Exclusive: Matthew Paul on Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

Human Torch

Matthew Paul, Activision Producer of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, has been busy doing interviews. We recently covered one interview last time and he’s here with another one. We’re here to give you a summary of the interview.

Regarding the characters, costumes, and locations: variety is the name of the game. According to Matthew, there will be over 140 Marvel Characters and more than 20 Super Heroes will be playable. Besides the “usual” favorites like: Spidey, Cap A, and Wolvie; possible surprising favorites could be Ghost Rider, Human Torch & Dr. Strange could give the faves a run for their money.

All 20 has at least 4 different costumes. As we mentioned last time, costumes are more than eye-candy. Some costumes provide characters with added powers or stats. A great example would be Spidey wearing the black and white costume vs. the ‘ol red and blue tights. Possible locations are the Helicarrier, Atlantis, Skrull homeplanet and Murderworld.

So how did Activision come up with a story that features all these Marvel characters from different worlds? Silver Surfer and Blade, together in a team for example. The writers had an easy time with the core story because of the diverse history behind each superhero. They included combinations of the basic plots in both Secret Wars and major moments in some superhero’s lives. What they found challenging was picking the best parts and including it in the main part of the story. Getting Marvel editor, C.B. Cebulski, made the story more accurate and valid.

The event that draws all these superheroes together is when Nick Fury calls on them for back up against Dr. Doom. They all go to the Helicarrier and, after driving Doom away, search for the reasons behind the attack. The players decisions on some key points in the story will affect the ending or epilogue of the game. A perfect example would be choosing to help Namor. In short, the game’s ending changes. So if you want to see all of them, we suggest you go through the game more than once.

Thanks to the massive graphics engine of new-gen consoles, the characters have life-like details on their costumes and bodies. For instance, Cap A’s steel mesh costume and the Thing’s rocky hide. The superhero effects and environments also gets a large boost thanks to the next-gen graphics engines. It’s like you’re watching a big budget live film rather than a video game.

Regarding consoles. the Wii will have as much content as the PS3 and Xbox 360 does. The only difference will be the controls. With the Wii controller, you can feel like a hero. However, there was no mention how this will be done. The online play will be available. The game will allow four players to either go up against each other, or team up to finish the same mission. At the end of the game, ranking will be the defining factor. There’s no downloadable content right now, but they’ll be thinking about it after the game’s out.

Well, more interviews, the more details we’re getting.

Until then, Make mine Marvel!

Via SSH

Human Torch

Matthew Paul, Activision Producer of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, has been busy doing interviews. We recently covered one interview last time and he’s here with another one. We’re here to give you a summary of the interview.

Regarding the characters, costumes, and locations: variety is the name of the game. According to Matthew, there will be over 140 Marvel Characters and more than 20 Super Heroes will be playable. Besides the “usual” favorites like: Spidey, Cap A, and Wolvie; possible surprising favorites could be Ghost Rider, Human Torch & Dr. Strange could give the faves a run for their money.

All 20 has at least 4 different costumes. As we mentioned last time, costumes are more than eye-candy. Some costumes provide characters with added powers or stats. A great example would be Spidey wearing the black and white costume vs. the ‘ol red and blue tights. Possible locations are the Helicarrier, Atlantis, Skrull homeplanet and Murderworld.

So how did Activision come up with a story that features all these Marvel characters from different worlds? Silver Surfer and Blade, together in a team for example. The writers had an easy time with the core story because of the diverse history behind each superhero. They included combinations of the basic plots in both Secret Wars and major moments in some superhero’s lives. What they found challenging was picking the best parts and including it in the main part of the story. Getting Marvel editor, C.B. Cebulski, made the story more accurate and valid.

The event that draws all these superheroes together is when Nick Fury calls on them for back up against Dr. Doom. They all go to the Helicarrier and, after driving Doom away, search for the reasons behind the attack. The players decisions on some key points in the story will affect the ending or epilogue of the game. A perfect example would be choosing to help Namor. In short, the game’s ending changes. So if you want to see all of them, we suggest you go through the game more than once.

Thanks to the massive graphics engine of new-gen consoles, the characters have life-like details on their costumes and bodies. For instance, Cap A’s steel mesh costume and the Thing’s rocky hide. The superhero effects and environments also gets a large boost thanks to the next-gen graphics engines. It’s like you’re watching a big budget live film rather than a video game.

Regarding consoles. the Wii will have as much content as the PS3 and Xbox 360 does. The only difference will be the controls. With the Wii controller, you can feel like a hero. However, there was no mention how this will be done. The online play will be available. The game will allow four players to either go up against each other, or team up to finish the same mission. At the end of the game, ranking will be the defining factor. There’s no downloadable content right now, but they’ll be thinking about it after the game’s out.

Well, more interviews, the more details we’re getting.

Until then, Make mine Marvel!

Via SSH

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