Super Hero Squad Online

Voice-acting in MMOs seems to be all the rage these days, and Gazillion Entertainment, publisher of the free-to-play Super Hero Squad Online, seems to be jumping on the bandwagon. In a press release today, the company announced that each and every hero and villain in the game will be receiving a full vocal makeover, and many characters will be voiced by the same actors who provide voice work for the Super Hero Squad television series.

Jay Minn, vice president of The Amazing Society -- the development studio behind the games -- is obviously quite pleased with the decision to give voice to the game's dozens of characters, stating that "the heroes and villains in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online have always had their own unique personalities and attitudes... We're excited and very proud to let our heroes and villains speak their minds!" The statement adds that the game currently includes over 3000 lines of spoken dialogue (with over 100 attributed to everyone's favorite Merc with a Mouth), so players can expect plenty of witty quips from their characters of choice.

To get in the game and hear the new voiceovers for yourself, just click on through the link below to Super Hero Squad Online's official site.

[Source: Gazillion Entertainment press release]

We all know that creating an MMORPG is a daunting task. But what is it like trying to create an MMORPG for kids? Jason Robar, vice president and general manager of Gazillion Entertainment, sat down with Gamasutra recently to answer that very question. Robar states that the principal priority when creating a kids' MMO -- such as the studio's Super Hero Squad Online -- is the safety of the game's younger players. He also elaborates on the difficulties of making a game that's fun to kids and still interesting to parents who log in with their children.

For the full interview, just click on through the link below.

Have you ever wanted to have the Nova Force all to yourself? Well, you're in luck, as Gazillion has announced that everyone's favorite space cop is coming to Super Hero Squad Online. To get a look at what Nova's bringing to the game, jump past the cut and check out his announcement trailer. Then head over to the game's official site and join the mayhem.

[Source: Gazillion press release]

Time to assemble your heroes, Super Hero Squad Online players! A few new heroes are joining the ranks of SHSO's characters. Players can now take on the role of the telekinetic Psylocke, the arcane master Doctor Strange, and the quasi-vampiric vampire-hunter Blade. We've also got some new screenshots of the recently announced Challenge System, so head on to the gallery below to check out some shots of the new heroes and the Challenge System interface. And to get in on the action yourself, just fly, swing, or teleport your way to the game's official site.

[Source: Gazillion Entertainment press release]

Roar! Black Panther leaps into Super Hero Squad Online with a set of new screenshots and a new trailer. So if you'd prefer the agile, cat-like martial arts of the King of Wakanda over the brute-force style of Gladiator Hulk, you're in luck. Players can hop into the shoes of T'Challa and show their claws starting now!

Black Panther joins the other recent additions to SHSO, standing toe-to-toe with Thor and Gladiator Hulk in the newly introduced Asgard. For the new screenshots of everyone's favorite African ruler/super-hero, you can check out the SHSO gallery below. After you're done ogling, jump past the cut for Black Panther's new trailer.

Hail, emperor, we who are about to SMASH salute you! Gazillion Entertainment announced today that a new warrior has entered the Super Hero Squad Online Colosseum. Gladiator Hulk (who was actually introduced in the Asgard update) looks smashing (ah ha ha) in his gladiator's armor and is ready to dominate the arenas and smash some skulls.

In addition to introducing the new combatant, Gazillion says that the game has been updated with extra missions for players to come, see, and conquer. For a look at Gladiator Hulk in action, you can check out the gallery below or jump on past the cut for a trailer showcasing Hulkimus Maximus going Roman on some unfortunate souls. And of course, to join the fray you can click on over to the Super Hero Squad Online official site.