Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Chat With Director Of Marvel Games

At Captivate ‘10, Capcom announced Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds as a PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 for next spring. Now read what Marvel has to say about the game. T.Q. Jefferson, Director of Marvel Games Digital Media Group, discusses development and gives cryptic hints about the roster.

How did development of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds get started?

T.Q. Jefferson, Director of Marvel Games Digital Media Group: From past success and listening to fans. When we released Marvel vs. Capcom 2 for download, you know that’s a ten year old game, and the numbers were phenomenal. The numbers were as good, if not better than, some of the recent titles, you know developed for the platform. That was a clear sign to us that the appetite was there for a next iteration.

Capcom felt the same way. They had a team that was eager to work on it. You can’t under estimate the value of a team that is enthusiastic about something. So, the team was enthusiastic, they had a new engine they were working on – MT Framework, Lost Planet 2 is being built on there. Basically, the stars aligned. They wanted to do it. We wanted to do it. We figured out a timeframe that would allow them to build the game that they wanted, they know to deliver the quality fans demand, and is strategically placed. All of that lined up and we said go.

How long has the game been in development?

It’s been in development for well over a year now.

Can you tell us how Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will compare to Marvel vs. Capcom 2?

It’s going to be everything that was and better. It’s going to be awesome from start to finish! It’s going to cherry pick the best characters from Capcom’s multiple franchises. It’s going to cherry pick some of the best characters from our franchises. It’s Marvel vs. Capcom, it’s almost self-explanatory.

Actually, I was thinking of the fighting system. What elements are going to be return from MvC 2? Will anything from Street Fighter IV like the revenge meter come over?

I could tell you, but I would ruin the surprise coming later. There are a couple of cons left this year, E3 and Comic-Con. Attend those, that’s the best I can say. I can be cryptic and allude to something is going to happen at one of those events.

I’ll be on the look out at those shows. I suppose you can’t officially confirm characters, but personally speaking what characters from the Marvel universe would you want to see in Marvel vs. Capcom 3.

Hahaha. That’s a clever question that’s a way to get me to reveal the list. I think there are a number of characters that are perfect for this style of gameplay. Some of them are well known, Wolverine, obviously, Hulk, these are great franchise characters for Marvel and are great legacy characters from the Marvel vs. Capcom series.

But, then the are also characters who are lesser known who would be just as amazing. Someone like Iron Fist would be cool. Someone like Moon Knight would be awesome. Nova would be a cool character. These are characters that aren’t as well known, but pretty amazing. If you just look at the gameplay mechanics, Mr. Fantastic, he’s almost like Dhalsim if you’re looking at power sets.

We have characters that have never been in this franchise before that are perfect for gameplay mechanics. They’re going to be fun and have never been seen in this context before and I think that’s going to make it interesting as well.

Are there any characters you would like to see from the Capcom side, personally speaking, of course.

Just like with Marvel characters, new and unexpected characters. Characters from Resident Evil would be awesome. I’m a big fan of Lost Planet. I loved Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, so the characters we’ve seen there transfer over. That would be awesome. Anyone from the Mega Man series would be kick ass. Devil May Cry.

They have a pretty deep bench of compelling characters. Maybe not as deep as Marvel, we have 5,000 or so or more, but they have some really great characters. I know I’m being cryptic and evading the question. That’s intentional. You’ll see some of my picks later this year.

In the new age of downloadable content do you think we will see downloadable characters?

I think it’s a definite option. A lot of it is about fans and timing. Fans wanted Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and lo and behold here it is. Do fans want downloadable characters for a fighting game? Personally, I haven’t seen it yet. It might have been out there and I may have missed it, but we’ll see if the appetite is there.

In a parallel world where Marvel and Capcom never linked up, what video game company would you like to see Marvel characters fight against?

Disney.

Marvel vs. Disney?

Yeah, I’d love to see that! I’d love to see Goofy take on Wolverine. [Laughs!] Try to get that image out of your head! Or Donald Duck vs. Howard the Duck, that’s classic.