Marvel spoke with IGN recently, stating matter-of-factly that an Avengers video game will become a reality “when we have the right partner.” Though it’s not particularly surprising that Disney wants to reach its tentacles more tightly around gaming than it has in the past, it is good to hear that they plan to take video game tie-ins more seriously from here on out.
TQ Jefferson, the head of games at Marvel, commented on what exactly an Avengers game would need to turn out properly.
The Avengers game will come when we have the right partner, that has the right vision, that has the time to develop a strong, competitive triple-A title and wants to do it right. It has to hit our three pillars: Fun and engaging gameplay, true to the characters, compelling story. Without hitting those notes, we shouldn’t do it. Gamers, they know better. They’re not going to flock to something that’s sub-par.
Damn right we know better, TQ! Though Captain America: The Winter Solider was a huge step in the right direction, I almost wish Marvel would apply this kind of quality control to its films. It’s ironic, really — in a way, his comment almost implies that gamers know better… unlike moviegoers. Them, they’ll gladly eat shit if we feed it to them. [Insert evil cackle].
Still, I like Jefferson’s style, and he pulls no punches when discussing how licensed titles have fared historically.
I think the fact that there wasn’t an Avengers game turned out in time for the film is indicative of Marvel’s new attitude and the approach to how we find partners and build games. I think in the heyday of the movie licensed game, these games were popping out all the time and most of them sucked.
Jefferson even said that Marvel got “a bloody nose” with its past gaming attempts. The Avengers and other superheroes are coming to Disney Infinity later this year, but from there we’ll just have to wait and see.
