NYCC '08: THE IRON MAN & HULK VIDEO GAME PANEL

[MattBrady]

Report by William Clark

Marvel Comics is mostly known as the comic book giant from the East Coast. That might soon change as the West Coast division of Marvel Studios is making a bid to be as large as their east coast brothers.

Marvel Studios’ West Coast division is primarily responsible for three divisions: movies, animation and interactive, the third being their activities as a video game property licensor. If the claims made at the Iron-Man and Incredible Hulk video game panel at this weekend’s New York Comic Con are any indication, the inroads to making Marvel West as big as its eastern bother are well underway.

Justin Lambros, who is the VP Interactive of Marvel Studios, moderated the panel. The panel included:

Jeffrey Tseng: Game Director at Sega’s new developer studio, Secret Level

Mike McHale: Senior Producer at Sega of America

BJ Enriquez: Producer at Sega of America

Lambros began by stating he and Enriquez are old friends and that is how the connection between Marvel Studios and Sega took formation.

“These are movie games, so the budget is larger than for a regular video game,” Lambros stated. “The timelines are huge.” Lambros began the panel’s discussion with the Iron Man game, since it was coming out first. He then asked if anyone had seen the movie panel which included some Iron Man news, a question which was met with much applause. Lambros smiled and said, “Then you’ll love this.”

Before turning the floor over to Jeffrey Tseng, the audience was shown a breakdown of developers for the Iron-Man game. Secret Level developed the game for X-Box 360 and PS3 since those are classified as “next gen” (next generation) consoles, while A2M developed the game for Nintendo Wii, PS2, PC, PSP, and Nintendo DS as those are classified as “current gen” (current generation) consoles. The difference being next gen consoles have capabilities that current gen consoles don’t.



Tseng took the floor and explained the thought process behind designing a movie-based Iron-Man game. “It’s a challenge because of all the abilities that Iron Man possesses.” Plus, since the movie has a “gritty nature” the game had to reflect that also. Finally, they had to satisfy the movie aspects as well as those for fans of the character and comic book, so the game also includes missions that are not from the movie, but are reflective of Iron Man’s rich history as a comic book character.. These include his vast array of suits, specialty gadgets and weapons, etc. Since Secret Level developed the game for next gen consoles, the game has what is called an “open air” aspect to it.

Here’s the skinny to the Iron Man game for next gen players: It’s a mission-based game but you can fly anywhere and do anything. You don’t follow a set of rules to take care of one thing first, this second, this third, but you can’t progress through the game until you reach specific mission points in the larger storyline. How you choose to handle the missions is your choice. You also have multiple lives in which to do so. After each mission, you have a save point.

The cut scenes are where you will see and hear the cast of the movie make their mark. Players will not be able to play as Tony Stark in the cut scenes rather they will be led to missions by what happens in those cut scenes. Then, a slight spoiler about the movie was mentioned as the way to contact Iron Man was thru Jarvis who is now computer based.

For current gen console players, you’re more grounded in your actions, as a traditional game console would be. The rules are a little stricter with more interior environments, but you still can do just about anything next gen players can do.

Both Tseng and McHale raved about the “unlimited ability” of the game play because of the many abilities Iron-Man possesses. Lambros ended the Iron Man segment stating, “Iron Man has so many avenues to go down.”

Next up was The Incredible Hulk.

Lambros gave the floor to Enriquez, with the Hulk game being under his domain as producer. Again the audience was shown that the developers were split. Edge of Reality developed the game for X-Box 360, PS3, Wii, PS2 and the PC while Amaze developed it for the DS.

As those who have seen the game’s trailer have guessed, the new game is next gen kin to the hugely popular Hulk: Ultimate Destruction game while being tied to the upcoming movie. Lambros asked again how many people went to the movie panel and received much applause.

Enriquez explained the game as such: “You are the Hulk in New York City in an open environment. The game is totally interactive. You can destroy, climb, jump, everything the Hulk would do you, the player, can do.” Again, it was stated that the Hulk’s vast character history is a major part of the game, with their being multiple story arcs so the player can deviate from the movie arc and come back to it at their choosing.



The Q&A session began.

“What can be expected in the Hulk game in terms of his history?” The audience was told to check out the Hasbro/Marvel booth to see the different skins for the Hulk.

“Is the entire cast of the movie represented in the Hulk game?” The primary stars would be represented and then it was strongly hinted by Enriquez that a certain Armored Avenger could be making a cameo appearance also. That drew a fair amount of applause from the audience.

The next question was for both games. “How do you balance out the movie and comic missions?” Tseng stated the Iron Man game doesn’t follow literally, but stressed it is a mission based game. Dialogue is huge even for the missions and here is where Jarvis plays a major part in the game as a key component. “Jarvis is how Tony and you interact with each other.”

Then the question I knew would come up for the Hulk game: “No PSP version?” Enriquez explained that the time limit to get the game ready to coincide with the movie prohibited them from announcing a PSP version for now but did promise they are working on it. “Wouldn’t you rather it be late than have a crappy game?” To that, everyone agreed.

