Marvel: Contest of Champions

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Marvel Contest of Champions
Marvel Contest of champions official banner logo.jpg
Developer(s) Kabam, Raw Thrills (arcade version)
Publisher(s) Kabam, Dave & Buster's (arcade version)
Platform(s) iOS, Android, Arcade
ReleaseDecember 10, 2014
Genre(s) Fighting
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Marvel: Contest of Champions is a 2014 mobile fighting game [1] developed and published by Kabam, it is one of the 5 best marvel games [2] . It was released on December 10, 2014 for iOS and Android. [3] The fighting game is primarily set in the Marvel Universe. [4] The game is strongly based on the events of the limited comic book series Contest of Champions . [5] [6] An arcade version was released in 2019, developed by Raw Thrills and exclusive to Dave & Buster's locations. [7] The arcade cabinet claims that the game is inspired by the film Captain Marvel , but this was done for marketing purposes.

Kabam is an interactive entertainment company founded in 2006 and headquartered in Vancouver, BC. with offices in San Francisco, CA and Austin, Texas. The company creates, develops and publishes massively multiplayer social games (MMSG’s) such as Marvel Contest of Champions for mobile devices. Before expanding into gaming, Kabam established itself as a social applications developer with entertainment and sports communities totaling more than 60 million users. Kabam markets freemium games for mobile devices, and social networking services,. The company's previous investors included Alibaba, Canaan Partners, Google, MGM, Intel, Pinnacle Ventures, Redpoint Ventures, Warner Bros. and others.

iOS Mobile operating system by Apple

iOS is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware. It is the operating system that presently powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. It is the second most popular mobile operating system globally after Android.

Android (operating system) Free and open-source operating system for mobile devices, developed by Google

Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google. It is based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open source software, and is designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. In addition, Google has developed Android TV for televisions, Android Auto for cars, and Wear OS for wearables, each with a specialized user interface. Variants of Android are also used on game consoles, digital cameras, PCs and other electronics.

Contents

Gameplay

A gameplay screenshot shows Spider-Man (left) fighting Captain America (right) in the arena. Marvel Contest Of Champions fighting arena (spidey vs cap).jpg
A gameplay screenshot shows Spider-Man (left) fighting Captain America (right) in the arena.

Players assume the role of a Summoner, tasked by The Collector to build a team of Marvel heroes and villains and pit them against one another in combat. Gameplay is similar to that of Injustice: Gods Among Us and Mortal Kombat X, where the game's fighting arena is rendered in 3D with a 2D plane for the superheroes' movements and actions. New players begin with access to two 1-star characters, and can work to access additional characters including Iron Man, Thor, Black Bolt, Hulk, Storm, Ultron, Iron Fist, and Ronan. Each character is upgradable, featuring their own classes, movements, traits, abilities, and special moves.

<i>Injustice: Gods Among Us</i> 2013 video game

Injustice: Gods Among Us is a fighting video game based upon the fictional universe of DC Comics. The game was developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii U. It was released in April 2013 in North America, Europe, and Australia, and June 2013 in Japan. An expanded version of the game, titled Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition, was released in November 2013 for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows. A free-to-play mobile app based on Injustice was also released for Android and iOS devices. A prequel comic book series of the same name, written by Tom Taylor, was released beginning in January 2013.

<i>Mortal Kombat X</i> 2015 fighting video game

Mortal Kombat X (MKX) is a fighting video game developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Running on the Unreal Engine 3, it is the tenth main installment in the Mortal Kombat video game series and a sequel to the 2011 game Mortal Kombat. It was released on April 14, 2015 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. NetherRealm Studios' mobile team developed a version for iOS and Android devices. High Voltage Software developed the PC version of the game, with Polish studio QLOC taking over the work on it shortly after the release of Kombat Pack 1.

Iron Man Superhero appearing in Marvel Comics publications

Iron Man is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer and editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby. The character made his first appearance in Tales of Suspense #39, and received his own title in Iron Man #1.

