Why A Marvel MOBA Makes So Much Sense
It's been announced that a Marvel MOBA is in development; but with a noticeable absence of a North American release, the question is simple: Is this a viable idea for the West? While there are many polarizing answers found throughout the web; I wish to offer but one view on this latest Marvel Video Game venture.
By TheRedHood - 2/23/2013
With the hype and attention Marvel has received lately with the MCU and Marvel NOW! It's not a stretch to say that Marvel is as popular as ever, and it's characters are reaching into other mediums. It's an exciting time, and one that I think is only going to continue to grow as Marvel grows in popularity. So when Disney Interactive signed a deal with Korean developer Smilegate to develop a Marvel MOBA -- I was excited, as this was another brilliant move on Marvels part (in theory at least) showcasing the popularity of their brand, stories, and characters.
Now, don't get your spandex wound too tight because neither party has announced an international release outside of Asian markets; but one only has to consider two key points here:
1) Marvel
Marvel is a global brand; and one only has to look at the numbers The Avengers did in international markets to see that this is the case. Marvel is a brand that is globally recognizable.
2) Free-to-Play/MOBA
MOBA's and Free-to-Play (F2P) are also extremely popualr in global markets. With a low entry point, and a high 'ceiling' meaning that most people can start playing for free; there's also a lot more room for profits over a typical $60 retail game. I know many friends, and frankly myself, who've spent a great deal of money in League of Legends, and for the time invested it's arguably a great investment.
So why wouldn't Marvel capitalize on this? Let's use League of Legends as an example once more, and being a leader in the MOBA market it makes sense. People can pay for characters, as well as skins. Marvel could easily adapt this model to their large base of Heroes and Villains to make a killing. I would buy a 'Classic' skin for Drax, or the Black Suit for Spider-Man. We all have characters and variations that many of us would invest in and enjoy for hours.
If the game is F2P, consumers and comic book fans have nothing to worry about. As a low entry point means that almost anyone with a halfway decent gaming PC/Mac can play. That's the ultimate point is that neither the consumers or Marvel have anything to lose by releasing this game in the West. It has a name brand that most people recognize and a genre that is open form in many regards. Hopefully, one day we'll all be able to avenge as Drax, or Iron Man, or Spider-Man; or even destroy as Thanos, Loki, or even Green Goblin.
What are your thoughts on a Marvel MOBA, and do you think it's a viable release for other global markets such as Europe and North America?
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