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Mforma, Marvel Partner on Superhero Cell Phone Content

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 13, 2004 - 3:04am.
Los Angeles -- Mobile entertainment publisher Mforma Group announced on Monday that it has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with comic book publisher Marvel Enterprises, to create mobile applications featuring Marvel characters such as Spider-Man, The X-Men, The Fantastic Four and The Incredible Hulk. Financial terms were not disclosed. Under the deal, Los Angeles-based Mforma will co-publish mobile games based on Marvel characters with Activision. The deal includes games, images, ringtones, mobile comic books and community applications, in addition to the creation of Marvel Mobile, a branded wireless and online website that Mforma will host to provide information, promotions and links to Marvel's available content for cell phones. Mforma has content distribution agreements with more than 100 wireless operators in 39 countries. "Nothing like this has ever before been done in mobile," said Mforma CEO Daniel Kranzler. "Today, the market and mobile technology has matured to the point that a deal of this magnitude is possible."
tags: Deals | Mforma | Marvel | Mobiles | Superhero |

Marvel Sues "City of Heroes" Game Publishers Over Superhero Trademarks

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 12, 2004 - 7:14am.
Los Angeles -- Comic book publisher Marvel Enterprises has sued the two video game firms behind "City of Heroes," an online superhero roleplaying game that the company says contains virtual characters that are too similar to its popular trademarked characters like Incredible Hulk and Wolverine, the Associated Press reported. Marvel sued San Jose, Calif.-based Cryptic Studios and Korea-based NCSoft, which created the game and operate its online servers that allow players to design their own superheroes that inhabit the online game. It is the individual players' choices that result in characters similar to Marvel's. The comic book publisher is seeking unspecified damages as well as an injunction to stop "City of Heroes" from using its intellectual property.
tags: Games | Marvel | City of Heroes | Trademarks | Superhero |

Electronic Arts, Marvel Team on New Superhero Game Franchise

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 6, 2004 - 10:19am.
Redwood City, Calif. -- Video game developer Electronic Arts announced on Friday that it has partnered with comic book publisher Marvel to create a new series of fighting game titles that will pit Marvel superheroes against an original cast of "EA heroes." While Electronic Arts will receive a license to include Marvel characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men in the game, the company has granted Marvel exclusive rights for all consumer products and media licensing for the new EA heroes, and will publish new comic books introducing the EA characters. Redwood City, Calif.-based Electronic Arts said that games for multiple platforms are currently in development at its EAC studio in British Columbia. The company told Reuters that the first title is scheduled for release in late 2005.
tags: Games | Marvel | Electronic Arts | Superhero |