The year was 2017 and people around the world were preparing for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Thor: Ragnarok. While Marvel was gearing up for another blockbuster year, the people at Kabam were about to kick-off their third year of Marvel Contest of Champions.
Set in the Marvel Universe, the mobile game was strongly based on the events of the limited comic book series Contest of Champions, that found the Grandmaster challenging a hooded female name Death to a game for the life of his fellow Elder, the Collector. The pair decide to use various superheroes from Earth as pawns, the goal is to collect the four pieces of a prize called the “Golden Globe of Life.” A victory for the Grandmaster’s team means the Collector may be resurrected, while a loss indicates the character must remain dead.
The Grandmaster’s team consists of Captain America, Talisman, Darkstar, Captain Britain, Wolverine, Defensor, Sasquatch, Daredevil, Peregrine, She-Hulk, The Thing and Blitzkrieg.
Death’s team consists of Iron Man, Vanguard, Iron Fist, Shamrock, Storm, Arabian Knight, Sabra, Invisible Girl, Angel, Black Panther, Sunfire, and the Collective Man.
Described 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” by Kabam’s Creative Director Cuz Parry.
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’s Contest of Champions requires a persistent Internet connection for both single and multiplayer modes.
In honor of the game’s spin-off, Realm of Champions created by Kabam and Marvel Games, (which will take place in the same universe, and will expand on the story from Contest of Champions), The Koalition remembers the excitement of 2017’s Marvel Contest of Champions with Cuz Parry (Creative Director) and Luke Takeuchi (Producer).
Check out our interview below.
