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3 CommentsMarvel Heroes will be available through Steam, Human Torch coming post-launch
By Megan Farokhmanesh on May 11, 2013 05.11.13
Marvel Heroes, a free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-paying game from Gazillion Entertainment, will be available through Steam, the company announced. The game client is available to download now, and Steam users can access the final open beta until May 13. Those interested in joining the closed beta must purchase a Founders Pack through the game's official website. Gazillion also announced that Fantastic Four hero Human Torch will be added to the game post-launch. Human Torch is one of five characters to be delayed, including Emma Frost, Luke Cage, Nova and Squirrel Girl. A specific date was not given for Human Torch's release, though Gazillion did confirm that he would be the first hero added. Marvel Heroes entered its first open beta in late April. The game is expected...
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1 CommentJohn Needham appointed studio head of Fable developer Lionhead
By Dave Tach on Apr 23, 2013 04.23.13
John Needham, former CEO of Cryptic Studios and Gazillion Entertainment, has been appointed studio head of Fable developer Lionhead Studios, according to a recent posting on the developer's website. As CEO, Needham oversaw development studios that have created games like City of Heroes and Star Trek Online (Cryptic) and Marvel Heroes (Gazillion). Lionhead's post touts his experience with massively multiplayer online role-playing games, free-to-play titles as well as PC and mobile games. "This is a historic time in our industry and I'm excited, and honored, to be joining Lionhead and Microsoft Studios," Needham said. "Our vision is focused on building innovative gaming services and AAA experiences at Lionhead, and the rest of Microsoft Studios, which take advantage of Microsoft's...
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4 CommentsMarvel Heroes coming to PC June 4, Mac launch to follow
By Emily Gera on Mar 26, 2013 03.26.13
Free-to-Play MMO Marvel Heroes is launching on June 4, publisher Gazillion Entertainment announced today. Early access to the game will also be made available seven days before launch for those who purchased the Founders Pack as part of the Marvel Heroes Founders Program. The Founders Programs allows users to buy limited-edition packs to access particular heroes, costumes, early access to the game, and currency for in-game items. Starter, premium and ultimate packs are available here, while the value-packed Marvel Heroes Founders Program is available until June 3. Marvel Heroes will be downloadable for free on PC, with a Mac version scheduled to hit after launch.
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4 CommentsMarvel Heroes: managing 100 Wolverines and Spider-Men in an MMO
By Tracey Lien on Mar 14, 2013 03.14.13
"It was daunting. Definitely," says Gazillion president, David Brevik, who is best known for being the founder of Blizzard North, the studio behind the highly celebrated action role-playing games, Diablo and Diablo 2. "But this is something I love — I love the Marvel universe — so as much as it was daunting, I was up for the challenge. I knew what I wanted to do with it. I could picture the game in my head." Speaking to Polygon at Gazillion's headquarters near Redwood City, Brevik revealed some of the challenges the studio faced while making the game he pictured in his head. The first was finding a balance between accurately representing the Marvel universe while not allowing the universe lore to compromise the game itself. One example of this is the game's looting system:...
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9 CommentsMarvel Heroes boss sees nothing wrong with the price of £130 Ultimate Pack
By Emily Gera on Jan 21, 2013 01.21.13
Gazillion Entertainment head Dave Brevik sees nothing wrong with the £130 price tag on Marvel Heroes' Ultimate Pack, the veteran designer told Eurogamer. The pricing of the limited-edition starter pack surprised many when it was announced earlier in the month as part of a Founders Program offering tiered packs at different price ranges; however, Brevik maintains players typically spend even more than the £130 price of the Ultimate Pack in online and free-to-play titles. "If you stop to think about it, many people have spent way more than that on World of Warcraft or League of Legends," Brevik said. "You have to realize how much you're getting for that Ultimate Pack. That's one of the packages available. We have other packages available as well that have a different price point. "...
