Marvel Universe Online officially offline
Microsoft Games Studios head Shane Kim confirms the ambitious Cryptic-developed 360-Vista massively multiplayer superhero game "has been discontinued."
In July 2006, Microsoft and Marvel Entertainment announced they were developing an ambitious project, Marvel Universe Online. The title was the first massively multiplayer online role-playing game designed for cross-play between Xbox 360 and Windows Vista, and the first MMORPG to feature characters from the Marvel Comics universe. As outlined in a GameSpot interview, Marvel Universe Online also marked the first collaboration between Marvel and developer Cryptic Studios after they settled a nasty legal flap over Marvel-esque characters in City of Heroes and City of Villains.
But following the high-profile announcements of 2006, the flow of information about Marvel Universe Online was shut off in 2007. Unconfirmed reports swirled that the project had been quietly canceled, even though official inquiries were greeted by Microsoft's standard refrain, "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation." However, the wall of silence broke at last week's D.I.C.E. Summit, when Microsoft Game Studios head Shane Kim told GameSpot that Marvel Universe Online is permanently offline.
"Microsoft and Marvel have decided to discontinue that project," the executive told GameSpot. "It was a mutual decision." Kim did not go into further detail about the game's cancellation.
The demise of Marvel Universe Online leaves Sony Online Entertainment's even more mystery-shrouded DC Comics PC and PlayStation 3 project as the highest-profile officially sanctioned comic-book massively multiplayer game in development. (City of Heroes and City of Villains, which feature character-created superhero characters, remain online.) It also comes shortly after Marvel ended its agreement with Electronic Arts to codevelop a fighting game. The company still has longstanding agreements with Activision and Sega to develop non-MMOG games based on its iconic characters.
Related Movies
Featured Game
Developer: Cryptic Studios
Genre: Sci-Fi Online Role-Playing
Platform: X360
Release Date: Canceled
Related Games
Latest News
Latest Entertainment Headlines
Daisies' Pace joins Duchovny, Shalhoub, Sheen for Emmy nomination finalists; Britney "snubbed" from guest spot honors.
News Features
Featured Stories
Sony patents new motion-control, touch-screen tech
USPTO applications detail alternative input schemes for "handheld electronic devices."Newsmakers
Q&A: FIFA Soccer 09
FIFA 09 producer David Rutter on new gameplay additions, expanding Be a Pro, whether Australia's A-League is back in the mix, and a possible PS3-exclusive mode.

Watch it now!




277 Comments
interesting. Dc and Marvel have chosen sides in the console war.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
if you want to watch the video, go to youtube because it glitches on the website
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
its ok everyone. cryptic studio is still making a superhero MMORPG for the 360. its called "champions online". go to "champions-online.com"
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
way too sad
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
really sad
marvel rocks
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
If it was going to be CoH/CoV clone, I would have canceled it too. -CoH/CoV is more than enough to meet the super hero MMO fix.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
That sucks rocks. Hopfully Sony and there Playstation3 will pick this up. Yet other let down by the world leader in let downs Microsoft Games Studios.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
this blows
'Nuff said
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
man i wanted to be the hulk =( now hulk sad
Login to rate this comment
/ (+2)
Why oh why??? This game would of had me calling off from work so many days. But oh well. Now I gotta wait and see if DC does a somewhat decent game with the PS3. Blegh!!! Marvel rocks!!!! 'Nuff Said.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+2)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
my dreams
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
Got to be that no good idiot Quesada at Marvel. He f*#^$ everything up!
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Why? That game would've rocked!
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
damn this wouldve been a good game i wouldve buoght i love marvel!!!!!! nemesis was was of ma favorites..with magneto!!! it was hot...but i guess not with this one..since is off now....hopefully they will change their minds again and make it....
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
Damn. This would have pulled me into the MMORPG genre finally... What a shame, it sounded great...
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Lame, I would have bought this game.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Dammit.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
this game would have actually made me use my 360 rather than just have it collecting dust behind my tv.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+3)
Interesting that everyone blames MS for this ... no one's here shouting "Damn you Marvel!"
