Why did DC never develop a DC Universe "Ultimate Alliance?"

[HyenaThePirate]

Is it that the characters are more complex in the DC Universe and present less "action" as opposed to exposition? Is it that the bulk of the mainstream DC Heroes universe revolves around heroes that could be considered "Over-powered" and thus it's hard to make an exciting game that includes the fastest man alive, the greatest hero in the universe, an interstellar police man, and the man without fear?

A while back they made a piss poor Justice League game, but I'm wondering why no one has tried to mimic the success of the X-men/Marvel rpgs that came out a few years ago.

I guess at least there is DC Universe Online... assuming anyone is still playing it; but why do you think they've never done this?

 

[Kopikatsu]

Is it that the characters are more complex in the DC Universe and present less "action" as opposed to exposition? Is it that the bulk of the mainstream DC Heroes universe revolves around heroes that could be considered "Over-powered" and thus it's hard to make an exciting game that includes the fastest man alive, the greatest hero in the universe, an interstellar police man, and the man without fear?

A while back they made a piss poor Justice League game, but I'm wondering why no one has tried to mimic the success of the X-men/Marvel rpgs that came out a few years ago.

I guess at least there is DC Universe Online... assuming anyone is still playing it; but why do you think they've never done this?

Here's the deal.

Pretty much every super hero belongs to one of a few different organizations in Marvel (Mainly SHIELD), so it makes it easy to team them up. Also, they have TONS of different villainous 'gangs' and organizations, so it's pretty easy to pick a few big namers (Let's just say SHIELD and the Hellfire Club vs Hydra and AIM for the hell of it) and make a game off that.

What does DC have? The Justice League and Injustice Syndicate. Not...too big.

Also, yes. DC has more 'normal' heroes than Marvel (As in, have no real super powers and rely on gadgets or training), but they also have much, MUCH more powerful super heroes than Marvel. Basically, I'm pretty sure that Dr. Fate alone could wipe out every Marvel character at the same time, excluding Doctor Strange...but I still think Dr. Fate would beat Strange eventually.

Unless some contrived whatever occured, there isn't any conceivable reason that Superman would need Green Arrow's help, for example. Also, in Marvel, it's basically a giant battle orgy all the time where anyone of almost any power level could jump in and conceivably win. In DC, heroes pretty much stay within their power level. For example, Superman doesn't fight crooks that Green Arrow does, and Dr. Fate wouldn't bother with Superman-level foes.

 

[HyenaThePirate]

I don't know... they managed to do it quite well with the Justice League. It isn't uncommon for one or more villains to work together in the DC universe against a hero or two. And I think DC has honestly the more interesting "evil societies." Cadmus project, Apokalips, etc.. But I see what you are saying about them being much more powerful. With the exception of perhaps Wolverine (who is mostly immortal), I think the trouble is that DC heroes ARE way too over powered. Sure putting a team together of Batman, Plastic Man, Superman and Lobo would be pants-creaming fun, but realistically there are few groups of villains that would provide much challenge for the bulk of the DC universe.

You know, they COULD make it around an established series though, like Final Crisis or Darkest Night.

 

[thenamelessloser]

I don't know... they managed to do it quite well with the Justice League. It isn't uncommon for one or more villains to work together in the DC universe against a hero or two. And I think DC has honestly the more interesting "evil societies." Cadmus project, Apokalips, etc.. But I see what you are saying about them being much more powerful. With the exception of perhaps Wolverine (who is mostly immortal), I think the trouble is that DC heroes ARE way too over powered. Sure putting a team together of Batman, Plastic Man, Superman and Lobo would be pants-creaming fun, but realistically there are few groups of villains that would provide much challenge for the bulk of the DC universe.

You know, they COULD make it around an established series though, like Final Crisis or Darkest Night.

Um. Marvel Characters have just as ridiculous over powered characters such as Thor and the Hulk. I think it has nothing to do with the particular universes or characters, just that Marvel had a better design team making the games. Afterall, I think that justice league game was there attempt at making a ultimate alliance/legends type game. Heck, Raven (the developers of think most or all of the ultimate alliance style marvel games) even made a good movie tie in game...

Was there even a good DC game besides Batman Arkham Asylum?

 

[Agent_Dark]

no other teams in DCU? What about the Teen Titans? Justice Society? Doom Patrol? And as far as enemies go, Society of Villians, Intergang, Darkseid and Co. etc. There's no reason for no Ultimate Alliance kinda game, other than no will to make one.

 

[HyenaThePirate]

Um. Marvel Characters have just as ridiculous over powered characters such as Thor and the Hulk. I think it has nothing to do with the particular universes or characters, just that Marvel had a better design team making the games. Heck, Raven even made a good movie tie in game...

Was there even a good DC game besides Batman Arkham Asylum?

Um.. the Hulk is ridiculous overpowered I agree, but they really had to work to do that to him... somehow the hulk's healing factor is even better than WOLVERINE's at this point, where even if he is reduced to a cloud of hulk mist he can re-generate himself.. it got stupid after a while. And Thor is only SO powerful, I've seen weaker people take him down.

One thing Marvel never did was give their heroes singular "weaknesses" like how Superman is weak to Kryptonite, how Batman is simply a very well trained human, Martian Manhunter is weak to fire. But No doubt DC has the larger amount of Overpowered heroes. Hell, just about any person in the DC lineup could take down a good majority of the Marvel universe heroes alone. Heck, I'm convinced Batman could probably defeat the Avengers all by himself within hours.

As for good DC games.. The only other one I can think of is Superman Returns. I don't care what people say, I LIKED that game and had a blast with it. Other than that, DC has had a rather misfortunate experience making games. Marvel however did too.. the only reason Marvel has had greater gaming success is that they didn't quit TRYING while DC rarely tries.

 

[The_Blue_Rider]

Maybe because it will inevitably be compared to the Ultimate Alliance franchise? If the game is sub par then apart from Loyal DC fans no one will want to buy it.

Also DC doesnt have as many marketable characters as Marvel