Marvel Universe Online cancelled?

1UP sure has a way of sniffing out stories before they happen, to such a degree that speculations run rampart and at times nothing really happens. It may or may not be the case with today’s story, which prompts Marvel Universe Online as the unhappy nominee for a Microsoft project cancellation. Ever since Microsoft announced the game on 26 September 2006, details have been scarce if any, complete with a lack of direct responses from developers when confronted with the issue in several interviews. Teasers are common place after one year of development cycle, including concept art, 3D renderings, screenshots and story snippets, but it isn’t the case with Marvel Universe Online. It’s rather sad to see it turn into vaporware, as the game world has a huge fan base that anxiously awaits its arrival to the online realms.

To put things into context, Cryptic Studios is the Marvel Universe Online developer, also known for comic based MMORPGs City of Heroes and City Of Villains. Not two weeks ago, publisher NCSoft acquired the rights for thee two retail releases. Approximately 15% of Cyptic’s staff was relocated to Mountain View, California to start a new studio under the NCSoft banner. With the IPs out of their yard, one would think Cryptic is free to pursue other projects, including Marvel Universe Online, but while Microsoft insists that the sale will not negatively affect any such projects, we’ve yet to hear news of the comic title.

Cyptic’s upcoming superhero MMORPG has not been cancelled outright, but Microsoft is known to take their time when it comes for such official announcements. 1UP’s inside sources prompt the game development to be on the bricks though. There was talk of “a big Microsoft first-party title that's been in the works for a very long time that people are very excited for” but looking back on the facts, Marvel Universe Online isn’t a perfect match. Aside from the mysterious source, Cryptic developers were cryptic themselves when it came to passing information about the game. 1UP is very eloquent in this regard, citing the suspicious inability by the project's collaborators to confirm the game's on-going development. Up until now, all we have is the game cinematic trailer which conveniently doesn’t present any type of in game footage.

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