Summary
DChas had a rough few years. In the movie department, Zack Snyder’s handful ofDCmovies made a decent amount at the box office, but failed to earn a good critical reception, and even after Snyder’s departure, the DC movie universe has continued to fumble almost every release since. Even with some exceptions such asDoom PatrolandHarley Quinn, DC’s TV department hasn’t fared much better, with the various CW shows having a decent audience but dropping off in quality significantly as the years went on. And unfortunately, that same dip in quality has seemingly happened in the world of DC video games.
Back in the 2010s, DC’s video game department was on a hot streak. TheBatman: Arkhamserieswas going strong, theLEGO Batmangames were continuing to offer the ideal family-friendly gaming experience, and NetherRealm released the franchise’s first truly great fighting game. But as a new decade began, so did a new age of problems for DC video games. And withGotham KnightsandSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguenow weighing the brand down, it might be time for DC to follow in Marvel’s footsteps with a crowdpleasing hero shooter.
DC Could Have Its Own Marvel Rivals
One of the most recent, and most divisive trends in gaming, the live-service model essentially sees a game being worked on consistently over time, delivering an ever-evolving narrative through frequent content updates. With games likeFortnite,Apex Legends,Call of Duty: Warzone, and nowHelldivers 2all proving that the live-service market can be very lucrative, many publishers have tried to embrace this recent gaming trend, but few have properly understood why that handful of games have been successful, and DC/Warner Bros. is certainly one of those.
The company’s first proper AAA live-service outing,Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguelanded with a monumental thud earlier this year. With an incredibly short campaign, a severe lack of mission, enemy, and boss variety, and a lackluster, unfinished story,Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguereceived harsh criticismfrom both fans and critics alike upon its debut, and based on its first season of live-service content, it feels safe to say that the game isn’t going to get much better.
But somehow, despite openly stating thatSuicide Squadfell short of expectations, Warner Bros. plans on doubling down on live-service games in the near future. And if that’s going to be the case regardless, then it might be best for DC to study Marvel’s upcoming live-service game closely.
DC Could Find Success Using Marvel Rivals' Formula
Announced last week,Marvel Rivalsis an upcoming 6v6 objective-based hero shooterthat seemingly takes quite a bit of inspiration from titles likeOverwatch. While it’s much too early to judge the game,Marvel Rivalsdoes boast a compelling premise, and has the potential to be Marvel’s first truly successful live-service game, with its last attempt (Marvel’s Avengers) being pretty disastrous.
But already,Marvel Rivalslooks as though it’s doing a lot right. Right out the gate,Marvel Rivalswill be giving players access to 18 playable heroes and villains, each equipped with their own unique weapons, abilities, and ultimates, along with synergy abilities that let characters mix and match their powers for unique effects.Marvel Rivals' maps will also be heavily themed around iconic Marvel locations. While there’s still plenty of time forMarvel Rivalsto trip and fall over its live-service model, there’s a lot of promise there, and DC could easily follow in its footsteps with its ownOverwatch-like gameif it proved to be a successful formula.
DC
DC is a brand of superhero comics, television shows, movies, video games, merchandise, and more. The company owns the rights to popular characters like Batman, The Suicide Squad, Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, and many more.
