“We would definitely be open to it,” said Russo when asked if his studio, AGBO, would be open to a game based on Avengers or Amazon series Citadel.

“Right now, what we’re doing is creating new IP,” he continued. “At AGBO, we want to tell new stories. We want to tell new stories with new characters and new worlds that people haven’t seen before. So Anthony and I and Donald are working together to build out new worlds.

“And we have three that we’re currently working on that the intention is, for every world we build to have the scale and depth of a ‘Star Wars‘ universe, but in a different genre. And then we’ll build materials around those new worlds. We’ll tell stories in different ways using different media in those worlds.”

When asked about how the Russo brothers would continue to build out the gaming business at AGBO, especially with the upcoming release of Citadel.

“We have a new partner at the company who is one of the greatest game developers in history, Donald Mustard, he’s the creator of Fortnite, and he’s come in now to work with us on building out what we think the future of storytelling could be, which is, some hybrid between linear and virtual and gaming,” he said. “And we’re really interested in new ways to tell stories using technology.”

“And so the three of us together are trying to explore and ideate around what opportunities there could be over the next decade using new tools and new technology to tell stories and can we make it true transmedia, where the same assets that we’re using for CG in movies are also the same assets that are in the game, that are also the same assets in a virtual experience. And that’s the mission of AGBO currently, at the moment.”

Responding to a question about the platforms the studio would focus on for its games, Anthony Russo said that its approach to development would be similar to how the brothers approach filmmaking.

“We always call ourselves sort of film agnostic, which is, basically, we value all the different forms you can express yourself in linear cinema storytelling,” he said. “The same is true with games. Every idea has a different way that it can best be explored and best be brought to audiences or gamers for an experience. So we really like to tailor everything to the creative idea that we’re exploring, evolving and building upon in terms of how we find an expression for it.”

The first game developed by AGBO will be based on Netflix’s The Electric State, which will be coming to Android and iOS on March 18.

The last major title based on the franchise was Crystal Dynamics’ Marvel’s Avengers. It featured a single-player story mode but also placed quite a bit of emphasis on its co-op multiplayer mode that was structured to be a live-service game.

After a rocky launch and a series of patches that tried to alleviate problems while also bringing new content to the game, Marvel’s Avengers was ultimately delisted back in 2023. Check out our review for the launch version.

That’s as per XboxEra co-founder Nick Baker, who recently claimed on the XboxEra Podcast that Microsoft is attempting to get the licenses renewed for the Xbox One ports of Deadpool and Marvel Ultimate Alliance, both of which were originally published by Activision.

Both titles have, of course, become exceedingly difficult to find in recent years, having been delisted following expired licenses, though given the popularity of the characters in those games, it would make sense that Microsoft may try and bring them them back. 

Whether or not this actually leads to something that remains to be seen, but both of those games are fan favourites, to say the very least, so there’s going to be no shortage of demand for both of them to see the light of day again.

Speaking in a recent interview with Dextero, Capcom’s Shuhei Matsumoto – producer on Street Fighter 6 and the aforementioned Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, among others – has said that those within the company have “big dreams” of developing new crossover fighting games based on Marvel or SNK in the future. That said, Matsumoto says that if any such projects do arrive, it won’t be in the near future, since development will take a while, which is why Capcom is keep Versus line relevant with re-releases.

“The development team at Capcom has big dreams,” he said. “Maybe there is an opportunity for a new Marvel vs. Capcom game. Maybe there is an opportunity for a new Capcom-based SNK game.

“I don’t know. But, if that were to happen, that would take some time and effort in order create and release those kinds of games, but the short-term with what we can do now is at least reintroduce these past legacy games to a new audience, to people who may not have the opportunity to play it, because it might not be out on modern or current platforms.

“What we can at least do now is to show that, hey, these series exist. We love these games.
We hope that you do too, and maybe in the future, if people get to familiarize themselves with these series, then there may be future opportunities to make bigger games.”

SNK vs. Capcom: SVC CHAOS is available now on PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC, while Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics launches later this year for the same platforms.

“An evil experiment has caused a unique disruption in the timestream. Who will be pulled into this epic showdown?” the tweet reads. What seems to be artwork for the game is also showcased. Check it out below.

While official details are currently scant, a recent report published by TheStreamr claims that the game is titled Marvel Rivals, and is an Overwatch-inspired 6v6 third-person hero shooter, with art style similar to Valorant.

The game is allegedly being developed by NetEase, and is in the pre-alpha stage of development. It’s claimed that it’s targeting a 2025 release for PC, while some reports have claimed that mobile and console versions are also in development.

Full details will be coming tomorrow when the game is revealed, so stay tuned for further updates.

An evil experiment has caused a unique disruption in the timestream. Who will be pulled into this epic showdown?

Get ready for an exciting reveal tomorrow at 8AM PT/ 11AM ET! pic.twitter.com/o0YblUHxUA

— Marvel Games (@MarvelGames) March 26, 2024

As part of that leak, which was shared on ResetEra, another slide from an internal presentation covers details on Sony’s licensing agreement with Marvel for the X-Men property, revealing that the X-Men license will remain exclusive to PlayStation until 2035, during which time Insomniac Games will release Marvel’s Wolverine, Marvel’s X-Men, and Marvel’s X-Men 3, with a provisional fourth title also mentioned. Additionally, there’s also mention of Marvel’s Wolverine Online and Marvel’s X-Men Online, though it’s unclear whether or not those plans are out of date.

