Electronic Arts and Marvel Join Forces
2/6/2004 at 11:32 PM
The two companies entered a partnership that will eventually bring forth fighting games featuring Marvel Super Heroes and EA's own created brawlers.
Electronic Arts (EA) and Marvel Enterprises, Inc. announced today that they have entered into an agreement, in which EA will develop fighting video games pitting Marvel Universe Super Heroes against an original cast of EA heroes. Electronic Arts has been granted a license to develop and distribute fighting games featuring the Marvel Super Heroes as part of the multi-year agreement.
In turn, EA has granted Marvel the exclusive rights as worldwide licensing agent for all consumer products and media licensing for the new EA heroes. Marvel will be publishing new comic books featuring these yet revealed EA heroes.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for EA to create new characters for fighting games that can be exploited through our global merchandise licensing machine to fuel sales in many other product categories,” said Allen Lipson, President and CEO of Marvel Enterprises.
“It’s a unique opportunity, partnering with Marvel to bring their renowned Super Heroes into original videogame environments, as well as providing us an opportunity to create new heroes that will live in games, comic books and other licensing or media opportunities that Marvel presents,” said John Riccitiello, President and COO for Electronic Arts. “Fans of both traditional Marvel comics as well as video games have a lot to be excited about as they will be able to fight it out between established Marvel Super Heroes and EA’s new heroes in original scenarios,” added Riccitiello.
The presently unnamed fighting games featuring Marvel and EA Super Heroes are currently being developed at EA’s British Columbian studio, EAC. The games are planned for release on multiple platforms, which includes all current and next generation gaming consoles, handheld devices, and PCs. No specific release dates or other information was given, but expect to hear and see more at the E3 Expo in May.
