Massively Speaking http://massively.joystiq.com This is the Massively podcast http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Massively SpeakingJoystiqMassively Speaking<![CDATA[Marvel Heroes' Chronicles of Doom dives into episode 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/marvel-heroes-chronicles-of-doom-dives-into-episode-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/marvel-heroes-chronicles-of-doom-dives-into-episode-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/marvel-heroes-chronicles-of-doom-dives-into-episode-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Marvel Heroes' Chronicles of Doom dives into episode 2
Were you hanging on the edge of your seat after watching the first episode of Marvel Heroes' Chronicles of Doom last week? Hope you haven't fallen to your doo...mise because the second installment is now available.

The episode tracks the sinister Victor von Doom as he makes a devil's deal with Dorammu to gain power and YouTube likes. The Chronicles of Doom is a four-part motion comic series written by Marvel's Brian Michael Bendis, and it can be seen as the prequel to the game itself.

Watch episode 2 after the jump!

Continue reading Marvel Heroes' Chronicles of Doom dives into episode 2

MassivelyMarvel Heroes' Chronicles of Doom dives into episode 2 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmobrian-michael-bendischronicles-of-doomepisode-2f2pfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemuosecret-identitysuperherosuperheroestrailervideoFri, 24 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvel Heroes rolls out first episode of Chronicles of Doom motion comic series]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/marvel-heroes-rolls-out-first-episode-of-chronicles-of-doom-mo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/marvel-heroes-rolls-out-first-episode-of-chronicles-of-doom-mo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/marvel-heroes-rolls-out-first-episode-of-chronicles-of-doom-mo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Marvel Heroes rolls out first episode of 'Chronicles of Doom' motion comic series
When Marvel Heroes launches on June 4th, it will begin a super story that finds Doctor Doom wielding a fair share of power. But what about the story behind that story? To reveal just how Doctor Doom rose to power, Gazillion is releasing a short series of motion comics entitled "Chronicles of Doom." Penned by Brian Michael Bendis, well-known for his work creating the Ultimate Marvel Universe, the adventure begins with the villain infiltrating the sanctuary of the Fantastic Four. Watch the first installment of the four-part series after the break.

[Source: Gazillion Entertainment press release]

Continue reading Marvel Heroes rolls out first episode of Chronicles of Doom motion comic series

MassivelyMarvel Heroes rolls out first episode of Chronicles of Doom motion comic series originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 May 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmoBrian-Michael-BendisChronicles-of-DoomDoctor-Doomf2pFantastic-Fourfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemotion-comicmotion-comicsmuosecret-identitysuperherosuperheroesvideoFri, 17 May 2013 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvel Heroes prepares for the end at the beginning]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/marvel-heroes-prepares-for-the-end-at-the-beginning/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/marvel-heroes-prepares-for-the-end-at-the-beginning/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/marvel-heroes-prepares-for-the-end-at-the-beginning/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Marvel Heroes prepares for the end at the beginning
With early access to Marvel Heroes coming on May 28th and the actual launch a few days later on June 4th, the Gazillion team is on super-high alert. CEO David Brevik talked with us about the final additions that the team is putting in place, saying that most of the features are complete at this point.

Brevik most wanted to talk about Marvel Heroes' endgame. Interestingly enough, the main PvE story will take your character only about halfway to the level 60 cap. After that, Gazillion expects players to fully rely on a robust endgame to finish the journey.

The endgame is made up of three primary PvE activities (in addition to PvP): daily missions, group challenges, and survival challenges. Daily missions, which can be soloed or done in a group, are unlocked in a chain. The five-man group challenges only have a single entry at this point, although there are several variations on that challenge. Then the survival challenges can take groups of 10 to 15 players and pit them against waves of increasingly difficult foes. Difficulty for these wave battles can be lowered by grabbing shards and defeating enemies, and depending on how well your team performs, the boss could be a pushover or insanely tough. Gazillion is placing a premium on randomness and variety to keep things fresh, so don't expect all similar-looking mobs to actually be the same!

Read on for all of the last-minute changes that players will encounter when they take on their superhero personae next month!