As per the leaked details of the licensing agreement, won’t be allowed to release or announce an X-Men game for consoles, PC, or streaming platforms, or use X-Men characters as “a competitive advantage” in a game- for instance, an X-Men character being exclusive to the Xbox version of a multiplatform game.

That said, the agreement does allow for X-Men characters to appear in what are described as “multi-family” Marvel games (citing examples like Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy), while Marvel will also retain the rights to “children’s games and certain X-Men games from the 1990s”.

The Insomniac ransomware leak has also revealed that the studio intends to release a new IP after 2030.

In a statement published on Twitter, Second Dinner has said that Marvel Snap will remain unaffected by any structural changes made at Nuverse, and that the game will “continue to operate and flourish in the future.”

“Some of our players have expressed their concerns regarding reported structural changes at Nuverse,” Second Dinner wrote. “We wish to thank you for your concern and assure you that regardless of any changes at Nuverse, SNAP will continue to operate and flourish in the future.”

Marvel Snap launched for iOS and Android in October last year, as well as for PC in early access, before releasing for the latter in full earlier this year. Currently, there’s no word on when (or if) it will release for other platforms.

Dear SNAPPERS,
Some of our players have expressed their concerns regarding reported structural changes at Nuverse.
We wish to thank you for your concern and assure you that regardless of any changes at Nuverse, SNAP will continue to operate and flourish in the future!

— MARVEL SNAP (@MARVELSNAP) November 27, 2023

Interestingly, as per known comic book insider CanWeGetSomeToast, that inconsistency is something Marvel is “painfully aware” of. In a recent tweet, the insider claimed that there have been “whispers of an internal shift for Marvel to focus on games”, and that EA’s upcoming duo of single player action-adventure titles based on Black Panther (developed by Cliffhanger Games) and Iron Man (developed by Motive Studio) are supposed to be “the start of a push for something big.”

Of course, Marvel has a few other single player action-adventure titles confirmed to be in development as well. Skydance New Media, which is led by Uncharted creator Amy Hennig, is working on a game starring Black Panther and Captain America, while Insomniac is currently developing Marvel’s Wolverine, which, according to rumours, is targeting a Fall 2024 launch.

Meanwhile, later this month, on October 20, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will launch for PS5.

Marvel is PAINFULLY aware of how their video games division hasn’t been reaching its potential overall.

There have been whispers of an internal shift for Marvel to focus on games. The new EA Black Panther and Iron Man games will be the start of a push for something BIG. https://t.co/mFp2DQVYFH pic.twitter.com/AwSgGXMGTz

— CanWeGetSomeToast (@CanWeGetToast) September 30, 2023

Upon its launch last year, Marvel Snap was available on Windows in early access. Now, it’s been confirmed that the game has launched in full for PC via Steam. The news was announced by developer Second Dinner’s head Ben Brode, who took the stage at Gamescom Opening Night Live to confirm that the acclaimed free to play title is available via Steam now- so those who were waiting to dive into Marvel Snap’s offerings until it came to Steam can now finally do so. Check out its PC launch trailer below.

Marvel Snap is also available on iOS, Android, and Mac.

Dominic Robilliard has announced on his LinkedIn page that he has joined Skydance New Media as game director. For those not on the new, Robilliard was the creative director on the cancelled game Star Wars 1313, following which he joined PlayStation. His last project was Concrete Genie, on which he served as the director at PixelOpus. The studio was shuttered by Sony earlier this year.

Which project specifically Robilliard will be working on at Skydance New Media is unclear, with his LinkedIn post mentioning both of the studio’s titles. “To collaborate with such an amazing group of developers, and to play in the iconic worlds of Marvel and Star Wars (again!) is a dream come true,” he wrote.

Though little is known about the Star Wars title, some details on the Marvel game were announced last year. Set during WW2, it will star four playable heroes, two of whom, as mentioned previously, will be Captain America and T’Challa’s grandfather Azzuri as the Black Panther of the time. The game’s been described as a “cinematic” experience, while it’s also been confirmed that despite the presence of multiple playable characters, co-op will not be featured.

In an interview with Famitsu (translation via ResetEra), Sony Interactive Entertainment president Jim Ryan offered his thoughts on the title. “I’m sure Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will be a very exciting launch. Because Marvel’s Spider-Man released on PS4 is the touchstone. The title was a huge success on PS4 and was enjoyed by millions of users.

“The sequel, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, is being developed exclusively for PS5, so the developers have made no compromises. We ask them to focus on maximizing the functions of the PS5 and creating the best works. As a result, we’ve received feedback from game fans that it looks like they’ll be able to enjoy really beautiful visuals and a wonderful experience.”

The “feedback” part seemingly indicates that early play-tests have been positive, but time will tell. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 doesn’t have a specific release month, but actor Tony Todd, who plays Venom, said it was targeting a launch in September.

In the meantime, a prequel comic focused on Miles Morales, Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson facing The Hood has been announced. Learn more about it here, and stay tuned for more details on the title.