MARVEL'S AVENGERS Still Hasn't Recouped Its Development Costs After An Underwhelming Launch

There's bad news for those of you hoping for a sequel to Marvel's Avengers, as the game still hasn't recouped its development costs and actually caused Square Enix to make a loss during its latest quarter.

By JoshWilding - Nov 25, 2020 10:11 AM EST

Filed Under: Avengers Project

Source: IGN

It's no secret that Marvel's Avengers hasn't exactly lived up to expectations, but it's now been confirmed that the game's sales have indeed been lower than expected. In fact, the game still hasn't recouped its development costs, and that means Square Enix has made a loss of around $67 million.

IGN has shared comments from the company's President Yosuke Matsude, who stated that "sales of Marvel’s Avengers were lower than we had expected and unable to completely offset the amortization of the game’s development costs."

Recently, game analyst David Gibson explained that the company had only sold 60% of its planned units for a game that likely cost $100 million to produce.

While Marvel's Avengers features a pretty awesome single-player story mode, it's the online component that underwhelmed, and so it's no wonder many avoided what some have described as a Destiny "wannabe." With relatively little emphasis put on the campaign ahead of its release and a Beta that pointed to a disappointing online experience, the news of this loss doesn't really come as a shock.

As for how Square Enix plans to drive up sales, Matsuda later added: "We hope to make up for slow initial sales by offering ample additional content to grow our sales."

In other words, that "Reassemble" content - including Spider-Man on the PlayStation version of the Game - is going to be crucial, but whether it can actually tempt people back (or to Marvel's Avengers for the first time) remains to be seen. Either way, we probably shouldn't bank on a sequel happening!

Click on the "Next" button below to check out some of
the best moments from Marvel's Avengers story mode!

10. Blasting Into Outer Space

When Tony Stark needs to reach a satellite, he dons armour outfitted specifically for space. While exploring that location proves to be a lot of fun (we'll get to that), it's the journey through the skies which really stands out. If anything, it doesn't really last long enough, but taking off from Earth and heading into the heavens as Iron Man makes for a truly epic sequence.

Controlling the Avenger as he desperately tries to stay on course - and avoid being struck by lightning - you get to enjoy some rock music on the way, and this really does make you believe you're the hero.

The white armour looks badass in action and is imagery that will definitely stick with you.

9. Thor Returns

Much of the game is focused on Ms. Marvel, The Hulk, and Iron Man, so when Thor finally shows up to save the day, it's definitely a welcome sight. He arrives on the Helicarrier just in the nick of time, and experiencing the God of Thunder's power feels unreal, even after playing as the Jade Giant.

As you make your way across the floating warship, you use Mjolnir to tear apart A.I.M.'s forces, and it's such an upgrade in terms of abilities, bringing the thunder here is beyond epic.

The level concludes with a QTE which sees Thor stop the Helicarrier from crashing into New York City, and by that point, you'll feel like you have the power to stop that from happening!

8. Kamala Khan On The Run

The game opens by putting players in control of a young Kamala Khan during A-Day, and five years later, she's been left with Inhuman powers. Those come out in full force in an enjoyable mission which sees you travel across a city to Kamala's secret hideout, though things soon escalate once A.I.M. comes looking for the youngster.

What follows is an expected, albeit simplistic, stealth level as you flee from A.I.M.'s forces.

While it may not break the mould, running through a park dedicated to Earth's Mightiest Heroes while the villainous organisation's robotic forces attempt to track you down proves to be surprisingly cinematic, and a great way to get accustomed to taking charge of the future Ms. Marvel.

7. A-Day Battle

If you played the beta for Marvel's Avengers, then you'll be all too familiar with this level. It doesn't really differ in the game itself, but it serves as a near perfect introduction to these iconic heroes.

Whether it's racing across the Golden Gate Bridge as The Hulk, battling Taskmaster's goons on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, or facing off with that villain as Black Widow, it's a breathtaking, exciting series of set pieces, and you won't be able to peel your eyes from the screen as this all happens.

It is just a tutorial for the most part, but it's a damn good one and suitably epic in terms of scale.

6. Running From The Hulk

The young Kamala Khan is determined to reassemble The Avengers, and her mission starts by attempting to find Bruce Banner. Unfortunately, it's The Hulk that she encounters, and that leads to a pulse-pounding sequence which sees you take control of the young Inhuman with the Green Goliath in pursuit.

As you run through the level, you're aware that The Hulk is close behind, and it's hard not to jump when the hero smashes his way through a nearby wall in a bid to get his hands on Kamala.

