In 2008, Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debuted with Robert Downy Jr. playing the role of Tony Star / Iron Man. This action movie started a juggernaut series of movies which took home $11.76 billion after 16 movies. As 2018 will mark full decade of the movie, Oculus joined forces with Walt Disney Pictures and announced their first collaborative title, Powers United VR.
This cooperative game puts players in the role of one of dozen heroes or anti-heroes, who must work together to defeat all the opponents in Arena-style levels. In their announcement, Oculus Studios stated the following:
“Step inside the Marvel Universe and rage through epic battles alongside three of your friends. With full locomotion, smart comfort options, and more than a dozen playable characters ripped from the pages of your favorite comics, this is hands-down one of the most action-packed games coming in 2018.
We’re also excited to share the game’s first three characters:
- Harness your rage to vanquish Super Villains with Hulk’s seismic punch, thunder clap, and more
- Take aim and take out bad guys with Rocket Raccoon’s blasters and scatter rifle
- From photon beams and super strength to the power of flight, Captain Marvel’s got the whole team covered
Want to know what it’s like to smash enemies as the Hulk? Or fire blasts of energy from your bare hands? San Diego Comic-Con attendees will get hands-on with the game at the Marvel booth July 19-23! Stay tuned to powersunitedvr.com for more reveals in the months leading up to launch.
We’ll see you in the Marvel Universe!”
In an action packed trailer we can see how the MCU is coming together, and an indirect admission that Guardians of the Galaxy will play a role in Avengers: Infinity War. The game trailer introduces several popular characters, such as Captain Marvel, The Incredible Hulk, Rocket (Guardians of the Galaxy). Given that The Incredible Hulk will appear in Thor: Ragnarok (November 3rd, 2017), Captain Marvel releases on March 8th, 2019 and we will have to wait until May 1st, 2020 for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 – Power United VR represents a good way to enjoy popular Marvel characters between the movies.
Powers United VR is not the only high-detail MCU game en route, but developers weren’t willing to give more details during the D23 conference, outside that this will not be the only VR title in Marvel’s universe. If the game picks up, we would not be surprised to see Disney jumping onto the Marvel VR Universe, supplementing Marvel TV Universe and Marvel Cinematic Universe. Crossovers such as “Inhumans” (September 1st, 2017), debuting on IMAX and then moving to TV screens show that Disney wants to see more out of its universe. Full game poster art:
Powers United VR by Oculus Studios. Developed by Senzaru Studios using characters from Marvel Entertainment / The Walt Disney Company.
Oculus Studios is developing the title jointly with Sanzaru Studios, with Disney offering on-location services though a multitude of VRX (Virtual Reality eXperience) which are opening across Disneyland locations around the globe. Powers United VR is set to be released between the Black Panther (February 16th, 2018) and Avengers: Infinity War, which is currently scheduled for release on May 4th, 2018.