Continue reading Marvel Heroes prepares for the end at the beginning

MassivelyMarvel Heroes prepares for the end at the beginning originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmocabledavid-brevikendgamef2pfeaturedfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentiron-manmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemuosecret-identitysuperherosuperheroesThu, 16 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[No launch torch for Marvel Heroes, but plenty of Steam]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/no-launch-torch-for-marvel-heroes-but-plenty-of-steam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/no-launch-torch-for-marvel-heroes-but-plenty-of-steam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/no-launch-torch-for-marvel-heroes-but-plenty-of-steam/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Squirrel Girl rightfully has a single power, which just lets her win.
When Marvel Heroes announced that Squirrel Girl, Emma Frost, Nova, and Luke Cage would be delayed until after the game had launched, it was bad news, depriving the game of three popular heroes and Nova until later. Now another hero has joined the ranks of the not-in-launch crowd. The Human Torch will be delayed until after release, although players who have pre-purchased launch packs will still have full access to all of the Torch's add-ons when he does go live.

Despite this loss, the game has obviously generated enough heat to make its way on to Steam for its final open beta weekend. Players who already have the game installed don't need to worry, but Steam users can install the game directly from the Steam client. Launch packs purchased prior to the Steam integration should work seamlessly, and you can also purchase launch packs directly from Steam if the final beta weekend inspires you to do so.

MassivelyNo launch torch for Marvel Heroes, but plenty of Steam originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 May 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmof2pfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmenthuman-torchlaunchlaunch-delayslaunch-heroesmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemuopost-launchsecret-identitysteamsuperherosuperheroesFri, 10 May 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvel Heroes offers one final open beta weekend and Thor trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/marvel-heroes-offers-one-final-open-beta-weekend-and-thor-traile/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/marvel-heroes-offers-one-final-open-beta-weekend-and-thor-traile/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/marvel-heroes-offers-one-final-open-beta-weekend-and-thor-traile/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Marvel Heroes offers one final open beta weekend and Thor trailer
If you missed last weekend's open beta for Marvel Heroes, you've got one more chance to get in and get your super hero on before the June 4th launch. Gazillion Entertainment has announced the last open beta weekend will take place from Friday, May 10th at 8:00 p.m. EDT to Monday May 13th at 1:00 p.m. EDT. For this round, players will get to choose from their favorite Avengers: Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, and Black Widow. To get in on the action, just register on the official site.

To celebrate the Avenger-themed final weekend, the studio also released a new trailer highlighting Thor. Check out the Asgardian action after the break.

[Source: Gazillion Entertainment press release]

[Update: The team has just posted an FAQ for the beta weekend.]

Continue reading Marvel Heroes offers one final open beta weekend and Thor trailer

MassivelyMarvel Heroes offers one final open beta weekend and Thor trailer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 May 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmoAvengersf2pfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemuoopen-beta-weekendsecret-identitysuperherosuperheroesThorThor-trailertrailervideoWed, 08 May 2013 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Forking over your cash to play for free]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/forking-over-your-cash-to-play-for-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/forking-over-your-cash-to-play-for-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/forking-over-your-cash-to-play-for-free/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Forking over your cash to play for free!
Free-to-play means you can play for free, right? Not if you've got your sights set on the top founders packs for upcoming games like Marvel Heroes. In a blog on Gamasutra, virtual world economist Ramin Shokrizade explores the trend of these F2P collector-edition equivalents and whether the value justifies the price or if it's all a con to push players into making uninformed purchases before they have enough info.

Shokrizade compares the value of both Marvel Heroes and MechWarrior Tactics founders packs. At $199.99 and $120 respectively, both come with a hefty price tag, but both also claim significantly higher values. Do you really get your money's worth? Because of the replayability inherent in trying each superhero, Shokrizade rated Marvel Heroes as "pricey but reasonable." MechWarrior Tactics, however, received a "poor value" rating due to the tremendous in-game advantage that the founders pack gives.

How will these titles ultimately fare? Shokrizade stated that it all depends on enjoyable player interactions. "[Players] should not have to spend a lot in order to be able to have a positive social experience," he said. "Taking this one step further, if [players] can spend to lower the experience of other players, this will cause a rapid collapse of revenues."

MassivelyForking over your cash to play for free originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmof2pfounders-packFounders-packsfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlineMechWarrior-TacticsmuoRamin-Shokrizadesecret-identitysuperherosuperheroesMon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Marvel Heroes trailer shows off Iron Man 3 specialty suits]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/new-marvel-heroes-trailer-shows-off-iron-man-3-specialty-suits/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/new-marvel-heroes-trailer-shows-off-iron-man-3-specialty-suits/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/new-marvel-heroes-trailer-shows-off-iron-man-3-specialty-suits/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

New Marvel Heroes trailer shows off Iron Man 3 specialty suits
Marvel fans are well aware that Iron Man 3 released today, but did they know that after heading to the theaters to watch the hero in action, they can jump into Marvel Heroes tonight to live it? During this weekend's open beta from Friday, May 3rd at 10:00 p.m. EDT until Monday, May 6th at 1:00 p.m. EDT, players can suit up as Stark's alter-ego in a variety of suits from both the comics and all three movies.