Gameplay features an energy system that limits the number of quest-based battles in which players can compete. Energy recharges automatically at a set rate over time or players can refill their energy manually. The energy limit is increased when players increase their level. Game items (such as crystals) that impact play may be found in chests as players win battles. In addition to quests, users can battle opponents in the game's "Versus" mode, pitting their champions against those of another player in one-on-one matches or three-on-three limited-time arenas. However, the opponents are A.I.-controlled so it is not an actual real-time player battle. Controversially, Marvel Contest of Champions requires a persistent Internet connection for both single and multiplayer modes. [8]

Controls are designed for touch, rather than adapting buttons or virtual joysticks. Gameplay includes light, medium, and heavy attack options, as well as block and dodge. The character can shuffle back or sprint forward, and each hero has three of their own special attacks (unlocked with ranks and stars), as well as unique abilities and a signature ability. Synergy Bonuses reward the player for combining characters who have a unique relationship. For example, combining Star-Lord with Rocket Raccoon or Groot rewards every team member with a +70% increase of Armor ratings. As stated by Cuz Parry from Kabam, "There is also a combo system that rewards players for mixing up their moves and performing well-timed blocks. The higher the combo, the faster your special attacks regenerate." [4] As characters take and deal damage, a power meter fills which indicates the potential for unique moves. When the player levels-up their characters, more-powerful special attacks are possible but can be used less frequently due to their higher power cost. [9]

Star-Lord comic book character

Star-Lord is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character, created by Steve Englehart and Steve Gan, first appeared in Marvel Preview #4. The son of human Meredith Quill and Spartoi J'son, Peter Quill assumes the mantle of Star-Lord, an interplanetary policeman.

Rocket Raccoon comic book character

Rocket Raccoon is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Bill Mantlo and artist Keith Giffen, the character first appeared in Marvel Preview #7. He is an intelligent, anthropomorphic raccoon, who is an expert marksman, weapon specialist and master tactician. His name and aspects of his character are a nod to The Beatles' 1968 song "Rocky Raccoon". Rocket Raccoon appeared as a prominent member in the 2008 relaunch of the superhero team Guardians of the Galaxy.

Groot comic book and movie character

Groot is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #13. An extraterrestrial, sentient tree-like creature, the original Groot first appeared as an invader that intended to capture humans for experimentation.

Characters can be leveled up by using ISO-8 and Gold and ranked up with Catalysts, which are all gained when fighting in Story Quests and special events. Class-specific ISO-8 and Catalysts provide heroes of the specified class a bonus. Completing quests provides XP (experience points) and unlocks the ability to add more heroes to the player's roster, to a maximum of five heroes. Higher levels also allow players to save more ISO-8, catalysts and objects. [10] In addition to taking part in a global chat feature, players can also join alliances. Alliances allow chat amongst other members and provide the opportunity to work together to earn alliance points, used to earn its own type of crystal.

Other quests

To tie-in with the release of Avengers: Age of Ultron , Marvel Contest of Champions was updated in late April 2015 to include Ultron-centric events and characters. To assist in the Ultron missions, all players received 2-star Black Widow, Vision and Hulkbuster characters. The new quest, called "Ultron's Assault", was a limited-time Story Quest; it contained many small quests, referred to as Event Quests or story events, and provided new rewards through play. Additional limited-time quests have been introduced over the lifetime of the game, each playable for a period before being removed to make way for another quest. These quests often coincide with the release of comics, movies and TV series, though there seems to be a routine at Kabam to release a new quest every month even if there isn't a specific project to promote.

<i>Avengers: Age of Ultron</i> 2015 superhero film produced by Marvel Studios

Avengers: Age of Ultron is a 2015 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team the Avengers, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is the sequel to 2012's The Avengers and the eleventh film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film was written and directed by Joss Whedon and features an ensemble cast that includes Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Cobie Smulders, Anthony Mackie, Hayley Atwell, Idris Elba, Stellan Skarsgård, James Spader, and Samuel L. Jackson. In the film, the Avengers fight Ultron, an artificial intelligence obsessed with causing human extinction.

Hulkbusters is the name of three fictional organizations appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. All three groups exist within Marvel's shared universe known as the Marvel Universe and are so-named for their attempts to battle the Hulk.

Alliances

Alliances are the groups or parties of the game, which can include up to 30 players and be private or open. Alliances allow players to gain alliance crystals and to access alliance quests. These alliances can be created with battle chips or units. Alliances can also take part in Alliance Events, such as "Item Use", "Villain Use" or "Summoner Advancement", each granting player rewards. Members of an alliance can assist one another in quests, and alliance members are ranked in relation to each other. The alliance leader is able to choose which members become officers, who are able to remove players from their alliance. In "Alliance Wars", two alliances compete head-to-head.

