. We have
already seen SEGA’s passion for the Marvel Universe through the early
development of the Iron Man video game, and we look forward to working closely
with them over the next few years to maximize the potential of these
franchises in the interactive entertainment space.”Under the expanded agreement, SEGA will develop a title to be based on
Marvel Studios’ highly-anticipated The Incredible Hulk feature film. Hitting
theaters June 13, 2008, the film will return the larger-than-life Super Hero
to the roots of the long-running comic series and television show with an
all-new action-packed storyline directed by Louis Leterrier (Transporter 2,
Unleashed). The Incredible Hulk video game will be released in the same
timeframe as the film. Games based on Captain America and Thor will follow,
though the timing of those feature film projects, currently in development,
has not yet been determined.“We are excited to broaden our partnership with Marvel, a recognized
leader and innovator in the entertainment industry,” said Simon Jeffery,
President and COO, SEGA of America. “As SEGA continues to create games that
are built from the ground up to appeal to Western audiences it makes perfect
sense to work with a powerhouse like Marvel. Captain America, The Incredible
Hulk and Thor 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. Fans can now not only watch them in movies and
read about them in comic books, but also literally control their actions
through the video games we are creating. We look forward to bringing these
icons to life like never before and putting the power in the hands of the
fans.”For further information on this title please visit www.sega-press.com for
Europe and the SEGA FTP for America at: http://segapr.segaamerica.com.About SEGA(R) Europe Ltd.
SEGA(R) Europe Ltd. is the European Distribution arm of Tokyo,
Japan-based SEGA Corporation, and a worldwide leader in interactive
entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops and
distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of
hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by
Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. SEGA Europe’s web
site is located at www.sega-europe.comAbout SEGA(R) of America, Inc.
SEGA(R) of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA
Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and
outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive
entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including
PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc. SEGA of America’s web site is located at
www.sega.com.About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
(NYSE:MVL) is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment
companies. Marvel’s operations are focused on utilizing its character
franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis
include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action
figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the
creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel’s
strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of
opportunities around the world. For more information visit www.marvel.com.Except for any historical information that they contain, the statements
in this news release regarding Marvel’s plans are forward-looking statements
that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including unexpected
delays in the production of the films mentioned in this news release or that
Marvel may be delayed in meeting its lender’s conditions for funding of those
films. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in Marvel’s
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Marvel’s Annual
Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on
Form 8-K. Marvel assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements.™ & (C): 2007 Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiaries, all rights
reserved. Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.
April 18th, 2007 at 9:11 am
Interesting selections - it makes sense for the Incredible Hulk, who has just been (re)cast as Edward Norton.
But both Captain America and Thor are dead/MIA in the current comic book continuity.
I wonder if Marvel is taking pre-emptive action to keep these characters in the public consciousness - and what’s more - take further steps to make their returns all that more spectacular.
April 18th, 2007 at 9:15 am
@Richard: According to the press release, the purpose of these games are to coincide with the movie releases. So going from that, I’m sure the games won’t have anything to do with the recent stories of the heroes, just the story in the movie.
April 18th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
SEGA To Develop Upcoming Marvel Games…
SEGA announced today they are teaming up with Marvel to develop games based on the superhero licenses of the Marvel universe, including Captain America, Thor, and Incredible Hulk….
April 18th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Richard has a good point though, Thor and Cap are hot properties for Marvel and for this to tie in with the movies and possibly a re-emergence in the strips would be huge news and a big boost for all three properties. Hulk is already the big boy of summer with World War Hulk happening.
April 23rd, 2007 at 6:32 am
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