The lack of a long-term roadmap for Marvel's Avengers has led to many questions about the game's future, and now the superhero slugfest may have finally seen its last days after Square Enix's sale to Embracer Group. At launch the game was praised for its single-player campaign and roster of unique playable heroes, but the multiplayer Marvel title is also highly criticized for its technical issues, microtransactions and lack of meaningful content. While developer Crystal Dynamics has taken steps to improve the experience over time, behind-the-scenes business transactions may drive the final nail into the game's proverbial coffin.
Marvel's Avengers is structured as an ongoing live-service game, with Crystal Dynamics having planned to release a roadmap of free updates to keep the experience fresh long after release. Despite the game's divisive launch, this promise was kept, with Marvel's Avengers updates and improvements introducing a number of new story campaigns, locations, and heroes over time. Avengers like Kate Bishop and Black Panther joined the game's roster, and players were given the opportunity to explore iconic comic locations like Wakanda and the Future Wasteland. Cosmetic items pulled from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which were highly-requested by fans at launch, were also added to the game's Marketplace over time. The title's most recent update brought quality-of-life changes by adjusting the game's matchmaking system and War Table mission select screen, but as of writing no actual new content has been added to the game since November 2021.
It was recently announced that publisher Square Enix sold Crystal Dynamics to Embracer Group, a Swedish holding company which owns publisher THQ Nordic. The $300 million deal will give Embracer ownership of developers like Crystal Dynamics and Eidos-Montréal, the creator of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, along with intellectual properties like Deus Ex and Tomb Raider. While a press release from Embracer expresses interest in growing these studios and expanding their work, it remains unclear whether Embracer has any plans for Marvel's Avengers.
The Future of Marvel's Avengers Looks Bleak
While Crystal Dynamics recently announced that Jane Foster is coming to Marvel's Avengers, the studio's acquisition by Embracer Group will likely change any long-term plans for the game. A livestream hosted by Embracer Group following the acquisition announcement reveals that external approval from Marvel will be required before Crystal Dynamics and Eidos-Montréal can continue working with the Avengers or Guardians of the Galaxy brands. Hopefully, these licensing issues will not end support of Marvel's Avengers, or prevent the release of a potential Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy 2, but planned updates could certainly be affected by the acquisition.
Crystal Dynamics has continued to improve Marvel's Avengers since launch, so more development time could possibly turn the game into an experience worthy of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Unfortunately, Square Enix's sale of Crystal Dynamics to Embracer Group and resulting license disputes may delay or end development of the game. A Marvel's Avengers skins leak and the announcement of Jane Foster suggest that there are at least plans for the near future, and these are unlikely to be canceled until the acquisition is complete. However, only time will tell whether Marvel's Avengers survives into 2023.
Source: Embracer Group/YouTube