Ok. Second Deadpool editorial tonight.
As you guys can tell, Deadpool is one of my favorite characters, and I'm excited to see him getting a lot of attention with a feature film looming. As you all know, movies, especially those based on comics often have a game that hits shelves on either the day of or around the film's release. Just like I want the Deadpool movie handled properly though, I belive that this game, should it happen, needs to be treated with some tender loving care as well.
To date, Deadpool has already had a few appearences in games. He was a playable character in X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2: Fusion, and Marvel VS. Capcom 3: Fate of 2 Worlds. He has also appeared in cameos and as boss fights in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions.
Now that he has a movie coming out though, it is probably safe to assume that Deadpool will have a game all to himself. But who is worthy of developing the game? I'm guessing Activision will more than likely publish the game.
The most obvious and likely choice for a developer would probably be Raven Software. Why? Well these are the guys known for the X-Men Legends games and the first Marvel Ultimate Alliance title. From the X-Men Legends 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance, they have experience working with Deadpool as character, and we all know from their work on X-Men Origins: Wolverine: The Uncaged Edition for PS3/ 360, they will make games for characters that they have a soft spot for. In fact, I think may have heard a rumor that Raven wants to be the developer on a Deadpool game. I should also say that despite how much I thought the Wolverine movie sucked, I really enjoyed playing the game Raven made for my 360. Imean these guys turned down Ulitmate Alliance 2: Fusion to make the Wolverine game. That is passion you can not deny.
If Raven for some strange reason does not get picked the Deadpool game, then Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2: Fusion developer, Vicarious Visions should be another candidate to make this game. Like Raven, they have experience with Deadpool, and since they largely used Raven's gameplay mechanics from the first game as a blue print, I could very easily get behind a Deadpool game from them. It should be noted that Deadpool was almost always on my team in both Marvel Ultimate Alliance games.
Another awesome developer would Beenox, known for Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions and the upcoming Spider-Man: Edge of Time. Now Edge of Time has yet to be released but Shattered Dimensions was good old fashioned comic book fun and featured Deadpool as a boss for the Ultimate verion of Spidey to fight. Beenox really seemed to get the character, as he was hilarious in that level. The game was also beautiful to look at, and featured fast paced combat, that if mixed with some gun and sword play would be perfect for a Deadpool centric game.
Honorable mention has to go to Eurocom. These guys are probably one of the best kept secrets in gaming and are some of the hardest workers in the gaming industry. I know them for Dead Space: Extraction and their reimagining for the Wii of Rare's classic Bond game Goldeneye 007. They also handled Quantum of Solace 007 for the PS2, which I have not played, but is supposedly the best version of that game. Now I know that they have no experience with comic book related games, but their dedication to quality on games that often are not their own creations gives me confidence that they good handle a Deadpool game.
Of course, we can't get everything we want and waht will happen is what usually happens. One developer will be picked for the 360/ PS3 version, one will get the Wii version, one will get the DS or 3DS verion, while another will handle the PSP or NGP(if Sony has that handheld out already) version. Here is how I would break it down. Raven or Beenox should handle the 360/ PS3 version. It will more than likely be Raven, due their experience with Deadpool. Beenox can have it if they can't or won't do it. Give the Wii verion to Eurocom, since they have experience on that system with Dead Space: Extraction and Goldeneye 007. On the DS or 3DS versions, since Raven will more than likely get the 360/ PS3 version, let Beenox develop this version. If the game goes on the 3DS, which is a handheld with alot of potential, and Beenox can make a game tailored it's hardware, then they could could make a great game. Finally, let Vicarious Visions handle the version for wahtever Sony handheld is selected. If the NGP is out by then, and is as powerfull as we are being lead to believe, then going from 360/ PS3 to NGP should not be too difficult for these guys.
As for the tone of the game, well thats up the developer. Definitely keep it funny like the comic books, and like the movie should be. As for the story, the developers may be tasked with adapting the movie into a game, but if the publisher lets them, it would be wiser to tell a tale that fits in with the movie's continuity, but is a separate story. If the publisher wants the game to have comic book credibility, then let seasoned Deadpool writers like Fabian Nicieza, Joe Kelly, Daniel Way, or Victor Gischler handle the writing. Artistically, the developers could reference or have artists like Rob Liefeld, Mark Brooks, Patrick Zircher, Paco Medina, Bong Dazo, Carlo Barberi, and Jason Pearson contribute to the game's look. Also, make sure Nolan north and John Kassir make it into the voice over booth along side Ryan Reynolds as the voices in Deadpool's head. I know I suggested this aspect for the movie as well, but it may not make it in there, since it's just so out there. Therefore, the game which will likely be picked up by fans is definitely, a place to see this happen.
Gameplay mechanic and design wise, it is best to expect each platform to have it's own version of the game, since hardware for each system is different. This is why I suggested dividing the various versions between the developers I listed.
Look if Deadpool is gonna be getting a movie, then a game is sure to accomapany it. Like the movie, the game needs to handled with care as well. These suggestions should get the job done.