Locations

There are a number of different locations where the battles take place. These include: the Avengers' Tower, the Astral Plane (overseen by the Eye of Agamotto), the Sanctum Sanctorum, Asteroid M, the Asgard throne room, Asgard vault, Asgard power station, The Kyln, Hell's Kitchen, Knowhere, the Savage Land, a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier hangar, Sokovia, Grandmaster's 'Galactorum', the Wakandan necropolis, and an Oscorp laboratory.

Titles

With the two-year anniversary of the game (Version 11.1 – 10 December 2016), Kabam introduced titles that players can select. [11] The player starts off with the default title ”Summoner,” and the various other titles are unlocked by fully completing quests or meeting other in-game achievements.

Characters

Marvel Contest of Champions features many playable heroes and villains. Playable fighters can come in one of six tiers, signified by 1 through 6 stars. Not all characters are available in every tier, and while some can be obtained through various crystals, others can only be obtained via the Versus arenas or special promotion.

Each character is assigned to one of six classes: Cosmic, Tech, Mutant, Skill, Science, and Mystic. In some quests, using the character of a particular class will get the player through ”gates” that block other paths. There are also relationships between the classes, and each have an advantage over another (e.g., Cosmic has an advantage over Tech, Tech over Mutant, Mutant over Skill, etc.). Characters with a class advantage over their opponent gain a class bonus, boosting their base attack by a certain percentage during the fight. Three-star heroes and four-star heroes gain a higher percentage of damage compared to two-star heroes.

Some characters, such as Dark Phoenix, The Collector, The Grandmaster, and Maestro, are non-playable, several of which were only available for a limited time in Event Quests.

Playable characters:

Development

Kabam creative director Cuz Parry describes the game as a "one vs. one, arcade-style fighting game with multiplayer as well as role-playing game elements with a quest/story mode where you're pitted against a wide range of heroes and villains from the Marvel Universe".[ citation needed ]

Expansion to China

On April 28, 2015, Kabam and Longtu Games announced that Marvel Contest of Champions would be published in China in late 2015. Some elements of the game will be changed for the Chinese market. [12] The version was later shut down and all players were transferred to the international version.

Comic book adaptation

In June 2015, Marvel announced they would be publishing a comic book adaptation of the game that would take place in the main Marvel universe. The comic also introduced new heroes such as White Fox, a heroine from South Korea, and Guillotine, a French heroine with a mystical sword who was the first original character to the game. The Maestro served as the antagonist in the series. [13] [14]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings (iOS) 75.00% [15]
Metacritic (iOS) 76/100 [16]

Marvel Contest of Champions has received a generally positive response. Upon release in December 2014, the game was named Editors' Choice on the App Store. As of 2015, it had more than 40 million downloads. [12] [ needs update ] The 19.0 update has caused issues with iOS devices overheating, but it was later fixed.

The game was also nominated for "Action Game" at the 2019 Webby Awards. [17]

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References

  1. ↑ Shaul, Brandy. "Marvel ContestChampions" . Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Top 5 best Marvel games in history for Android and iOS" . Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Marvel Contest of Champions release date" . Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 21, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.Cite uses deprecated parameter |deadurl= (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ↑ "Marvel's Contest of Champions Comics and Games -A History – SuperHero Reviews and News". superheroreviews.com. July 24, 2016.
  6. ↑ Sherr, Ian (June 29, 2015). "Marvel's Contest of Champions leaps from video game to comic book". cnet . Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Marvel Contest of Champions arcade cabinet" . Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  8. ↑ Fahey, Mike. "There's Not Much To Love About The Latest Marvel Game". Kotaku. Retrieved February 5, 2017.[ better source needed ]
  9. ↑ "Marvel Contest of Champions Review: A Superb, Simplified Slugfest – Gamezebo". gamezebo.com. January 2, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Marvel Contest Of Champions Review – TouchArcade". toucharcade.com.
  11. ↑ "Marvel Contest of Champions Changelog". playcontestofchampions.com.
  12. 1 2 "Kabam and Longtu Games Announce Strategic Agreement to Launch Marvel Contest of Champions in China". marketwatch.com.
  13. ↑ "Marvel Announces "Contest Of Champions" Series From Ewing, Medina". comicbookresources.com. June 29, 2015.
  14. ↑ "CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS #1: Are You Not Entertained?". ComicsVerse . Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Marvel Contest of Champions". GameRankings. April 20, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Marvel Contest of Champions". Metacritic. April 20, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  17. ↑ "2019 Winners". The Webby Awards. April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
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