Marvel versus EA on the cards

Electronic Arts and Marvel Enterprises have today announced a deal that will see EA developing fighting games that pit superheroes from the Marvel universe against new EA heroes. Under the multiyear agreement, EA has also granted Marvel the exclusive rights, as worldwide licensing agent, to all consumer products and media licensing for the new EA hero characters. Marvel already has plans to publish comic books introducing the EA characters in the future.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for EA to create new characters for fighting games that can be exploited through our global merchandise licensing machine to fuel sales in many other product categories," said Allen Lipson, president and CEO of Marvel Enterprises.

"It's a unique opportunity, partnering with Marvel, to bring their renowned superheroes into original video game environments, as well as providing us an opportunity to create new heroes that will live in games, comic books and other licensing or media opportunities that Marvel presents," said John Riccitiello, president and COO for Electronic Arts. "Fans of both traditional Marvel comics as well as video games have a lot to be excited about, as they will be able to fight it out between established Marvel superheroes and EA's new heroes in original scenarios."

Fighting games starring the Marvel and EA superheroes are already in development for multiple platforms at EA's Canada studio in British Columbia. We'll bring you more information as soon as it becomes available.