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RETAILBIZ: SPIDERMAN: SHATTERED DIMENSIONS MCV 13/08/10 75


Marvel universes collide as Spider-Man swings back into gaming...


by Billy Langsworthy


SINCE HIS first game appearance in 1982’s Spider-Man on the Atari 2600, Spidey has appeared in over 25 games. Now, in a dramatic shift, gamers can play as four different versions of the web-slinger, each from radically different Marvel universes. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions takes place after the Tablet of Order and Chaos is shattered due to a fight between Spider-Man and villain Mysterio. As a result, problems start occurring throughout different Marvel universes and it’s within these universes that players take control of the various Spideys. “There are hundreds of different alternative universes in the Spider-Man stories, so we had to nail down which four ones to use,” says Activision associate producer Kevin Umbricht. “We wanted ones that had a unique visual style that also brought something different to the table in terms of combat





and white film noir genre. In keeping with this, stealth and silence are key factors in Noir Spider-Man’s means of disposing enemies.


If we keep it fresh and keep it exciting, then people will keep coming back to the Spider-Man video games.


Kevin Umbricht, Activision


mechanics. This is very accurate to the source material.”


The new game is bound to please long-time fans of the Marvel comics as each universe is directly taken from graphic novels, from the early Amazing Spider-Man comics of the early sixties to the Marvel Noir series released last year. The Amazing Universe will be based on the original comic and players will use the Amazing Spider-Man in the traditional red and blue suit with his main attacks based on his web moves. Noir Spider-Man will reside in the Noir Universe based around the 2009 comic. Set in the 1930s, this Marvel universe is infused and influenced by the shadowy world of pulp fiction and boasts smoky alleys and darkness inspired by the aesthetics of the black





The 2099 Universe is based on the 1992 comic, Spider-Man 2099, and the setting remains faithful with its bright neon visuals, flying cars and robotically suited enemies. Spider-Man 2099 will rely on his acrobatics with players utilising the various powers of his suit to progress. The final location is the Ultimate Universe, taking inspiration from the comic and 2005 game of the same name. Activision hopes Shattered Dimensions will please long time fans of the superhero as – along with its comic book influences – it makes use of a range of familiar Spider-Man TV voice actors. Neil Patrick Harris of Spider-Man: The New Animated Series will voice Amazing Spider-Man, Christopher Daniel Barnes of 1994’s Spider Man will voice Noir Spider- Man, Dan Gilvezan of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends will voice Spider- Man 2099 and Josh Keaton of The Spectacular Spider-Man will lend his talents to Ultimate Spider-Man. As a means of fuelling excitement around the game, Activision gradually revealed each new universe to fans over a period of time, with the fourth and final universe kept under wraps until the end of July.


Activision is also offering fans who pre-order the game a code that allows them to download Cosmic Spider-Man, a playable in-game character who comes complete with a signature attack. Umbricht says: “Spider-Man has been around for 50 years. They’ve announced a new TV show, there’s a movie coming out and the comics are still going strong. Another game is a logical transition as it’s an interactive Spider-Man experience you can’t get anywhere else. If we keep it fresh and keep it exciting then people will keep coming back to Spider-Man.” By bringing together Marvel worlds and characters, Activision appears to have indeed created a fresh approach to the franchise that will appeal to new fans as well as dedicated followers of our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man.


RELEASED: SEPTEMBER 7 FORMATS: 360, PS3, WII, PC, DS PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION DEVELOPER: BEENOX (360, PS3, WII, PC) / GRIPTONITE GAMES (DS) PRICE: £49.99 DISTRIBUTOR: CENTRESOFT CONTACT: 0121 625 3388


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