Not sure if you prefer the classic-looking Mark 42, the stealthy Mark 16, the sub-orbital Mark 39? If artillery or speed is more your style, there's also the Mark 17 and the Mark 40, respectively. Check out a demonstration of all the suits and their specialty powers in the new trailer after the break.

[Source: Gazillion Entertainment press release]

Continue reading New Marvel Heroes trailer shows off Iron Man 3 specialty suits

MassivelyNew Marvel Heroes trailer shows off Iron Man 3 specialty suits originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmof2pfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentIron-Man-3marvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemuonew-armoropen-betaopen-beta-weekendsecret-identityspecialty-suitssuperherosuperheroestrailervideoFri, 03 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Super news, super review]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/a-mild-mannered-reporter-super-news-super-review/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/a-mild-mannered-reporter-super-news-super-review/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/a-mild-mannered-reporter-super-news-super-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Incidentally, I want to visit a screen door factory.
It's been a fairly quiet month on the superhero front, which is the way of things. Some months it seems as if you can't go a day without a new launch; others you realize belatedly that it's the end of the month because another round of bills are due. Possibly including subscription fees. It all ties together.

Of course, the superhero arena has been quiet for a little while now, but we're seeing signs of life cropping up once again. There are titles in development, new content approaching, and a launch in about a month that should really be getting a bit more marketing support. That's a topic for another article.

So as we do once per month at A Mild-Mannered Reporter, it's time to look back over the past month or so and talk about the news stories that have cropped up relating to the genre of men and women in spandex punching robots.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Super news, super review

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Super news, super review originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reporteractionaction-mmocity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohconsoleconsolescovcoxdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuof2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreedomgazilliongazillion-entertainmentheroes-and-villainsinfinite-crisismarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemild-mannered-reportermuoncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiosplan-z-virtual-studioplaystation-3playstation3ps3secret-identitysoesony-online-entertainmentsuperherosuperhero-genresuperheroesturbineturbine-entertainmentWed, 01 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvel Heroes gets an open beta weekend in honor of Iron Man 3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/marvel-heroes-gets-an-open-beta-weekend-in-honor-of-iron-man-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/marvel-heroes-gets-an-open-beta-weekend-in-honor-of-iron-man-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/marvel-heroes-gets-an-open-beta-weekend-in-honor-of-iron-man-3/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Marvel Heroes gets open beta weekend in honor of Iron Man 3
Gazillion Entertainment is celebrating the upcoming release of the Iron Man 3 movie by throwing the doors of Marvel Heroes open for a beta weekend. From Friday, May 3rd, until Monday the 6th, players will be able to hop into the game and give it a test. As a special bonus, new players will be able to choose from some of the iconic Avengers as their starting hero. That perk will only last for the weekend.

You can take a look at the game in the villains trailer that we've conveniently tucked under the cut.

[Source: Gazillion Entertainment press release]

Continue reading Marvel Heroes gets an open beta weekend in honor of Iron Man 3

MassivelyMarvel Heroes gets an open beta weekend in honor of Iron Man 3 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmoavengersbetabeta-testf2pfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentiron-maniron-man-3marvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemuoobtopen-betasecret-identitysuperherosuperheroesthe-avengersTue, 30 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvel Heroes will allow purchase of heroes, costumes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/marvel-heroes-will-allow-purchase-of-heroes-costumes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/marvel-heroes-will-allow-purchase-of-heroes-costumes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/marvel-heroes-will-allow-purchase-of-heroes-costumes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Marvel Heroes will allow purchase of heroes, costumes
Who says developers don't listen? Gazillion Entertainment has reversed course on its decision to change the in-game content purchasing system of Marvel Heroes due to feedback from the community. Announced at PAX East, the change would have made heroes random rewards from in-game items only. Marvel Heroes fans, however, weren't supportive of the change, and the studio will go ahead with the original plan to allow players to buy specific heroes and costumes after the game officially launches June 4th.