As strange as it might sound, Marvel's Avengers is often at its best when you're running through set pieces like this, but this one really stands out as the stakes feel particularly high/frightening.

5. Captain America Lives

It's been clear for a while that Captain America somehow returns in Marvel's Avengers, and that actually comes when Iron Man discovers that A.I.M. has put him on ice in the aforementioned satellite.

Steve Rogers is there because his blood has been used to keep George Tarleton alive (and subsequently transformed him into M.O.D.O.K.). The reunion between Iron Man and Cap really strikes a strong emotional chord, and their banter as they make their way to the escape shuttle is great fun.

Even better is actually getting to take control of Cap as he finally gets to return to action. He doesn't have his shield at this point, of course, but his athleticism more than make up for that being absent.

4. Hulk Vs. Abomination

There are a lot of cool boss battles in Marvel's Avengers, though most of them see Earth's Mightiest Heroes assemble to square off with massive robotic enemies sent their way by A.I.M.

There's nothing wrong with those, of course, but it's a lot more satisfying to take control of The Hulk and go toe to toe with The Abomination. Punching robots is great and all, but knocking seven bells out of one of the Jade Giant's greatest enemies proves to be both epic and a thrilling experience.

It's hard to deny that the game might have benefited from more fights like this, and it's a shame more classic villains from the comic books don't make their presence felt to face the team.

3. Cap Vs. A.I.M.

During the game's final mission, you're put in charge of Captain America while the rest of the heroes take on A.I.M. forces elsewhere. While The Hulk does show up to help out at one point, racing through the M.O.D.O.K.'s fortress above the ruins of San Francisco is nothing short of awesome.

It helps that Cap's special abilities in the game are particularly badass, and there's something oddly pleasing about leaping from platform to platform, taking out a bunch of baddies with your shield, and then sprinting towards one last fight as M.O.D.O.K. causes your surroundings to implode.

It's a great showcase of Captain America, and makes us wish he'd been in the game even more.

2. Avengers Assemble

With M.O.D.O.K. at full power, the Avengers assemble to take the fight to him and save the day.

You're essentially put in charge of each hero one after the other in order to weaken the formidable baddie, and whether it's throwing Cap's shield, bringing the thunder as Thor, or even unloading Black Widow's pistols, it feels like you're really helping to turn the tide against M.O.D.O.K. here.

Seeing as Marvel's Avengers isn't Ultimate Alliance, taking it turns like this was probably the best approach, and one that ensures each character is given the chance to shine here.

1. Ms. Marvel Vs. M.O.D.O.K.

Trust us, it's around this point in the game you'll be wondering when the heck Ms. Marvel is going to get her due. After all, she's been a focal point of this game up until this point, but don't fret too much, as the Inhuman gets to make a truly massive (and we do mean massive) impact against M.O.D.O.K.

After he takes control of a huge Kree Sentinel which was buried beneath San Francisco, Ms. Marvel finally gains full control of her powers and grows equally as massive in order to put him down.

You're given control as Ms. Marvel does exactly that, and it's seriously awesome. However, as great as this is, trust us when we say you'll want to stick around for a very cool mid-credits scene...

MARVEL'S AVENGERS: The Video Game's Creative Director Has Apologized For The Disappointing 2020 Release

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65 Comments

1 2

TexasAvenger - 11/25/2020, 10:44 AM

Aww you hate to see it.

MCUKnight11 - 11/25/2020, 10:45 AM

Man, they went all out with this game. Toys, marvel legends and even chewing gum. So disappointing.

marvel72 - 11/25/2020, 11:03 AM

@MCUKnight11 - Comic books as well.

dracula - 11/25/2020, 10:45 AM

Stick with insomniac and capcom

MosquitoFarmer - 11/25/2020, 10:57 AM

Wish you could call on that other group now, don't ya?

RageDriver2401 - 11/25/2020, 1:56 PM

@MosquitoFarmer - someone very aptly called this game the Averagers.

SonOfOdor - 11/25/2020, 10:58 AM

Hopefully one day these major game companies will come to understand that you need to make a good game, especially with these huge IPs (EA and Star Wars -__-)

Ppl aren't going to hand you billions of dollars repeatedly when you give them shitty games

marvel72 - 11/25/2020, 11:02 AM

They should make a Daredevil game in the style of the Arkham games.

Marvel Vs DC in the style of Tekken.

