Marvel Universe MMO, Impact on Hasbro's MU?
 

so I noticed Marvel had a story on an MMORPG. They are calling it Marvel Universe. Below is the story

Marvel Universe MMO: Introducing the Writer | Marvel Heroes Games | Games News | News | Marvel.com

Now I get to thinking, will this impact our toy line at all? This is pure speculation, and your welcome to chime in. Will hasbro feel a need to associate MU to the MMORPG? Or will Hasbro end up changing the name of the brand to somthing else?

Personally, I think sticking with the name would benefit Hasbro greatly. Because with the release of a major MMORPG under the same name, Marvel Universe, Suddenly Hasbros MU will have somthing more tangible than comics to grasp on. Somthing more mainstream. Perhaps this will encourage retail stores to accomadate MU much more, like they do with something like Star Wars. Hasbro could stick to its own release and character schedule, since Marvel MMO would have the same characters. we all know a TV Show, Movie, or Game can really push a product to greater hights. I mean have you seen all that bakugan crap? Mario alone has a massive section in Toys R Us

I think a marvel multi massive online rpg would be awesome. I've played dc universe and city of heroes. DC universe has its bugs but overall ok game. City of heroes is still in my opinion the better superhero game. I know they've been hinting at a marvel mmo for awhile now.

In terms of how it affects the toy line, more retail would carry it more like gamestop. Out of all the 3.75 lines, MU is supreme because of the paint apps and articulation. I think hasbro is aware that this tends to favor the older crowd to reinvent the nostalgia factor from when we were kids. I'm hoping the quality won't degrade with it going more mainstream. Some of those star wars figs are great but the articulation isn't as good in comparison to MU. Or the bad could happen to where it would be moredifficult to find the rare's and we get stuck with more iron man and spiderman peg warmers since now the non collector are adding to the hunt.

sounds good, though I think MU is lacking in one area when you mentioned it being supreme. While the articulation and paint apps are great, I think the accessories are where it hurts. course Cable and the new Deadpool/Taskmaster comic pack proved they are improving.

EDIT : I mean, heres an example. Pursuit of Cobra Lowlight VS Wave 1 Punisher

POC Lowlight comes with : Stand, Box of Ammo, Removable Goggles, Knife, Phone, Sniper rifle, Sniper Scope, Silencer, Semi Automatic Machine Gun, Openable Backpack, Webgear Vest, Bullet that fits in Box of Ammo, Radio, a scope on a tripod thingy for aiming without gun, and finally a carrying rifle suitcase

Punisher Comes with : a weird bazooka thing, the standard Assault Rifle + Grenade Launcher attached, Pistol.

Nesoduxrex I feel ya and agree hole-heartedly on the same thing, accessories is what's killing MU more or less the lack there of. We're getting tiny figures with great detail in paint applications, head sculpt designs and retooling of existing molds or brand new molds. Some figures have far more appeal because of accessories, they may not all be good ones, but they're an option to give your figure.
ML is far superior I don't mean in size,articulation,sculpt,paint or design but in the fact with every figure you got a comic, 2-3 accessories, amazingly detailed base, a BAF piece to make an even bigger more badass toy, and you felt like wow that $15-20 was so worth it. Marvel Universe now gives us a base the first I dunno how many waves didn't, maybe 1-2 accessies max, IM gets his stand clip on laser webness of shit, and then sometimes they give then accessories that are to heavy for the figure to hold, or the hands don't support the weapon.
Starwars,GI JOE, all come with a boatload more accessories, they may not all be good ones, but damn who cares if 1 gun sucks when they give ya 10. They need to maybe redo the packaging to accomidate more stuff. I would love a BAF piece.. something that would make either a 6-7'' to fit in the scale such as sasquatch, or a 10-12'' figure such as the frost giant or black goliath.. it could be done, I just think Hasbro is cheap and lazy. hah
As per the MMO part of the original post, aside from my rant. Marvel could do a MMO game, DC did it why can't Marvel, we got enough characters to choose from. Marvel has done well with the spiderman game line, xmen has done fair, marvel vs Capcom 3 is amazing, and it's the 3rd installment so that alone tells you people will buy it. Marvel Alliance has had 2 version which would be more or less the feel of an MMO for Marvel.
Some retailers who didn't carry MU may carry it to tie in with the game, the same way someone buts batteries next to a display of flashlights. I would say that if we got improvements in accessories, chances are the rest of the product may suffer in 1 deparment or another. All we can really do is wait and see what the future brings.

I agree that MU can use additional accessories. Personally I'd like to see hand and head swaps for each character. Wolverine would be a great example of having different hands. But the beauty of having MU in 3.75 is so you can interchange accessories with GI Joe and Star Wars. When it comes to the accessories, it is much easier to customize weapons and accessories vs. putting more articulation on a figure. This falls slightly off topic.

