Marvel Entertainment and SEGA of America have expanded their relationship to include the rights to develop and distribute games inspired by Marvel’s Hall-of-Fame franchises — Captain America, The Incredible Hulk and Thor. Through the exclusive, multi-year global licensing agreement, SEGA will create titles for console, handheld and PC platforms based upon both the classic comic books and planned feature film adaptations of these world-renowned Super Heroes. The deal follows Marvel and SEGA’s announcement to create titles based on Super Hero favorite Iron Man, with both game and film slated to be released in May 2008.
“Video games are an ideal medium to showcase the appeal and excitement of our Super Hero franchises,” said David Maisel, Chairman, Marvel Studios. “SEGA is one of the industry’s most innovative game developers and we are thrilled to partner with them to bring Captain America, The Incredible Hulk and Thor to the video gaming arena. These franchises represent three of Marvel’s most popular characters and lend themselves to captivating game play. We have already seen SEGA’s passion for the Marvel Universe through the early development of the Iron Man video game, and we look forward to working closely with them over the next few years to maximize the potential of these franchises in the interactive entertainment space.”
Under the expanded agreement, SEGA will develop a title to be based on Marvel Studios’ highly-anticipated The Incredible Hulk feature film. Hitting theaters June 13, 2008, the film will return the larger-than-life Super Hero to the roots of the long-running comic series and television show with an all-new action-packed storyline directed by Louis Leterrier (Transporter 2, Unleashed). The Incredible Hulk video game will be released in the same timeframe as the film. Games based on Captain America and Thor will follow, though the timing of those feature film projects, currently in development, has not yet been determined.