[Source: Gazillion Entertainment press release]

MassivelyMarvel Heroes will allow purchase of heroes, costumes originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmobuying-heroesf2pfree-to-playgazillionGazillion-changes-its-mindgazillion-entertainmentmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemuosecret-identitysuperherosuperheroesTue, 16 Apr 2013 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: A super month in super news]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/a-mild-mannered-reporter-a-super-month-in-super-news/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/a-mild-mannered-reporter-a-super-month-in-super-news/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/a-mild-mannered-reporter-a-super-month-in-super-news/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

For the record, I was disappointed by the 4/1 jokes this year.
Having spent the last couple of weeks systematically irritating the makers of every superheroic MMO currently on the market, I think now seems like a perfect time to go trawling for recent news and views. Especially since I am writing this on April 1st to meet my deadline, so there's a day-long moratorium on any real news being posted. (That Kickstarter of ours is very real, though. You need to give us money right now.)

Of course, the big news was a completely unexpected announcement that came out right after PAX East concluded: Another challenger is entering the arena, and it's something no one could have seen coming without insider information. Meanwhile, Marvel Heroes announced its launch date days after I had speculated on what that might be, and Champions Online is gearing up to kick off another event. So let's get talking about all the superhero news that's been going down since the last roundup.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: A super month in super news

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: A super month in super news originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reporteractionaction-mmochampionschampions-onlinechampscocrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentinfinite-crisismarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemild-mannered-reportermobamuoopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwesecret-identitysuperherosuperhero-genresuperheroesturbineturbine-entertainmentwarner-brosWed, 03 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2013: Hands-on with Marvel Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/28/pax-east-2013-hands-on-with-marvel-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/28/pax-east-2013-hands-on-with-marvel-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/28/pax-east-2013-hands-on-with-marvel-heroes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PAX East 2013 Handson with Marvel Heroes
Gazillion Entertainment made a splash at PAX East, arriving with the big announcement that Marvel Heroes will be launching on June 4th. In addition, the team gave new details about endgame content, PvP, and special "ultimate powers" for each hero.

During the convention, Massively had a chance to sit down with VP of marketing Leo Olebe and CEO David Brevik to get a look at the state of the game, including some brand-new content that the devs have just added to Marvel Heroes. What did we see during our hands-on with the game? Let's just say that rampaging dinosaurs and "Hulk Smash" were but the tip of the iceberg.

Gallery: Marvel Heroes

Continue reading PAX East 2013: Hands-on with Marvel Heroes

MassivelyPAX East 2013: Hands-on with Marvel Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmoconconventiondave-brevikeventevent-coverageeventsexpof2pfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygazilliongazillion-entertainmenthands-oninterviewinterviewsleo-olebemarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemassively-event-coveragemuopaxpax-2013pax-eastpax-east-2013penny-arcade-expopreviewpreviewsscreenshotscreenshotssecret-identitysuperherosuperheroesThu, 28 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2013: Marvel Heroes releases June 4th, will have PvP on launch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/22/pax-east-2013-marvel-heroes-releases-june-4th-will-have-pvp-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/22/pax-east-2013-marvel-heroes-releases-june-4th-will-have-pvp-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/22/pax-east-2013-marvel-heroes-releases-june-4th-will-have-pvp-on/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Marvel Heroes releases June 4, will have PvP on launch
The news from PAX East 2013 keeps on flowing. Gazillion Entertainment has announced that Marvel Heroes will officially launch on June 4th, with early access early access starting May 28th for owners of the Founders pack. For those of you who just can't wait until the early access or launch, closed beta is still ongoing and has been expanded to include owners of the Premium pack.

At the PAX East panel, Gazillion also confirmed that PvP will be available at launch and talked about endgame content in the form of boss runs and "ultimate powers."

Massively's intrepid PAX East team will be meeting with Gazillion to talk about Marvel Heroes, so stay tuned for more information.

[Update: We've updated this post with the new villain trainer after the break!]

Continue reading PAX East 2013: Marvel Heroes releases June 4th, will have PvP on launch

MassivelyPAX East 2013: Marvel Heroes releases June 4th, will have PvP on launch originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmoconconventioneventevent-coverageeventsexpof2pfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemassively-event-coveragemuopaxpax-2013pax-eastpax-east-2013penny-arcade-exposecret-identitysuperherosuperheroestrailertrailersvideovideosFri, 22 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: What's the problem with Marvel Heroes?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/a-mild-mannered-reporter-whats-the-problem-with-marvel-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/a-mild-mannered-reporter-whats-the-problem-with-marvel-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/a-mild-mannered-reporter-whats-the-problem-with-marvel-heroes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I got nothin' on this header. Just read some of the later alt text.
Marvel Heroes is going to release soon. Maybe. Probably? It's hard to say. We have a release window for the game but not a large amount of evidence that the game is actually moving toward that release window; there are beta updates but no clear signs that the game's open beta will be coming soon. That's a bit duplicitous for people already asked to purchase the game's high-end item packs, but that's a strategy employed by more than a couple of games now, so I'm not going to be too harsh about that.