Next question regarded save points for The Hulk. “We don’t want you to have your dinner go cold or something just to save, so there are save points all over the game. You can have the Hulk just tear into things and cause mass destruction to your heart’s content.” As for Iron Man, Tseng again stated that since Tony has heart issues, you have multiple lives but since Iron Man is primarily mission-based, the save points are more scarce than with the Hulk game.

The panel ran somewhat long. After it was over, Newsarama did get confirmation from Lambros that Marvel Studios was still in business with Activision and they had just announced the new Spider-Man game, Spider-Man – Web Of Shadows and the website has just launched. Newsarama also asked about a sequel to the hugely popular Marvel Ultimate Alliance to which Lambros acknowledged there were rumors about a sequel but did not confirm them.

[SageShini]

“These are movie games, so the budget is larger than for a regular video game,” Lambros stated.

....Knowing the budget of SquareEnix games or games like Halo, somehow I doubt it. More importantly, who cares? I'm sure the budget for TF: The Game was huge, but the game itself freakin' blew. Did make it pretty though.

Still, I knew that game was going to blow when the commercials came out and refused to show us anything but CGI and like, five seconds of gameplay (in one second bursts no less). That's a sign of a company knowing their gameplay sucks. This game hasn't really had that problem.

...Still, I'm disappointed. Why did no one ask if there would be any downloadable content? Especially for Iron Man. Some add-on armors would be awesome.

[Merai]

Every time someone classifies Wii as "current gen", I grind my teeth into oblivion. Yes, it has less processing power than 360 or PS3, but it still has far more than any current gen console.

More importantly, it's absolutely OBLITERATING them in terms of sales. Some companies have already recognized this and are increasingly treating the Wii the same as the other two- hopefully SEGA will learn the lesson after this.

[TheMightyGeek]

I'm just afraid that since developers don't appear to know how to really take advantage of the Wii's unique controller, the gameplay for these games will reek.

Ultimate Alliance on the Wii was pretty sad.

[ljacone]

First off, I just want to say that I don't see how any piece of technology that I can go out and purchase right this minute can be classified as "next generation." That simply doesn't make any sense at all.

In any event, I saw some footage of the DS version of Iron Man a few days ago, and it looked pretty neat. A lot of flying around and shooting, then running around and shooting. Sounds about right to me, although the levels I saw didn't have the nifty "grabbing missiles and throwing them" trick like in the trailer. They did have War Machine style missles, so I guess that's something. I have yet to see any footage of the Hulk game, but I gather it will be similar to how they describe it herein.

Right now I own a GBA, and I have been considering upgrading to the DS. I don't think Iron Man is the game that will force that conversion, despite how big a fan I am. But I will keep an open eye for a price drop, and at that point probably check these games out.

[The Last Word]

Both titles are extremely good-looking, especially the Hulk.

The IM title gets extra props, though; anybody who has played XM: Legends II and Ultimate Alliance understands how enjoyable playing IM is.

[Doc_doom79]

Sorry, but when there is no season mode on Madden or Smackdown on the Wii, and most of the games that I and all of my friends play are missing features that we have on the other systems...

Wii is NOT a next-gen system.

[TheTyrantVirus]

Originally Posted by Merai

Every time someone classifies Wii as "current gen", I grind my teeth into oblivion. Yes, it has less processing power than 360 or PS3, but it still has far more than any current gen console.

As far as I can tell, "next gen" almost exclusively refers to processing power and graphics ability. Wii, as much as I love it, pretty much has the power and graphics ability of a GameCube. It doesn't even support HD like the others. Basically Wii is a GameCube with WiFi and motion sensing capability. Maybe not 100% "current gen" but not anywhere approaching "next gen."

[statnut]

I played the demo for Iron Man the other night, and came away with a big meh.

[deworde]

Originally Posted by Merai

Every time someone classifies Wii as "current gen", I grind my teeth into oblivion. Yes, it has less processing power than 360 or PS3, but it still has far more than any current gen console.

More importantly, it's absolutely OBLITERATING them in terms of sales. Some companies have already recognized this and are increasingly treating the Wii the same as the other two- hopefully SEGA will learn the lesson after this.

Look, I'm as big a Wii fan as anybody, but technologically, it's not "next gen". It's not technically current gen either, but as it says in the review, there are things you can take advantage of with the X-Box and PS2 that just won't work on the Wii. Hence they passed it onto a different studio. I just hope they don't Ult Alliance it, and try and use the Wii controller. If you're going to map, just use a damn pad!

[GohanWinner]

I've come to learn the hard way that with video games (especially licensed games) that hype and pretty videos rarely if ever live up to what you expect. And both of these games look like the same old same old. Iron Man and Hulk both look pleasing to the eye, and it sure does seem you can fly around and interact with a lot but it all looks and sounds like the kind of thing we were teased with for teh Superman Returns game, and that was awful. Even with the extra time "to make it better" after the movie's release. Of course that WAS EA, and this is SEGA, but still.

The Incredible Hulk one looks better, if only because it looks like it plays exactly like Ultimate Destruction which isn't really a bad thing. It runs the risk of being too similar, though, as both are about the Abomination.

