Sega teaming with Marvel for Iron Man tie-ins

[Doctor Oak]

Sega has signed a deal with Marvel to exclusively bring Iron Man - both the movie and classic comic book iterations - to the videogame screens of many (although this doesn't include games that include Iron Man as a character alongside others).

The movie deal is boring, to be honest, as a game on that is as predictable as day turning to night. Though, with Sega on it, i'm slightly more enthusiastic than I would be for an EA tie-in.

More interesting is the possibility outlined in this of there being a more classic Iron Man game as well. Though, hopefully it would turn out better than Ultimate Spider-Man. (Speaking of which, the press release specifically mentions "classic comics", so i'm unsure if Ultimate Iron Man is covered).

The deal is for a number of years, though it isn't specific (Five is most likely, as this is often the largest contract signed for such deals [i.e: The general life-span of a system Generation]).

The Press Release in full:

SEGA TEAMS WITH MARVEL TO BRING IRON MAN TO NEXT-GENERATION GAMING SYSTEMS

Marvel's First Self-Financed Film is Making the Leap to Next-Gen Gaming Platforms

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (November 6, 2006) – SEGA® Europe Ltd, SEGA® of America Inc. and Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: MVL) announced today that they have entered into a worldwide licensing agreement whereby SEGA has secured the exclusive rights to develop and distribute video game titles for all platforms based on Marvel’s renowned Iron Man property. Under the multi-year agreement, SEGA has been granted the exclusive interactive rights to develop and distribute games based on both Marvel‘s Iron Man feature films and the classic comic book iterations of the character. The Iron Man agreement represents the first step in a strategic partnership between Marvel and SEGA to bring at least one additional Marvel Super Hero property to next-gen platforms.

The first Iron Man project produced under the license agreement will be based on Marvel Studios' highly-anticipated Iron Man feature film starring Academy Award® Nominees Robert Downey Jr. and Terrence Howard, and directed by Jon Favreau. This project, the first feature film to be produced independently by Marvel Entertainment, will blast into theaters May 2, 2008.

“Marvel is recognised as one of the world’s leaders in the entertainment industry and SEGA is excited to be publishing the next-gen interactive entertainment based on Iron Man, the first Marvel Studios project being brought to the widescreen,” said Simon Jeffery, President and COO, SEGA of America, Inc. “The Iron Man history is filled with compelling and intriguing characters and stories, and with the power of the next-gen systems, SEGA will be bringing these characters to life like never before.”

David Maisel, Executive Vice President, Office of the Chief Executive of Marvel Entertainment, added, “SEGA is an excellent partner to bring our Iron Man franchise to the next generation consoles. SEGA is a powerful force in the video game space and has always been on the cutting edge of the industry. We are very excited to be bringing Iron Man to theaters in 2008 and to team with a great partner to simultaneously introduce Iron Man to the video game world.”

 

[Lil Brother]

USM game = sucky? ...what now? From what I've heard, it's one of the best comic-based video games ever.

The Ultimate Iron Man mini(s, maybe?) sucked, sucked, sucked. And there was no action whatsoever aside from one or two pages of boring crap, so no game there.

Anyways, Iron Man's pretty boring, aside from his seemingly villian role in Civil War. Why am I posting in this thread, anyway? :/

 

[GrnMarvl14]

Iron Man could be interesting. But...I don't know how. There are a few ideas in my head, but...I'm...not hopeful. We'll see, though. I just hope it's not anime-ish. I want to see a western mecha game.

 

[Doctor Oak]

USM game = sucky? ...what now? From what I've heard, it's one of the best comic-based video games ever.

You heard wrong.

IMO, Iron Man is at his best when he's part of a team like the Avengers or the Ultimates so, ideally, i'd like to see him being a part of a game based on that (Me wants an Ultimates game - or generally just anything set in the Ultiverse).

I just hope that whatever game we see doesn't cock up the Tony Stark/Iron Man balance like Hulk did. Hell, we could even end up with a half action game, half business sim (Or should that be drinking sim?). Though, I guess, if carried off well, could be pretty cool....

 

[GrnMarvl14]

You want Iron Man in a team-based game? Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (ok, I'm not POSITIVE that he's in that game, but I don't see why not). OR he's an unlockable character in X-Men: Legends II (not that hard to unlock, just takes a little while).

And, actually, the best storyline for an Iron Man solo game would be in the regular Marvel Universe (Armor Wars would be perfect. He fought a few dozen heroes and villains in his massive craziness).

 

[Doctor Oak]

Iron Man is in Ultimate Alliance, and he's ok in it - but as with pretty much every character in the game, he's not really built upon 'cause the focus is on you picking a team of whomever you wish.

I'd hope that an Avengers or Ultimates game or something in the same vein would focus more on the characters themselves, and thus actually give us some proper Iron Man personality (As well as the others) to enjoy as part of a story. As well as being able to kick ass in a big red metal suit.

 

[Zeta]

Ever play SEGA's astro boy? You fly around a futuristic city using super senses and an arsenal of various weapons to do super-stuff, like toss around evil robots like they were nothing. They could just take that engine and alter it slightly and make it more realistic and BOOM - you have an IM videogame.