1UP reveals the game they think has been cancelled

[GarthVaderUK]

Is Marvel Universe Online Dead?
Microsoft's latest stab at a console MMO appears in serious trouble.

Alan Wake, Banjo-Kazooie, Halo Wars and Too Human are all fine. However, 1UP has been told the Marvel, Microsoft and Cryptic Studios collaboration, Marvel Universe Online, has hit serious, potentially stalling, development troubles. Though the MMO hasn't been outright canceled publicly just yet -- albeit a move Microsoft hasn't had an issue with before, says True Fantasy Live Online from beyond the grave -- our word from the inside, combined with recent controversies surrounding the studio behind the game, raises serious suspicion.

Last week, NCSoft announced it had acquired the City of Heroes IP from Cryptic Studios. Additionally, the staff behind the franchise -- approximately 15% of Cryptic -- was moving to Mountain View, CA and opening a new studio to operate within the NCSoft umbrella. During and following the announcement, no comment was made about the status of Marvel Universe Online. Curious, then, when we heard the game's status was in danger and contacted Microsoft for an update on the game's progress. Given there's been nothing new about Marvel Universe Online (outside of bringing comics writer John Layman on board in July) since an October 2006 with IGN, it's not exactly a bizarre question.

"We have nothing new to share about Marvel Universe Online," said a Microsoft spokesperson. Pressed further about whether the changes within Cryptic had affected the game, Microsoft was no more forthcoming. "Cryptic's recent sale of the City of Heroes IP to NCSoft has no bearing on the development of "Marvel Universe Online," continued the spokesperson.

Of course, that doesn't really answer the question of whether the game's canceled. An inquiry specifically passed to Cryptic about the game's status has so far been ignored.

Reading between the lines of interviews conducted with Cryptic following the City of Heroes news are telling. Despite Marvel Universe Online being the only title Cryptic has publicly revealed to be in development, they've yet to make any mention of the project, instead focusing attention towards to-be-revealed future announcements. "The decision to sell the franchise allows us to focus resources on our soon to be announced first-party projects," said Cryptic President and co-founder Michael Lewis in the NCSoft sale's press release.

What about Marvel Universe Online, Mike? The studio's own FAQ about transitioning City of Heroes from Cryptic to NCSoft strangely ignores the game.

"What's next for Cryptic Studios? Cryptic is developing new titles and new IPs, as well as expanding its business interests. We have a talented team of game developers and technicians, and a large part of our motivatation [sic] for this move was to free up resources for our future projects. With these new projects we will challenge ourselves to make even better and more immersive MMO games. Stay tuned!"

And in an interview MMO blog Ten Ton Hammer, Lewis again ignored a question invoking Marvel Universe Online. You'd expect a studio head to at least tease about a project ambitious (and exciting) as Marvel Universe Online, yet Lewis seems content ignoring the game's very existence (or lack thereof).

Boomjack: Is there any concern that your former customers will feel"abandoned," harming potential sales of Marvel Universe Online?

Michael Lewis: We think Cryptic has a pretty good reputation with both the City of Heroes and City of Villains communities. In many ways both games are like children going off to college - we created them and raised them, but now even though they are not our responsibility anymore we still want what is best for them in the future. We worked cooperatively with NCsoft to create a smooth transition for all CoH/CoV users, and the fact that we worked closely with them to keep the entire CoH development team intact and with the project attests to our desire to provide our players with the best possible experience.

Is Marvel Universe Online dead? If not, it's certainly in serious trouble if no one involved -- publisher or developer -- can state anything as simple as "it's still coming." As already mentioned, Microsoft hasn't had an aversion to canceling MMOs well into development; True Fantasy Live Online was apparently near completion when the plug was pulled from the ambitious Level 5 online title for Xbox. Microsoft Game Studios head Shane Kim told EGM the title was doing fine just few weeks before the game was publicly canned.

Will that be the same case with Marvel Universe MMO? Time will tell, but if you're privy to what's happening and feel like sharing, you can always drop us a line.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3164355

Well there you go, Shane was talking about the Marvel MMO as some of us thought.

[skulpt]

Well, the pieces seem to fit. And what's interesting is that NCsoft was working on a PS3 exclusive MMO.

Brian

[CushVA]

Um, yawn? When was the last time we heard anything about this? X06 (when it was announced) ? If this is it, I could care less.

[majin]

Well, the pieces seem to fit. And what's interesting is that NCsoft was working on a PS3 exclusive MMO.

Brian

even more so then that, they had a deal to bring some existing NCSOFT franchises over to the ps3 and some new IP's.

[JIM HALPERT 88]

Doesn't sound like too big of a loss. Haven't talked to anyone who was looking forward to this game. At least the others are safe.

[Byoushinn]

yeah if i remember NCsoft went ps3 exclusive - or at least had some deal
I'm pretty sure the mmorpg Angel Love online is an NCsoft title being released soon on the japanese psnetwork.

[Carsonal]

There was a Marvel MMO? .

[Majinvagitta]

they did say 'big' game, didnt they?

[Versa]

I thought they said ' big ' game? I couldn't care less about that ****.

[SnakeDevil]

they did say 'big' game, didnt they?

Depends on what your interpretation of the word 'big' is :P

[CushVA]

I thought they said ' big ' game? I couldn't care less about that ****.

well, this is Shane we're talking about. He's the one who said that DMC4 was a PS3 Exclusive and would be never be released on the 360. I think he also said something about how the 360 version of RE5 would be dropped as well.

[Stars2099]

well maybe not for you guys, but im a comic book geek and i was torn between 360 and ps3 cause im a marvel man, but the marvel mmo was 360 only and DC mmo was ps3. but for me this is good news cause maybe there is a chance the marvel mmo comes to ps3!

[NeverNight]

Glad it's that title and not any of the others. Like Alan Wake, I was starting to have nightmares that it was cancelled.

[dhav211]

Kind of thought this was going to say Banjo Kazooie 3 or whatever it's called. But yeah when ever that game is released, I'm buying whatever console it's on. Loved the first two and haven't played a Rare game since Star Fox Adventures.