[AJ Ryan]

Originally Posted by Merai

More importantly, it's absolutely OBLITERATING them in terms of sales.

Not in game sales.

And especially not in 3rd party game sales.

Nintendo makes a ton of money on the Wii, but they don't support 3rd parties the way Sony and Microsoft do, so they don't get as much attention from developers. Instead they get shovelware that costs very little to make and sells well enough to turn a profit without having to compete with major 1st party Nintendo games.

[AJ Ryan]

Originally Posted by ljacone

First off, I just want to say that I don't see how any piece of technology that I can go out and purchase right this minute can be classified as "next generation." That simply doesn't make any sense at all.

In any event, I saw some footage of the DS version of Iron Man a few days ago, and it looked pretty neat. A lot of flying around and shooting, then running around and shooting. Sounds about right to me, although the levels I saw didn't have the nifty "grabbing missiles and throwing them" trick like in the trailer. They did have War Machine style missles, so I guess that's something. I have yet to see any footage of the Hulk game, but I gather it will be similar to how they describe it herein.

Right now I own a GBA, and I have been considering upgrading to the DS. I don't think Iron Man is the game that will force that conversion, despite how big a fan I am. But I will keep an open eye for a price drop, and at that point probably check these games out.

The DS is a fantastic system that really takes advantage of being a handheld. The single card multiplayer that so many games have makes it a lot of fun for social gaming, and it really pulls in the new versions of old school style games.

[Foxx5]

I played IM at the SDCC last year it was awesome with many cool moves you could do, but after seeing the trailer they have made teh graphics so much better and props to sega and marvel for making it aviable for almost every system out there

[AJohnsonROKs]

I hear all this talk about the current systems out not being next gen, but I think you all are forgetting the definition of the word Generation. If you had a child that's the next generation of your family line and with that said the Wii, 360 and PS3 are the next generation consoles in their family of hardware. Graphics don't make it next generation, but technology does and each system is way different technologically than their predecessors. Sure Wii isn't as pretty as the 360 and PS3, but it's technologically advanced beyond the Gamecube...maybe slightly, but it's still a step up and in no ways a step backwards or being on the same level of the GC. So guys get your facts straight cause a bunch of you sound like idiots.

[AJohnsonROKs]

Originally Posted by AJ Ryan

Not in game sales.

And especially not in 3rd party game sales.

Nintendo makes a ton of money on the Wii, but they don't support 3rd parties the way Sony and Microsoft do, so they don't get as much attention from developers. Instead they get shovelware that costs very little to make and sells well enough to turn a profit without having to compete with major 1st party Nintendo games.

I'd say that it's vice versa and that developers aren't supporting the Wii, but as w/Wii's first party games have shown if you take a lil time and put some effort in to the games the control motions won't feel tacked on and the game can look beautiful. 3rd party devolopers creating games for the Wii just don't give a sh*t and they're trying to sell some units by porting old games on to the Wii and messing around w/the idea of motion controls, but not finessing it. Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 was great on the Wii because it was developed w/the Wii in mind. If anyone has the chance look up The Conduit it's a game coming out for the Wii that's been in development since the Wii was announced and is built on a proprietary Wii program which takes full advantage of the Wii's technical abilities. Don't judge the system by these lame "ports" and half assed attempts at party/mini games, judge the system by it's exclusive made specifically for Wii software...that's the bread and pudding that developers should take notice of and build on.

[Devoted]

Can anyone please enlighten me why is the PC considered "current-gen" (since a PC is extremely open-ended) and if this means that PC gamers' version will be the same as the PS2, etc (more interior-driven, etc...)?

[wjclark01]

I wasn't going to weigh in on this but it seems the arguement is more for developers than for gamers.

Gamers don't determine how a game is going to be developed. The problem is that many third party developers haven't fully embraced the Nintendo Wii engine and capabilities to properly formulate a game. The X-Box and PS engines are similar and really, let's do a little real talk here - these guys main focus is graphics and gameplay. The one glaring discussion to me was how long it would take for the Hulk game to be developed for the PSP. I mean, for real? If they're having a hard time developing for a frakkin' handheld, imagine the issues they're having with the Wii?

I was also taken slightly aback to hear the Wii was considered "current gen" when the mechanics of it clearly puts it in Next Gen status (for however stable that term is...). AJ is right on point when he states that when developers take the time to embrace the Wii's capabilities, they will come out with a superior game. But what has to be examined is not what third party developers are doing, but why? Why haven't they embraced the Wii? Get a straight answer for that question and you'll really be ahead of the game.

Think about it...

[LuisMa316]

Originally Posted by AJ Ryan

Not in game sales.

And especially not in 3rd party game sales.

Nintendo makes a ton of money on the Wii, but they don't support 3rd parties the way Sony and Microsoft do, so they don't get as much attention from developers. Instead they get shovelware that costs very little to make and sells well enough to turn a profit without having to compete with major 1st party Nintendo games.

Sure about that? Brawl,Galaxy,etc sold like crazy.