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5 CommentsMarvel Heroes MMO coming spring 2013, early access for Founders Program buyers
By Alexa Ray Corriea on Jan 09, 2013 01.09.13
Gazillion Entertainment's free-to-play superhero MMO Marvel Heroes is coming to Windows PC this spring, the developer announced today. Gazillion also announced a Marvel Heroes Founders Program through which players can purchase limited-edition starter packs to gain early access to the game, as well as up-front in-game currency and pre-unlocked costumes. Players can purchase one of three tiered packs from the game's official website: Starter, £12.99 ($21): Players can choose from one of 16 different packs, each containing one of the game's starter superheroes, a bonus costume and £6 ($10) of in-game currency. Players will also have access to the game two days ahead of its official release. Premium, £39.99 ($64): Players can choose between one of seven packs containing four...
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2 CommentsMarvel Heroes MMO gets three new characters, lots of shiny costumes
By Alexa Ray Corriea on Oct 14, 2012 10.14.12
Gazillion Entertainment and Marvel revealed new information on massively multiplayer online role-playing game Marvel Heroes during a panel at New York Comic Con today. The team unveiled new characters Nova, Luke Cage, and X-Men Jean Grey. The latter has been the most requested character for inclusion in the MMO, with both classic and Phoenix outfits available for her. The game features Marvel superheroes battling each other across a series of large randomized zones, the addition of which is a first for MMOs. Players fight across these combat zones, never replaying the same area in the same way twice. Heroes will face the biggest threats to peace in the Marvel universe in teams or solo, earning rewards that can then be used to power up characters. Characters can be customized with...
Marvel Heroes designer details how free this free-to-play title really is
By Chris Plante on Oct 12, 2012 10.12.12
"It's totally free," says David Brevik, tucked away in a back room at New York Comic Con. The game designer, who co-founded Blizzard North and helped create Diablo and Diablo II, is telling me about his latest game, a massively multiplayer action hybrid called Marvel Heroes. The project is quite the undertaking, already in its third year of development. The first MMO with permission to make use of the entire Marvel universe, it will star at least 23 of the fictions' most famous heroes, each with unique costumes, abilities, and weapons. Then there are the set pieces, famous locations from over 70 years of Marvel comics and films. "Really, it's totally free," Brevik says. I press him one last time. "There are micro-transaction shops to buy things that have very little impact on...
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6 CommentsMarvel Heroes closed beta begins
By Tracey Lien on Oct 02, 2012 10.02.12
Gazillion Entertainment's massively multiplayer online game, Marvel Heroes, has kicked off its closed beta and is inviting players to take part by registering for an account. Posting to the game's Developer Blog, Marvel heroes' community director, Stephen Reid wrote that the team had a great response to their early call for closed beta applicants – now it's time for players to jump in help the developers test the game. "Notice I did say ‘testing' and not ‘play a demo' or ‘play the game early'," Reid writes. "When we say ‘Closed Beta' it means that you're testing unfinished software. Marvel Heroes is still in active development, and everyone who applies for Closed Beta should realize, quite simply, that it's not done. "We hope you'll enjoy playing, but we also hope you'll...
'Marvel Heroes' introduces the Punisher, Daredevil, and Squirrel Girl as playable characters
By Emily Gera on Sep 03, 2012 09.03.12
Marvel Heroes will include Daredevil, the Punisher, and Squirrel Girl as playable characters in the free-to-play massively multiplayer game from Gazillion Entertainment, it was announced in the latest Marvel Heroes trailer which premiered at this year's PAX Prime. The trailer, which takes place in the back streets of Hell's Kitchen, also introduces villain Mr. Fisk, the notorious crime lord. These characters join the previously announced Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain America, Human Torch, Hulk, Deadpool and Black Widow. Marvel Heroes is developed by David Brevik, formerly of Diablo and Diablo 2 fame. The game is set within the Marvel universe and combines the gameplay styles of Diablo and massively multiplayer titles, with a storyline developed by comic scribe Brian Michael Bendis.
