Breaking the Mold: Marvel and DC Games Must Break Free from This One Bad Habit

Highlights

Marvel and DC's forays into video games have been largely disappointing when oriented toward the live service space.

Marvel's Avengers fell short in capturing the exhilarating experience of embodying a team member, despite its customization features and grind-focused gameplay.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League might encounter comparable obstacles, as the live service model might not harmonize with the desired sense of liberty within the superhero genre.

Marvel, a dominant force in the entertainment industry, has experienced immense success since becoming a part of the Disney brand. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has soared to new heights, shattering box office records and bringing beloved comic book characters into the mainstream, the same level of triumph has not been achieved in the realm of video games. In contrast, DC is preparing to reboot its cinematic universe with a fresh vision, but its gaming ventures have faced similar challenges. This raises doubts about the effectiveness of the current superhero game formula.

Both Marvel and DC have licensed their intellectual properties to companies that have chosen to pursue a live service approach, aiming to create long-lasting gaming experiences. However, these endeavors have generally fallen short of expectations. Existing titles and upcoming releases have been met with mixed reviews, indicating the need for a fresh perspective in the superhero gaming genre. Analyzing the failures of Marvel and DC in the live service space provides a clear indication of a concerning downward trend.

Marvel's The Avengers Was Just the Beginning

Marvel's Avengers initially generated intense anticipation, but ultimately failed to meet the expectations of many fans seeking an immersive third-person action experience. Instead, the game focused heavily on customization systems and a grind-heavy looter-shooter style of gameplay, resembling titles such as Destiny 2 and Anthem. As a result, the game felt disconnected from the thrilling power fantasy of being part of the iconic Avengers team. Relying on post-release content to sustain its player base as a live service game, the subsequent updates unfortunately contributed to a negative perception of the genre among consumers.

Although efforts were made to expand the roster of playable characters, the additional content failed to reverse the declining player count of Marvel's Avengers. With support for the game scheduled to cease next month, its underperformance stands in stark contrast to the unprecedented success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite the introduction of highly anticipated characters like Black Panther, Hawkeye, and the Mighty Thor (as portrayed by Jane Foster) in both film and television projects, this excitement did not translate into improved player engagement for Marvel's Avengers.

Gotham Knights' Rumored Past and the State of Live Service Titles

Gotham Knights is a controversial superhero game that disappointed fans, despite not utilizing the popular live service monetization found in games like Marvel's Avengers. Some speculate that the game may have originally been intended as a live service title, given its focus on looter-shooter style elements and gear. However, due to the lackluster performance of similar games in recent years, it is possible that Gotham Knights was adjusted during development to avoid negative feedback. Nevertheless, it still offers a standard co-op experience.

Similarly, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has the potential to face similar criticisms as Gotham Knights. Fans were hoping for a continuation of the critically acclaimed Arkham series, but instead, they are met with concerns over the underwhelming third-person shooter gameplay and potentially grind-heavy battle pass elements. While the live service model has proven to be highly profitable in the gaming industry, there may be limitations to its compatibility with the freedom expected in the superhero genre, regardless of whether it's Marvel or DC.