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
I was looking forward to this
sad news
DAMN Microsoft
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
NO man this sucks MUO would have been great but oh well .
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
wow...that is the biggest bs ever, it would have been a good game and made millions....gj ms
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Congrats on letting down comic book/super hero fans everywhere..you suck microsoft.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+2)
Could had potential but I guess, not anymore.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+2)
I was looking forward to this game! Damn you Microsoft!!!
Login to rate this comment
/ (+2)
blahh i read this bcause im bored
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
thank the gods! this game would have turned out same as City of Heroes/Villains
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
I was looking forward to this game, too bad.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
u.u acyually I was expecting this gameTT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
didn't M$ say earlier that a major first party title would be canned?
Anyway this sucks. That was actually a good idea
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
With Marvel produing the majority of their movies that are coming out in the next 2-5 years, it makes me wonder if maybe they aren't canceling this game so that they can make it themselves later on. They've already canceled their deal with EA to make fighting games.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
So let me get this right... they sue the crap out of Cryptic Studios and NCSoft because people might be able to make similar characters to existing ones in the Marvel Universe and the argument they used in court was that it would detract from sales of their upcoming MMO... wtf?? So does this mean Cryptic Studios and NCSoft can have the court decision reversed... lol.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
Well, now we know what it is. Though I figured it was gonna be this, and not something else. Everything else major first party couldn't get canned. Just how it worked out.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
That sucks! I'm not a big MMO player, but I would have played this one. Who doesn't love Marvel Comics? Almost everyone I know, that is into gaming, loves comics. C'mon, we know M$ has the $ to back this one, and it would be sure to sell. As long as it doesn't have a subscription fee attached.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+3)
**** that sux, sounded awsome
Login to rate this comment
/ (+3)
Mmmm, that sounded like it had potential
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
shoot, I was really wanting to get this game too
Login to rate this comment
/ (-1)
I was so looking forward to this. I agree with the other posters saying the superhero stuff is more interesting then lord of the rings or dare I say WoW. Even though i prefer Marvel, I guess there's still the DC one to look forward to. Only thing that could make this better is if City of Heroes/Villains comes to a console. That would be awesome.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
In my opinion it was quite over ambitious and could have caused them a lot of problems keeping it up and running.
So maybe it's for the best that they cancelled it.
Login to rate this comment
/ (-2)
spasticus162 said: "Im guessing microsoft wanted this game to be playable without monthly charges and marvel got pi**ed."
Are you nuts! MS wanted to charge for playing Halo 2 Vista online when PC standard for online shooters had been free to play for years. If anything, it was the other way around, but I doubt that was the cause at all.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+2)
everyone keeps saying its a crowded market(mmorpg)
On pc i agree. But me and many 360 owners were looking forward to this.
Im guessing microsoft wanted this game to be playable without monthly charges and marvel got pi**ed.
I know the monthly charges put me off final fantasy xi and if i dont like it i cant trade it in.
tis a damn shame.
superheroes are way cooler than all this lord of the rings sh*t.
Login to rate this comment
/ (-2)
i wanted that game o well
Login to rate this comment
/ (-3)
everyone keeps saying its a crowded market(mmorpg)
On pc i agree. But me and many 360 owners were looking forward to this.
Im guessing microsoft wanted this game to be playable without monthly charges and marvel got pi**ed.
I know the monthly charges put me off final fantasy xi and if i dont like it i cant trade it in.
tis a damn shame.
superheroes are way cooler than all this lord of the rings sh*t.
Login to rate this comment
/ (-2)
damn that sucks i wanted to play that. but o well i guess.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
andrew_ribbons
wait whats that? mass effect going to pc? shame shame shame
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
i expected it, it's a nice thought but how do-able is it at the end of the day ... really quite questionable.
Login to rate this comment
/ (+1)
I was really looking forward to this and now I'm pissed. I wanna know who's fault this is.
Login to rate this comment
/ (-2)
Loucetios: Yep and all those wonderful things about PSN. What's this? You don't have Mass Effect DLC content coming your way soon? Oh shame. Shame shame shame. Hah.
Login to rate this comment
/ (-2)
No More Heros for Vista and 360....
Login to rate this comment
/ (+3)