BusinessWeek debates online superhero games

BusinessWeek has put online superhero games into a "crossfire" of sorts, with a debate on Marvel and DC getting into the online multiplayer game market.

The pro:

Yet, even with all the obstacles a new superhero MMO would have to face, it would be almost irresponsible not to have them. Let's face it, even though CoH is a good, game, it can't be the end-all be-all of comic book games. Competition is needed to generate fresh ideas, new approaches, and different models of gameplay. Where would we be if the gaming industry had decided in 1999 that EverQuest would be the last fantasy MMO — that things couldn't get any better? We wouldn't have World of WarCraft, currently the most popular MMO in the world, boasting over 6 million customers. Blizzard had the benefit of being an extremely well-respected development studio with very recognizable properties with unique stories. However, they were also able to play through established MMO's, pick out the elements that worked, and find creative ways to fix elements that didn't. If Marvel and DC can pull off the same trick, then we could potentially have games that will give CoH a run for its money.

Although it is still too early for details, DC has announced is that Jim Lee would be heading their project. While it is exciting to see how a famous comic book artist will handle building whole game worlds, it also opens up new and exciting opportunities. How would an MMO show off the art of Jim Lee? Perhaps it would be a cell-shaded game to preserve the comic book feel? What if this was just the beginning? DC and Marvel could potentially tap into their pool of artists and bring in guest artists to put together areas and characters. Imagine running through a city zone specially drawn, designed, and populated by Todd McFarlane's creations. Or maybe a unique buildings, streets or missions put together by well-known talent that will remain in this virtual world for fans to visit and interact with. Such a thing wouldn't just be a game, it would be a three-dimensional comic book museum.

The con:

With that said, why is Marvel and DC attempting such a folly? What could they possibly do that would draw me (or you) away from CoX? The thing that makes CoH (City of Heroes) work is the ability to design your own, original superhero (or Villain in City of Villains) from the ground up. That can easily be done in the CoX universe because there isn't 50+ years of mythos, storylines, and universes to copy from. More importantly, there aren't globally iconic heroes (ala Superman, Batman, Spider-man, Hulk, etc.) to replicate.

And therein lies the biggest hurdle for an MMO from either one of these legendary comic book companies to overcome. People want to play as those established Marvel and DC heroes. Period. I know I do! Why do you think there are hundreds of people trying to make them over in CoX? Yet in a Marvel/DC MMO of any kind, there simply can't be 9,876 Wolverines or 8,103 Superman's running around! Not only would it not be fun, but seeing hundreds upon hundreds of Batman's zipping across the rooftops would reek all kinds of lameness! Hell, it would be on par with the creation of the AMC Pacer (a.k.a. the bubble car from the 1970's driven by Wayne from Wayne's World) as far as lameosity goes. Yet, that's exactly what everyone wants, and it's the only thing that would separate a Marvel/DC MMO from CoX. If you can't be the Green Lantern, Captain America, Flash or Hawkeye... why make an MMO in the first place?!

Go check it out and decide what side you're on.