To get back on topic a MU online would be awesome. There is enough depth in the marvel universe world to where a player can take their favorite characters attributes and create it into their own. How it affects the toy line, only time can tell but it would overall just create more awareness.

What kind of accessories do mutants need. since their powers come from within, not like they need a dozen or so weapons and so on. Now characters like The Punisher and such yeah it would be cool to see more weapons and such, but what could you package with a character who's ability is pyrokineses and such, other than the translucent energy effects. In all honesty the quality of the figures has gotten better, the last two waves have been outstanding. Now I agree that some cool accessories would be nice, but what would fit in the mutant universe.

I think characters like Punisher, Deadpool, Blade, hand ninja's all could use a ton of weapons, mind you wolverine or spiderman doesn't need a sword or gun, due to their abilities it just doesn't make sense, but I feel the minor accessories like laser blasts or flames should be more detailed the the generic ones, I hate with a passion the clip on clone of flames that comes with MU IM figures... we need repulsar blasts that snap into the palms or feet or chest.... Mrs Marvel and Human torch has better looking accessories, a mini flight stand could be made for the figures that have more ability that can't be captured with accessories like nightcrawler or storm. Cyclops should come with a optical beam blast!

I think this is a good thing, The game might bring more characters into the spotlight, so what's considered the A list might expand and we may see less of Ironman and Wolverine and more of characters like Storm, Emma Frost, Cyclops, Luke Cage, Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, Mockingbird, ect. They could become more recognizable among Kids and collectors alike and we may in the end see more of the B and C list characters in toy isles, just a theory. Then again, Scarlet Witch is a now a main character in The Super Hero Squad show and we have yet to see a figure of her :(

I don't think its a question of Hasbro wanting to make figures with accessories, cause if you look at the Joe line, they provide each figure with some of the best 3 3/4 accessories I've ever seen. They can do it there, why not the MU line?

True, a mutant tends to not need accessories if their power is innate. But you can't equate "accessories" with guns and swords. Each figure can have something added to it that enhances the buying experience beyond just having the figure.

The Revoltech Iron Man accessories I saw on here blew me away! Those! Not that BS funnel of FAIL!

exactly I think everyone is in agreement, we all are willing to add another IM armour the the armoury, but we all displise the clip on flame cone of crap, it just looks bad, had they drilled a tiny hole in the palms and feet and included a nicely detailed flame, similiar to the ones given to war machine in the ML series. the IM2 line blasters are a little better but not much, .. titanium man's fist flame, Mrs Marvel's plastic flame fist covers are awesome, even torch's clip on wrist flame is good. I just wish they could look at every accessory given and say is this really cool to a kid and a 30yr old collector or just a kid. If it appeals to older collectors it's going to appeal more to kids as we're all just big kids at heart. Frankily,... a flight stand is needed and baf would be amazing.

This is getting off topic. I thought the post was about a marvel universe MMO and how that affects the toy line.

Maybe we can re-focus with this article from IGN.

Marvel Universe: First Details Announced - PC News at IGN

I would be all for it!! A game and figures. I would of thought that Marvel would be all over that after City of Heroes, and even after their 2nd and 3rd round of movies that were out. Aside from movie themed games, there aren't very many games that are out by Marvel for PS3 and Xbox360. Also, utilizing the internet to expand your players, game choices, abilities, world maps, etc., I think would be amazing for Marvel!!! Games like Infamous have also helped evolve the idea of the city being with you against you based on your actions (Spider-Man, X-Men, Punisher).

Gambit, staff and powered playing cards and knives. Psylocke, powered katana and blades. Storm, lightning bolts. Cable, a RBFG...or 3. Cyclops, optic beam. Bishop, Rouge, Juggernaut, Beast, Colossus, powered fist (Ms. Marvel). Ice Man, ice sled and beam, sno-ball (ha ha). Firestar, Sunfire with fire blast (Human Torch). Jubilee, sparkly Torch fire blast. Scalphunter, Mystique, Deadpool, tons of guns. Nightcrawler, Spiral, swords.

Nice article. No subscription fee, that's a first for mmo or at least for me it is. I wonder how they are going to keep the server up and maintained. I'll definitely be looking for more info in this.

I agree with Soundwave88. At the very least, give iron man something else besides those stupid blasty things. Those suck. I actual think the ones that came out of the im2 line are ok. Hand swaps would be great too. Its what the hot toys figures come with. For the characters that require guns swords, that's where you can use the many accessories that the snake eyes and storm shadow figures come with.

Well I will be getting it for sure!
I wonder if they mean free MMO like Guild Wars no subscription. Or free like some of the others with no cost at all.