Marvel Games Unveils Future Plans and Innovative Partnerships in the Gaming Universe

While the gaming division of Marvel hasn’t yet reached the same level of significance as its cinematic counterpart, we are increasingly hearing about high-quality titles showcasing tales of various superheroes in colorful costumes. The blockbuster Marvel’s Spider-Man, the heartfelt Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, the engaging Marvel’s Midnight Suns, and the successful Marvel Rivals are all examples of this trend. These impressive projects are thanks to the creators and Marvel Games, which oversees the gaming section of Marvel.

In an interview with Game Informer, general manager of Marvel Games, Haluk Mentes, shared insights into how the company is developing its gaming direction, selecting partners, and allowing studios the freedom to experiment with beloved characters.

Mentes emphasized that the primary ethos of the company when developing games is to create projects that stay true to the spirit of Marvel, regardless of the platform. He stated that authenticity doesn’t imply a mere replication of comics or films. Instead, Marvel intentionally grants its partner studios the freedom to reimagine characters in their unique ways while maintaining a balance between familiar personas and original interpretations.

For instance, Insomniac is crafting its own iterations of Spider-Man and Wolverine, Motive is working on Iron Man, Arkane is developing Marvel’s Blade, and NetEase is expanding on Marvel Rivals.

Haluk Mentes

A notable example of the approach taken by Marvel Games is Marvel Tōkon Fighting Souls, an anime-style fighting game developed by Arc System Works.

Mentes shared that collaborating with the game’s developers was a dream come true. From the outset, the team aimed to bring Marvel back to the center of the fighting game community by utilizing a striking visual style combined with some of the best mechanics in the genre.

According to him, the developers began experimenting with the design early on to highlight the recognizable aesthetic of Arc System Works. Mentes expressed his particular admiration for the portrayal of Iron Man, which he found to be unique yet instantly recognizable.

Marvel takes pride in Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and Mentes is confident that gamers are in for a real treat when the game is released next year.

Haluk Mentes explained that for the creation of Marvel’s Deadpool VR, the team at Marvel Games, along with Twisted Pixel Games and Oculus Studios, agreed from the beginning that if they were going to make a game about Deadpool, there would be no restrictions or censorship. They aimed to preserve the character’s authenticity in every aspect, from the frenetic pace of gameplay to the signature dark humor, absurd jokes, and breaking of the «fourth wall.»

Haluk Mentes

The leader at Marvel also spoke about an upcoming delight for fans of superheroes, retro nostalgia, and beat ’em ups— Marvel Cosmic Invasion. Mentes explained that the project’s concept emerged from a longing for classic games. He mentioned that the Marvel Games team grew up playing old arcade hits like X-Men: Children of the Atom, The Punisher, and X-Men: The Arcade Game. These titles marked the first introduction to superheroes for many players outside of comics.

The creators decided to recapture that atmosphere and breathe new life into it. Collaborating with Dotemu and Tribute Games, renowned for the hit Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, provided the perfect opportunity to realize a project that, according to Mentes, simply «had to happen.»

Haluk Mentes mentioned that the philosophy behind Marvel Games is rooted in the principle of «no regrets.» The team always selects projects with the mindset of avoiding future regrets over missed gaming opportunities. He noted that every decision reflects an awareness of the responsibility toward the long-standing legacy of Marvel.

Haluk Mentes