PC04 - 11/25/2020, 11:02 AM

@marvel72 - A Daredevil game would be so good in that style.

LongMayHeReign - 11/25/2020, 11:34 AM

@marvel72 - A Black Panther game with environments and tech like Horizon 1-2!

Give me some Techno Organic Jungle!

marvel72 - 11/25/2020, 12:28 PM

@PC04 - It's been a dream of mine, since Batman:Arkham Asylum.

marvel72 - 11/25/2020, 12:30 PM

@LongMayHeReign - Yeah that would be cool.

A Wolverine game in the style of that new Samurai game, I won't attempt to spell it because I'll butcher it.

LongMayHeReign - 11/25/2020, 1:07 PM

@marvel72 - Ghost of Tsushima

I am a proud owner of the platinum trophy, now just waiting on a PS5 to play the Legends multiplayer!

Kumkani - 11/25/2020, 1:23 PM

@LongMayHeReign - Daredevil like Arkham with a little Spider-Man PS4. Black Panther like Horizon with a little Arkham. Thor like God of War.

These would be perfect.

LongMayHeReign - 11/25/2020, 1:34 PM

@Kumkani -

After Feige conquers tv, he comes for gaming next!

Dannywest - 11/25/2020, 2:31 PM

@Kumkani - throw in a little Tony Hawk PS on that Daredevil and we're good to go

Grodd87 - 11/25/2020, 6:41 PM

@marvel72 - is the screen black the whole time and you have to hear what’s going on.

marvel72 - 11/25/2020, 7:31 PM

@Grodd87 - Hahaha that was good.

Kurne - 11/25/2020, 11:03 AM

I remember being so disappointed with that E3 reveal trailer last year. I didn't think I could be any more disappointed with the way the game would end up launching, yet I still was/am 10x over. What a friggin waste of years of development, when we could have got something else.

OmegaDaGrodd - 11/25/2020, 11:03 AM

I absolutely love this game and find it super fun, but the fact that it seems so hyper focused on post release content, while having almost ZERO post release content is ridiculous. Obviously Cyberpunk 2077 is showing how the pandemic can impact development/polish schedules with all it's delays, so I'm sure that's a factor, but SE and Crystal Dynamics shouldn't have been so focused on online/DLC content in the first place. They have the bones for a great game here but shot themselves in the foot trying too many things at once, which is why they don't have any singular hook to keep people playing

Aside from the awesome sale they had on cosmetics a few weeks ago, I haven't really felt the need to pick up lately because the Kate Bishop DLC that was supposed to come this month is still 2 weeks away. It could be a totally different story by February when they could potentially have Kate, Clint, T'Challa and maybe even Spidey, but they need to start ramping things up if they want to maximize the window they have left

Toonstrack - 11/25/2020, 11:09 AM

Game is plenty of fun. It'll probably see better numbers once they add more characters and content over time

Superheromoviefan - 11/25/2020, 11:20 AM

they should just give the rights to sony to make games

Mercwitham0uth - 11/25/2020, 11:23 AM

I loved this game when it was released. But the biggest issues were the massive amounts game breaking bugs/glitches and severe lack of end game content. What I like is that the characters all play differently. Hulk feels like Hulk, Iron Man feels like Iron Man, etc etc.

One of the post launch content events was pretty bland as it was just one of the same locations from the campaign and Endgame. All they did was add a countdown timer and temporal disturbances that just added time to the clock.

The Kate Bishop content DLC being delayed by 2 months doesn’t help either. But they did that to polish it up more because they don’t want it to be a horrible launch like the main game was when it launched.

I still have some hope that this game will get better over time. CD/SE seem to be listening to the community which is great.

But this game needs MORE content.

But this game should have been delayed until sometime in 2021 or even 2022. The way it launched was just awful and obviously killed the player base.

1 2

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MARVEL'S AVENGERS Still Hasn't Recouped Its Development Costs After An Underwhelming Launch

There's bad news for those of you hoping for a sequel to Marvel's Avengers, as the game still hasn't recouped its development costs and actually caused Square Enix to make a loss during its latest quarter.

10. Blasting Into Outer Space

9. Thor Returns

8. Kamala Khan On The Run

7. A-Day Battle

6. Running From The Hulk

5. Captain America Lives

4. Hulk Vs. Abomination

3. Cap Vs. A.I.M.

2. Avengers Assemble

1. Ms. Marvel Vs. M.O.D.O.K.

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Rumor Suggests That Development On MARVEL'S AVENGERS Continues Relatively Unaffected

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