As our mainstream society becomes consumed by the superhero craze, characters like Superman, Batman, Iron Man and even Groot, are making business like Disney and Time Warner mega-dollars. The video game industry has been making a hefty profit off of comic book heroes and their depiction in video games. The Lego Batman, and Marvel games have kept the LEGO franchise afloat. Injustice: Gods among us, and the Arkham Series have been very popular–with some even saying the Arkham Series is one of the best out there, up there with the likes of Elder Scrolls, Final Fantasy and Resident Evil.
Can we expect more superhero games on the way? We get a hint from Time Warner Inc. Chief Executive Officer, in an interview with Yahoo Finance.
When asked about the video game side of things in Time Warner Inc. Kevin Tsujihara answered
We feel really good about what we have done. We are by far the biggest – probably the only studio that’s making money on the game side like this. It’s a business that we’ve built from scratch with some acquisition but we have really three key franchises to date. It’s the local franchise, it’s the Mortal Kombat franchise, and it’s the Arkham of Batman franchise, those three are very significant. We are having a very good year. We have two more big games coming out, LEGO Marvel coming out as well as the next installation of the Batman Arkham series coming out in October as well.
Of course, at the time of the article Tsujihara was talking about Arkham Origins, and now we know Arkham Knight will be delivered to us this winter.
Continuing on with the interview Tsujihara also said,
…the new franchises that we are going to be zoning are going to be DC franchises. We think there is big opportunities to build off of what we are doing throughout the rest of the company in games as well…I love where our slate is positioned going forward. We think we have the pillars of the foundation really in the right place.
This should be excited news for the DC fan. Unfortunately for the Marvel fan, Disney hasn’t said much recently on its Marvel video games. All this talk of superhero video games, what with Arkham Knight coming out, and all the business with the superhero movies, (over 15 slated over the next five years), got us thinking. What DC super heroes deserve to have their own franchises, like our dear old Dark Knight?
Here’s a list of some! Put your own thoughts in the comments
Injustice: Gods Among Us (as many sequels as possible)
Not only did people love the mortal combat style Justice League game, people want more of it! Injustice, with its great story line, epic cutscenes, and fun gameplay, became super popular, almost overnight. Injustice: Gods Among Us 2 has already been confirmed, but there is hope that it won’t be a two video game franchise and then done, but keeps going. There have also been calls for a Justice League game, but with the play style of the Arkham Games, more free flowing, and with the entire universe open. One can only dream however
Raven
“Azarath Metrion Zinthos!”
If the Arkham series has taught us anything, it is that people love dark and brooding games. Raven is the perfect character for that type of game. Open up world travel between Raven’s world and Earth. Create cutscenes with Raven’s powerful magic, or her dad destroying a world just for fun. Raven’s story, dark, destructful, and full to the brim with the type of emotional angst that teenagers love, would be ideal for a stand alone video game that could lead to Teen Titans franchise.
Green Arrow
Who doesn’t love Archer who is basically Batman, but with a bow, from the west coast, wears green, and is happy! Oliver Queen is already getting a lot of love in the hit show, Arrow, and is ready for a video game franchise of his own. Archery fans would love to get their hands on a game all about shooting people with arrows, solving crimes, being intimidating, and dating pretty ladies. With his perky side, the game would probably be lighter than the Arkham series, and you might even be able to play in the day time. Star City, or Starling City, or Seattle, whatever setting they choose, would be a fun place to get around, and do good with the emerald archer.
Nightwing
Fans love the grown up Robin, who left Batman to become his own man. Nightwing, in the blue and black (or red and black depending on which one you like), has been a popular character in the DC world for quite some time. A stand alone Nightwing game would probably be best serve as part of the Arkham franchise, in which developers could use the world of Gotham already created, and build upon the storylines already made, but from a different vantage point. Or they could choose to go a different direction, placing Dick Grayson in Bludhaven or Chicago and have him fight crime then.
Slade/Deathstroke
Slade Wilson is not technically a super hero, or even a hero. He has been used as a villain or anti-hero depending on what the writers need. In Injustice and the show Arrow he has been an anti-hero, while in the show Smallville and Teen Titans, he has been a villain (a main villain in Teen Titans).
With Deathstroke’s video game could be set up as a first person shooter/hack and slasher, a different look for the super hero video games than we’re used to. Slade has an interesting origin story that could be explored, and his battle against super heros and villains alike could make for some fun boss levels.
Green Lantern
This is an obvious choice. Lets not make a Green Lantern game though that is like one of those bad after movie video games. If developers can get it right and make a Green Lantern video game that is as epic as the Arkham series, this could be a huge seller. Lantern is a hugely popular character, whose ability to create anything he wants from his ring could make for some really fun gameplay. Traveling between worlds, getting contracts from the Lantern Corps, fighting Sinestro, this could be the making for an epic video game.
Opinion: Let’s have John Stewart though, Hal Jordan is just sooooo boring.
Wonder Woman
A Wonder Woman game has the capability to combine today’s Earth with some really fun Greek Mythology. Having Wonder Woman fight against Hades, maybe even battle her own Amazonian sisters, as well as take on the villains of Earth would make for an intriguing game. With her superpowers, whip, invisible plane, and women power, Wonder Woman could give a unique story that could add to a future Justice League series, and help the current Wonder Woman movie rumored for later this decade. A Wonder Woman game would also give the industry a much need female super hero franchise.
Cyborg
Cyborg is such a fun character. With his “BOO YEAH!” his laugh, his ability to eat an amazing amount of food, and his sonic gun make for a great character. This would be a technology oriented story with Cyborg’s origin, S.T.A.R. Labs, interdimensional portals, etc. The story line could circle around his days before the Teen Titans, after them, or the new storyline as him being a founder of the Justice League. With the ability to use so many different weaponry, the usage of Cyborg could be incredibly exciting in a futuristic video game.
Aquaman
Aquaman offers what no one else really can, the entire world of the ocean. Playing in Atlantis, with the political undertaking of his kingship, as well as his unwillingness to partner with other metahumans, Aquaman’s setting provides a refreshing super hero video game. While traveling through all the world via Atlantean ships, or even a Dolphin, Aquaman’s ability to call forward beasts to his command would make for some pretty ferocious fights (Imagine having a legion of giant squid ripping his enemies a part).
Superman
This is probably inevitable, although there have been many articles written about how Superman is a bad video game character. Its touch for the big guy. Developers need to create a game where the play matches his superpowers, which are incredible. Make it necessary for him to use all his powers, and don’t make a game where all he does is bash things. That’s the reason why Hulk games are not very popular. If developers make a game where the storyline isn’t something out of the 1950s and it feels like Superman actually has to work hard, this game can be successful.
Let’s get this all done, and then make fantastic Justice League games for years to come.
