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Technology
Contact UsIt’s been a good month for PC-based online gaming entrepreneurs. Despite the economic downturn, announcements of funding have been flowing in.
Blade Games World, OMGPOP, SuperSecret and RotoHog all recently announced they have secured funding for their online gaming projects and this week sees Marvel Comics join the throng.
The comic book company has signed a 10 year partnership with MMO game developer Gazillion to bring their 5,000 or so super heroes to the Internet in a suite of games, starting with a low-level, casual MMO for younger gamers based on Marvel’s Super Hero Squad. Further plans include resurrecting the development of the Marvel Universe MMOG for PCs and game consoles.
“Despite the tough economy, the videogame industry continues to grow, and MMO games for mass audiences represent the next big opportunity for the upcoming decade,” said Gazillion president and chief executive Rob Hutter in a company announcement this week.
“This is particularly the case for established global entertainment brands like Marvel, which possess hundreds of millions of touch points with fans worldwide,” he added.
Marvel’s adversary, DC Comics, is set to release their own MMO, DC Universe Online, anticipated to be available later this year or early 2010.
A recent report from research firm Parks Associates forecasts revenue from MMORPG’s to top $1 billion by 2013, and the number of gamers to reach 20 million.