Marvel’s superheroes could get a hit inspired by Secret Wars. The Avengers was meant to be a striking FPP game

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The game, Marvel’s Avengers, might linger as an unsettling memory for the team at Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics for quite some time. Contrary to their expectations, a blockbuster hit was not what this game turned out to be but rather a significant disappointment. However, during the years 2010-2011, another Marvel superheroes-themed game was in development, aiming to present a fresh perspective on their tales. Let’s delve into what The Avengers initially envisioned, and uncover how this project eventually unfolded.

Avengers FPP

The Avengers was a collaborative effort between THQ Studio Australia and Blue Tongue Entertainment, both working under the parent company THQ (distinct from THQ Nordic). Some gamers might recognize THQ Studio Australia for their work on titles related to The Last Airbender. On the other hand, Blue Tongue Entertainment was widely recognized for developing the de Blob series.

As a die-hard fan, I’m thrilled by the innovative decision the creators made for their superhero game. Instead of the usual third-person perspective, they chose to present the action through the eyes of our heroes, offering an unprecedented view into Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, and Thor’s worlds. The plan is to introduce additional playable characters such as War Machine, Ms. Marvel, Black Widow, and Hawkeye progressively throughout the game, making each gaming session feel like a brand-new adventure.

Independent story

Regarding the plot of “The Avengers” movie, there had been rumors that it might be an adaptation since it was initially planned for release in 2012 together with the first Avengers film. However, Jeremy Love, a contributor to the project, clarified this point years later (via Unseen64): it was not an adaptation, but rather an original storyline.

This game has no connection whatsoever with the movie. We were provided with initial movie concept art only to help us with specific aspects, but that’s essentially the extent of the link.

Rather than developing a film based on “Secret Invasion,” the creators opted to share an entirely new narrative, with this comic serving as one of its inspirations. Additionally, it was hinted that Brian Michael Bendis, the author behind these tales, was involved in its creation. In our storyline, the primary villains are the Skrulls, extraterrestrial beings aiming to invade Earth. While they worked covertly in the original story, pretending to be global leaders, in this version of “The Avengers,” they plan to draw more attention by mimicking the abilities of various Marvel superheroes.

Villains and heroes

In the course of the game, we’ll come across adversaries mimicking characters like the X-Men, headed by Wolverine, and the Fantastic Four. Engaging with these groups will add excitement to the game, and during these interactions, it’s crucial to effectively employ the unique abilities of each superhero, as they all play distinct roles.

In this scenario, Iron Man uses missiles to attack foes and swiftly navigates through the sky, Thor employs Mjolnir for melee combat and lightning bolts as ranged attacks against enemies, Captain America engages in close-quarters fighting and throws his shield, while the Hulk, although the slowest among them, exhibits immense strength. All characters possess a variety of attack methods, including eye-catching final blows. Unlike in Doom, we will view these finishing moves from various cinematic angles, not just the character’s point of view.

As we moved forward, we were building up the team known as the Avengers. In combat situations, whether it was defeating adversaries or assisting allies, we’d gather experience points. These points allowed us to gradually unlock additional abilities and skills.

Cooperation is the key to success

From the start, The Avengers was designed with the concept of a unified team effort in mind. Interestingly, despite the cooperative play being central to the experience, we were never compelled to engage in it. Instead, the developers meticulously crafted the AI-controlled allies to behave as realistically as possible, offering assistance when required and strategically choosing targets.

The collaboration among team members was intended to enable synchronized attacks. For instance, one Avenger could incapacitate the enemies, making them vulnerable for an attack by another hero. Skilled players were expected to develop intricate combinations during fights, earning them increased damage, multipliers, and additional perks.

Good start and slippery slope

The development process for the game titled “The Avengers” commenced in August 2010. Initially, THQ Australia was solely responsible for the project, but later on, Blue Tongue Entertainment joined forces with them to ensure timely completion. The game was initially intended for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, while a version for Wii U was also contemplated. For a period, there were plans to integrate Kinect into a special Avengers Training Academy mode, but eventually, these ideas were abandoned.

Initially, things were running smoothly for the developers, but by mid-2011, complications began to arise. Missteps like the costly project Homefront and the unsuccessful uDraw tablet investment weighed heavily on THQ. To add insult to injury, the escalating value of the Australian dollar made it financially burdensome to maintain teams in that region. As a result, in August 2011, it was decided to shut down THQ Australia and Blue Tongue Entertainment, leading to layoffs among the staff there.

Additionally, it was determined that further development on the “Avengers” initiative would cease. The team behind it attempted to secure funding from Marvel, yet they declined the request.

Not all of me will die

Following the termination of The Avengers, Ubisoft secured the license to develop a game inspired by the franchise. Although their game, The Avengers: Battle for Earth, did not precisely follow the original title’s narrative, it offers some inspiration in its storyline and gameplay aspects.

Actually, as it turns out, we still have quite a bit of material leftover from it. You can discover a wealth of screenshots, concept art, and even videos demonstrating the game on the Unseen64 website. These visuals were utilized to enhance this text.

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2025-06-01 21:32