THE COMIC-BOOK FORMAT IS TOUGH TO RECAPTURE IN GAMES… COULD MARVEL’S AVENGERS MANAGE IT?
Could gaming have an evolving comic-book world without waiting years between releases?
There’s a big difference between how we interact with comic books and how we do with videogames. Take the current series of Nightwing, which comes out twice a month with a constantly evolving storyline.
Sometimes it’ll be thrilling character-defining twists and turns, sometimes Nightwing will end up teaming up with Robin or Batgirl, sometimes it’s just a filler excuse to spend more time with the core Nightwing characters.
Videogames and movies can’t really compete, just because they take so very long to make. That’s the genius of the Marvel Cinematic
Universe and largely why it’s been so successful – it converts multiple blockbusters into a connected world with something like three whole movies a year at its peak. The way videogame development works, and the way you play games, means you can’t really replicate that very easily.
COMIC ACTS
Except, well, there’s one thing videogames can do that those other media can’t, something that’s led to a massive sub-category of gaming over the PS4 generation: games can constantly evolve and update, in the form of live games. And, if it delivers, Marvel’s Avengers could be the first game to really get the appeal of the ongoing comic-book series and package it into a game in a way that makes complete sense.
Ms. Marvel’s initial story arc has come to a close but the stage is set for many more adventures in future: two Hawkeyes, Black Panther, Ms. Marvel, Ant-Man, and loads more have had direct nods. Once a month, or once every couple, you’ll hopefully be able to check in for substantial updates to the ongoing world.
While Rocksteady is playing its cards close to its chest with regards to Suicide Squad, could Gotham Knights go the same way? We’ve already seen supervillains taking over parts of the city in the online two-player co-op game. Could more threats to Gotham be added over time? Don’t get me wrong, I adore Marvel’s Spider-Man and the Arkhamverse, but I’d love a superhero game that could get me to come back for new adventures – and no time’s better for that than now.