New XCOM-Like Marvel Avengers Game Is Fun Even If You Don't Pay, Disney Says

Disney today released a new Marvel game on Facebook called Marvel: Avengers Alliance Tactics. It's the latest entry in the Avengers Alliance series that has already attracted some 70 million players to date.

As you can see in the image above, the squad-based RPG bears a resemblance to the popular XCOM series, and sees you taking on the role of a S.H.I.E.L.D. commander who must recruit a team of superheroes to defend Earth. The roster is 20 characters deep, including the likes of Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America, as well as unlockable heroes like Loki and Task Master.

Disney says Marvel: Avengers Alliance will follow the Marvel: Avengers Alliance content release model, in that the company will release story and character expansions on a regular basis. You'll also be able to upgrade your heroes' powers throughout gameplay or by spending real-world money.

To go deeper about Marvel: Avengers Alliance Tactics, we caught up with Disney executive producer Gabe Brown. You can read our full Q&A below. You can play Marvel: Avengers Alliance Tactics today for free on Facebook.

GameSpot: A lot of gamers might see 'Facebook game' and let out a sigh. Can you explain why you decided to choose Facebook as the platform for this game?

Gabe Brown: Facebook is a great platform for fans to play with their friends. Similar to Marvel: Avengers Alliance, we wanted to bring fresh and fun gameplay to where our players are. One advantage of running a game on Facebook is the speed and pace with which we can provide more content and features for our player base to enjoy.

GS: Do you have plans to roll this out for iOS and Android some day?

GB: We're constantly looking at what are the best platforms for our games and we've certainly considered it.

GS: What about consoles like the Xbox One or PlayStation 4, both of which play nice with free­-to-­play games?

"Our team are inspired by a lot of classic Tactics games throughout history. XCOM, Disgaea, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Jagged Alliance to name just a few" -- Executive producer Gabe Brown

GB: We're excited about the potential of free-to-play games on console and Steam; we're focusing on where our players are first before expanding to other platforms.

GS: The game's top-­down perspective reminds me a lot of XCOM: Enemy Unknown; was this game an inspiration for you when working on Alliance Tactics?

GB: Our team are inspired by a lot of classic Tactics games throughout history. XCOM, Disgaea, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Jagged Alliance to name just a few. It's really exciting for us as a team to bring these classic games we played growing up to life into a brand new experience with Marvel super heroes!

GS: The turn-­based strategy genre seems to be making a comeback of late; why do you think that is?

GB: The turn-based strategy genre has started making a comeback thanks to games becoming much more approachable. Avengers Alliance really made it possible for many people to pick up and learn how to play an RPG. We're doing the same thing with Avengers Alliance Tactics by introducing a tactics game that is approachable and deep in the same way we did with Avengers Alliance.

GS: You say you can recruit and develop characters like Thor and Iron Man individually, but how deep does the customization go?

GB: Recruiting is just the beginning in Tactics! Players can recruit Heroes and Agents, unlock Villains to join their team and manage their progress in a variety of ways. Players will be able to purchase new abilities for the character, upgrade the power of each, and equip them to the character however they like. The number of combinations to outfit your characters are endless and we’re excited to see what combinations our players discover!

GS: Free-to-play and micro­transactions are hot topics today; how did you go about designing the monetization model for Alliance Tactics so that players feel it's a fair offering?

GB: The focus is having fun first! We make sure the game is fun to play without having to pay. We then create shortcuts that let players who want to want to save time or don’t want to wait. So far, it's been a great system that lets us bring Avengers Alliance to the world!

GS: How specifically do microtransactions work in Alliance Tactics?

GB: Similar to Marvel: Avengers Alliance, players can purchase Gold and Silver. They then can use it to purchase just about anything they would want in the game.

GS: Marvel is obviously one of Disney's new crown jewels and they no doubt want to see its legacy remain intact; were some of your ideas reined in, or did you have a significant level of creative freedom to do what you wanted?

GB: We work very closely with our partners at Marvel and collaborate to make the best and most authentic to Marvel game possible. The best products come from having ideas challenged and having the freedom to experiment and we couldn't be happier with the team at Disney and Marvel.

GS: Lastly, could you set up the story for Alliance Tactics?

GB: A mysterious cosmic threat puts Earth in harm's way. Portals call 'incursions' are appearing across the globe. Each of these incursions brings a flood of imposter heroes from imposter universes. As a S.H.I.E.L.D. commander, you must assemble the strongest team possible and work with your friends to eliminate the incursion threat and save your universe from destruction.

Marvel: Avengers Alliance Tactics is available to play today for free on Facebook.