Microsoft signs Online Game Deal with Marvel

Microsoft announced a licensing agreement with Marvel Enterprises Inc. today at Comic-Con International. Microsoft has obtained the exclusive rights to develop and publish massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) featuring Marvel’s iconic universe of Super Heroes™ for use in games developed for the Xbox 360™ system and published by Microsoft Game Studios.

This is Marvel’s first MMO agreement, with Microsoft’s first title due in 2008. A Marvel representative said the agreement is Marvel’s "one and only" MMO deal, according to Reuters.

"Online gaming is reaching a point of acceptance. We will use as many of the Marvel characters as we can," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing for Microsoft’s Xbox.

“The alliance with Microsoft catapults us into the games category in an unprecedented way. Microsoft is an acknowledged leader in the interactive game space, and backed by their technology, creative and marketing clout, Marvel will establish a strong presence in the burgeoning online gaming arena,” said Tim Rothwell, worldwide president of the Consumer Media Group at Marvel Enterprises. “We are very excited to be working with Microsoft to bring our fans what we expect will be a world-class online gaming experience. We also believe online gaming will provide valuable, global exposure to our character brands.”

Exact titles aren’t being released for now, but among Marvel’s (NYSE: MVL) more than 5,000 titles are Spider-Man, X-Men and the Hulk. Microsoft Game Studios will develop and publish the new titles, according to a press release.