Its not often I’m forced to report something potentially disturbing. However I stumbled across this unnerving chestnut. Hence this is not just a news piece but a serious cry for some positive feedback that may end my nail-biting.
The fact is that Disney bought out Marvel for $4 billion thus giving the family-friendly media giant full access over all of Marvel’s beloved characters. Up until now, Activision, THQ, Sega and Gazillion Entertainment have been publishing most of the Marvel-based games you’ve probably been playing. However this may soon change due to the possibility that Disney are thinking of producing all related games ‘in-house’.
The decision has yet to be made as for now current licensing agreements are still in affect. Robert Iger (CEO of Disney) has yet to officially turn his back on the possibility of continuing to license out Marvel property, this is evident as he was quoted saying,
“On the games front, Marvel have some smart licensing agreements with some of the best manufacturers in the business [..] While we have been steadily moving in the direction of integration, we don’t rule out the blend of licensing and self-produced and distributed video games. As these licensing deals expire we have the luxury of considering what is best for the company and the products.”
Just a heads up: Activision did the recent Wolverine Origins game and Marvel Ultimate Alliance while Sega handled The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man. Sega also currently holds the rights to publish Thor and Captain America whilst THQ work on the Marvel Super Hero Squad games… but I stress, forget that for now and someone please help me keep a positive outlook on the future of games based on some of the world’s favorite super heroes.
Source: mcvuk
Last Updated: September 2, 2009
Geoff
September 2, 2009 at 14:26
I’d really not worry – Disney owns ABS, ESPN, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax films.
Miramax, as you may know is the company that – post Disney acquisition – released films such as Pulp fiction, Clerks, Trainspotting, Kill Bill, There Will Be Blood and other such family-friendly fare.
Disney have further stated that they have no intention of changing the way things are run at Marvel.
Furthermore – and this is something brought to my attention by the always enlightening PillsburyDeeBoy is that there is now a pretty decent chance of Warren Spector – currently employed by disney and developing the Steampunk “Epic Mickey” – producing Marvel based games.
If you have no idea who Warren Spector is, he’s the creative guy ho designed such games as Wing Commander, Ultima, Thief, System Shock and Deus Ex. That possibility alone has me excited for what may come.
Faheem
September 2, 2009 at 15:22
I bow gracefully in thanks to such comforting words… ah the demons of worry and warts have been dispatched by boob-cladded Geoff. :biggrin:
janrik
September 2, 2009 at 15:26
Pure was a Disney game was it not?
and that was fun and well done.
spl0it
September 2, 2009 at 15:28
PURE is published by Disney and its a rocking game
Faheem
September 2, 2009 at 15:34
Yeah and they did all Kevin Smith’s films i think – but those are just awesomely whack cult-classics… although i would love to play a game based on Dogma… you get to hunt down sinners as angels and then battle a sh** demon in a bar as Silent Bob before totally trying to do it with Alanis Morisette (God) and her last Sion while playing horny stoner, Jay.
And the whole time you have these brilliant racist comments being thrown at you from the black 13th apostle, Chris Rock. Lets not forget Salma’s Boobage :happy:
Geoff
September 2, 2009 at 15:39
They do indeed. I did mention clerks in my first comment. 😉
spl0it
September 2, 2009 at 15:42
SNAP
Faheem
September 2, 2009 at 15:43
woops :pinch:
janrik
September 2, 2009 at 15:58
Overlord beats Minion! Whoot! :devil:
Q121
September 2, 2009 at 16:00
I love disney 🙂
:pirate:
Darkling
September 2, 2009 at 16:03
Pirates :pirate: of the Caribbean is also Disney..right?
Faheem
September 2, 2009 at 16:18
Uhm yeah but did you really dig the game? :blink:
Darkling
September 2, 2009 at 16:21
I’m actually talking about the movies,the game was kuk! :ninja:
Faheem
September 2, 2009 at 16:27
oh well in that case yeah they were done by Disney… and yeah the games were kaka – hence my initial concern for the future of marvel games :pirate:
Nick
September 2, 2009 at 17:28
Well they cant do any worse than Sega or Activisions paltry attempts.
Healthy Dinner Recipes
December 10, 2010 at 08:41
That way they can have complete freedom with the newly acquired franchise of characters.Marvel seems a horrible fit for Disneyland Park, and tough for Disney’s California Adventure, given the current renovation plans.