Or maybe I am, seeing as how the game is asking you to spend a lot of money sight unseen when it has some pretty stiff competition out already. I'm increasingly of the mind that Marvel Heroes is taking a hard sell and making it endlessly harder by launching into the teeth of other games without a solid strategy. Worse yet, it might be far too late for the game to change anything for the better in a significant fashion.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: What's the problem with Marvel Heroes?

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: What's the problem with Marvel Heroes? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reporteractionaction-mmocompetitiondiablodiablo-roguelikef2pfeaturedfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgazilliongazillion-entertainmentmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemild-mannered-reportermuoopinionqualityrantroguelikesecret-identitysuperherosuperhero-genresuperheroesWed, 20 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A door to the Marvel world: David Brevik talks Marvel Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/a-door-to-the-marvel-world-david-brevik-talks-marvel-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/a-door-to-the-marvel-world-david-brevik-talks-marvel-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/a-door-to-the-marvel-world-david-brevik-talks-marvel-heroes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Massively Interview David Brevik talks Marvel Heroes
Marvel Heroes is an upcoming action RPG that allows players to sling web justice as Spider-Man or just throw a stress-relieving tantrum as the Hulk. Whatever your favorite alter-ego, the upcoming free-to-play game hopes to be a refreshing addition to the isometric genre.

At a recent press event in San Francisco, I sat down with David Brevik, President and CEO of Gazillion Entertainment, to scope out the influence of Diablo vs. the Marvel Universe and whether we'll see the PvP fans are hoping for.

Gallery: Marvel Heroes

Continue reading A door to the Marvel world: David Brevik talks Marvel Heroes

MassivelyA door to the Marvel world: David Brevik talks Marvel Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmobrian-michael-bendisdavid-brebikdiablof2pfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygazilliongazillion-entertainmentinterviewinterviewsisometricmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemuopreviewpreviewsscreenshotscreenshotssecret-identitysuperherosuperheroesFri, 15 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on with Marvel Heroes' combat, events, and crafting]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/hands-on-with-marvel-heroes-combat-events-and-crafting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/hands-on-with-marvel-heroes-combat-events-and-crafting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/hands-on-with-marvel-heroes-combat-events-and-crafting/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Handson with Marvel Heroes
This has been a hard year on mice. Diablo III, Torchlight 2, Path of Exile, and now another click-fest is in the works: Marvel Heroes. This new free-to-play addition to the isometric family will put you in the shoes of classic heroes such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk, Storm, Wolverine, and many more from the Marvel roster. Just when my index finger was starting to forgive me!

To better understand how much danger my mouse and finger were in, I traveled down to Gazillion Entertainment for some hands-on time with a few of my favorite comic wonders. Is Marvel Heroes is bringing more than just tights to the table?

Continue reading Hands-on with Marvel Heroes' combat, events, and crafting

MassivelyHands-on with Marvel Heroes' combat, events, and crafting originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmobrian-michael-bendisdavid-brevikf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmenthands-oninterviewinterviewsmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemuosecret-identitysuperherosuperheroesThu, 14 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvel Heroes shows off Iron Man in action]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/marvel-heroes-shows-off-iron-man-in-action/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/marvel-heroes-shows-off-iron-man-in-action/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/marvel-heroes-shows-off-iron-man-in-action/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Iron Man is my favorite hero mostly because his arch-nemesis is Iron Man.
Everyone wants to pretend to be Iron Man. You've got all of the ingredients of greatness: a crippling alcohol problem, a problem with authority, a tendency toward self-destruction... wait, those parts aren't cool. So perhaps it's for the best that Marvel Heroes focuses instead on the fun parts of Iron Man, wherein you have totally awesome power armor and the ability to fly. The latest trailer for the game cashes in on excitement for the upcoming movie, showing off everything that you can do inside the suit.

All of the standard Iron Man powers are on display, ranging from repulsor beams to flight to force fields. But which version of the armor do you have to use? Whichever one you want, as the game sports variants ranging from the original Iron Man armor up to ones lifted from the upcoming film. But you don't have to take our word for it, as you can watch the full video just past the break.

