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Marvel Universe Online officially offline

Microsoft Games Studios head Shane Kim confirms the ambitious Cryptic-developed 360-Vista massively multiplayer superhero game "has been discontinued."

293 Comments

In July 2006, Microsoft and Marvel Entertainment announced they were developing an ambitious project, Marvel Universe Online. The title was the first massively multiplayer online role-playing game designed for cross-play between Xbox 360 and Windows Vista, and the first MMORPG to feature characters from the Marvel Comics universe. As outlined in a GameSpot interview, Marvel Universe Online also marked the first collaboration between Marvel and developer Cryptic Studios after they settled a nasty legal flap over Marvel-esque characters in City of Heroes and City of Villains.

But following the high-profile announcements of 2006, the flow of information about Marvel Universe Online was shut off in 2007. Unconfirmed reports swirled that the project had been quietly canceled, even though official inquiries were greeted by Microsoft's standard refrain, "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation." However, the wall of silence broke at last week's D.I.C.E. Summit, when Microsoft Game Studios head Shane Kim told GameSpot that Marvel Universe Online is permanently offline.

"Microsoft and Marvel have decided to discontinue that project," the executive told GameSpot. "It was a mutual decision." Kim did not go into further detail about the game's cancellation.

The demise of Marvel Universe Online leaves Sony Online Entertainment's even more mystery-shrouded DC Comics PC and PlayStation 3 project as the highest-profile officially sanctioned comic-book massively multiplayer game in development. (City of Heroes and City of Villains, which feature character-created superhero characters, remain online.) It also comes shortly after Marvel ended its agreement with Electronic Arts to codevelop a fighting game. The company still has longstanding agreements with Activision and Sega to develop non-MMOG games based on its iconic characters.

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Avatar image for winnazdaluza
winnazdaluza

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check the date of the article

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ShinjiEx

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Meh DC is better!

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scarface_dm

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Damn, A Marvel MMO would have been 10x better than a DC one Too bad microsoft couldnt see the profit this game could have made them

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Chickendude8890

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It would have been awsome if they acctually made this game, but people these days are to lazy to actually put work into games anymore lyk they used to. And wat WierdLIVE said is true. They cancelled this game and are making Champions Online insted. Same thing kind of but without Marvel and the Complex stroylines

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buckmana

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That really sucks! I'm not a DC fan and Cities of Heroes was a terrible game, so this was really my last choice for a superhero mmo. I guess mmos that aren't about swords and sorcery are too hard to make (sarcasm implied).

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Big_Bang159

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i wanted to be punisher:(((((

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sebaste

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I think they need more time for the project.

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starduke

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Why? Why did they cancel it? I'd just like to know. I want to be an online superhero in either DCU or Marvel. I geuss it has to be DCU now. I hope they don't end up canceling the DCU MMO too. That would be foolish.

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DeadlyOnez

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go to ps3. it still wont make the ps3 any better. Home Blows

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illusion121

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Nooooooooooooooooo!! for the love of God bring it back!

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justiceforeall

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This was the only reason I was going to buy an X-box 360,....oh well!

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burstlimit514

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so now its on ps3 and pc? poor 360 fan boys.

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deactivated-5dbb4d0085e20

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So why was MUO canceled?

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Gelugon_baat

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Good riddance for Marvel Universe Online and that fighting game. They would have made a mockery of Marvel comics.

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InsaneCheeseMan

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@ Ares_hot You make custom heroes/villains to fight alongside/with the big names like Batman or Superman. I think it's because if you look at the Justice League or Legion of Doom, there's hundreds of unnamed characters who are lucky if they get a panel to themselves. Those are who the players represent.

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ps3thabest

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bring that 2 ps3

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Ares_hot

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Im really confused, will u be able to make ur own characters or do u have to chose a premade one like superman or batman??

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sunilian

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this hurts

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DiabolicalX

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as much as I would have liked too see this game, there would be o way it could work and please the majority at the same time, you'd have about 1000 noobs running around as Spiderman or Wolverine. Though I would like to see a Marvel fighting game

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Thewbacca

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interesting. Dc and Marvel have chosen sides in the console war.

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WiRedLiVE

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if you want to watch the video, go to youtube because it glitches on the website

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WiRedLiVE

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its ok everyone. cryptic studio is still making a superhero MMORPG for the 360. its called "champions online". go to "champions-online.com"

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Vidoegameatic

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way too sad

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turgzz

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really sad marvel rocks

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DiscGuru101

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If it was going to be CoH/CoV clone, I would have canceled it too. -CoH/CoV is more than enough to meet the super hero MMO fix.

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darkonimaster

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That sucks rocks. Hopfully Sony and there Playstation3 will pick this up. Yet other let down by the world leader in let downs Microsoft Games Studios.

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deactivated-5acc53d3339a6

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this blows 'Nuff said

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jannlee111

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man i wanted to be the hulk =( now hulk sad

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nowyoufacedoom

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Why oh why??? This game would of had me calling off from work so many days. But oh well. Now I gotta wait and see if DC does a somewhat decent game with the PS3. Blegh!!! Marvel rocks!!!! 'Nuff Said.

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fudgiebrown1

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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! my dreams :(

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Hellpop

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Got to be that no good idiot Quesada at Marvel. He f*#^$ everything up!

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SSGSTrunks

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Why? That game would've rocked!

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homie13_9

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damn this wouldve been a good game i wouldve buoght i love marvel!!!!!! nemesis was was of ma favorites..with magneto!!! it was hot...but i guess not with this one..since is off now....hopefully they will change their minds again and make it....

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Topher_Rawks

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Damn. This would have pulled me into the MMORPG genre finally... What a shame, it sounded great...

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gertish

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Lame, I would have bought this game.

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bennie12

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Dammit.

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8bit16bitsowhat

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this game would have actually made me use my 360 rather than just have it collecting dust behind my tv.

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El_Shabang

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Interesting that everyone blames MS for this ... no one's here shouting "Damn you Marvel!"

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ahmedsamir_7

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I was looking forward to this sad news DAMN Microsoft

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artiebillymac

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NO man this sucks MUO would have been great but oh well .

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pygmahia5

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wow...that is the biggest bs ever, it would have been a good game and made millions....gj ms

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mathiasX

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Congrats on letting down comic book/super hero fans everywhere..you suck microsoft.

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Thorpe89

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Could had potential but I guess, not anymore.

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Ninja_RaVeN

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I was looking forward to this game! Damn you Microsoft!!!

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guppieface

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blahh i read this bcause im bored

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graavigala

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thank the gods! this game would have turned out same as City of Heroes/Villains

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xboxaficionado

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I was looking forward to this game, too bad.

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gnbfd

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didn't M$ say earlier that a major first party title would be canned? Anyway this sucks. That was actually a good idea

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Ryking

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With Marvel produing the majority of their movies that are coming out in the next 2-5 years, it makes me wonder if maybe they aren't canceling this game so that they can make it themselves later on. They've already canceled their deal with EA to make fighting games.

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