Continue reading Marvel Heroes shows off Iron Man in action

MassivelyMarvel Heroes shows off Iron Man in action originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 09 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmobig-shiny-death-beamscostumesf2pfree-to-playgameplaygazilliongazillion-entertainmentiron-manmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemoviemuosecret-identitysuperherosuperheroesupcoming-movievideovideosSat, 09 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: News from around the superheroic world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/a-mild-mannered-reporter-news-from-around-the-superheroic-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/a-mild-mannered-reporter-news-from-around-the-superheroic-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/a-mild-mannered-reporter-news-from-around-the-superheroic-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Gotta get this header thing settled. Seriously.
I've been talking about superhero games in the conceptual state over the past few weeks, which has been great for those of us who really enjoy that sort of thing. (I also got some very nice feedback from the folks at Missing Worlds Media regarding last week's article, so that's also keen.) But there are two titles in the genre already out, plus one that's not yet out but is rapidly approaching launch. So rather than speak in the abstract, let's talk about the news in review, yes?

Marvel Heroes has been making the biggest waves recently with a major beta update that trimmed up systems, changed statistics, and revamped crafting extensively. Champions Online's latest event became a point of some contention when the finale was swapped from being a high-end event to being something for everybody. And DC Universe Online waited until I had just wrapped up my month in the game to launch a big update including housing. So in no particular order, let's talk about all of this.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: News from around the superheroic world

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: News from around the superheroic world originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reporteractionaction-mmochampionschampions-onlinechampscoconsoleconsolescrypticcryptic-studiosdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuof2pfeaturedfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemild-mannered-reportermuonewsnews-roundupopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentplaystation-3playstation3ps3pwesecret-identitysoesony-online-entertainmentsuperherosuperhero-genresuperheroesWed, 27 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blow up all the things in the new Marvel Heroes trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/blow-up-all-the-things-in-the-new-marvel-heroes-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/blow-up-all-the-things-in-the-new-marvel-heroes-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/blow-up-all-the-things-in-the-new-marvel-heroes-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Fish-man-things need to blow things up too!
Have you ever found yourself playing a game and thought that while it's fun, it would be much better if you could just destroy everything around you with controlled explosions? If so, you may be Michael Bay, but regardless of your secret identity, you can enjoy the latest Marvel Heroes trailer, in which that is exactly what happens. This trailer is not about fine details of gameplay; it's about superhuman beings wreaking destruction all over the place.

While the trailer clocks in at only about a minute, it certainly finds many things to make explode, including cars, streets, and in one particularly baffling instance, a portable toilet. (The Thing has powers that we weren't aware of, such as turning a toilet into an explosive device.) But don't take our distinctly non-poetic word for it; jump on past the break to watch the trailer and revel in the destruction yourself. Complete with classic and appropriate music.

Continue reading Blow up all the things in the new Marvel Heroes trailer

MassivelyBlow up all the things in the new Marvel Heroes trailer originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmoalso-explosionsdestructionenvironmentenvironment-destructionexplosionsf2pfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemayhemmuosecret-identitystuff-blows-upsuperherosuperheroesvideovideosThu, 21 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Brushing up on Marvel Heroes' super-sized beta update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/brushing-up-on-marvel-heroes-super-sized-beta-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/brushing-up-on-marvel-heroes-super-sized-beta-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/brushing-up-on-marvel-heroes-super-sized-beta-update/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Brushing up on Marvel Heroes' supersized beta update
While we've had several occasions to check out Marvel Heroes' journey through the beta process, Gazillion Entertainment wanted us to know that our previous glimpses are now obsolete. The makers of this superhero action-RPG have implemented a major beta update that has virtually transformed the look, feel, and function of the game.

We spoke with Gazillion about the update, which clearly is a major step toward a finalized release version. The most obvious change to Marvel Heroes is a revamp of its user interface. The UI has been streamlined and modernized, with a crisper look and more color overall. The placeholder minimap has been scrapped and replaced with a new radar that functions in perspective, a friends list is now in place, and new arrow icons float around the edges of your screen to direct you to nearby events. And since loot is quite vital to the appeal of the game, the devs made sure to color-code all of the icons so that telling item rarity is an instant and effortless process.

There are a few more surprises that were announced today, so hit the jump and we'll walk you through them!

Continue reading Brushing up on Marvel Heroes' super-sized beta update

MassivelyBrushing up on Marvel Heroes' super-sized beta update originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmobetacolossuscraftingcyclopsdavid-brevikf2pfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentiron-manmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemuopreviewsecret-identityspider-manspidermansuperherosuperheroesthoruivideoThu, 14 Feb 2013 12:00:00 EST