Crystal Dynamics had “unanticipated problems in the final stages of the game’s development,” according to Square Enix President Yosuke Matsuda.
Square Enix has openly acknowledged Marvel’s Avengers‘ “disappointing” performance in a statement released accompanied its annual report. Despite the worldwide success of Marvel’s cinematic universe, Crystal Dynamics’ live-service title has had a rocky start since its release in August of 2020. Initial sales for the title were hindered by poor reviews and a series of post-launch delays for content like Kate Bishop, which is still struggling to establish its footing over a year later.
Square Enix has now admitted that the game does not live up to its hype, according to VideoGamesChronicle. In the company’s annual report, Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda stated that the game “has sadly not been as successful as we would have liked.” One of the game’s challenges was the Covid-19 pandemic, with the requirement to “transition to work-from-home,” impeding production during the game’s closing phases of development.
While exact sales figures for Marvel‘s Avengers are unknown, the game failed at launch, losing publisher Square Enix millions of dollars. However, it appears that 2021 was a far stronger year for the championship. According to Forbes’ Paul Tassi, Marvel’s Avengers has performed surprisingly well this year, ranking as the #7 best-selling title over the past 12 months (as of August 2021). In addition, crystal Dynamics has recently released an updated content roadmap that now extends well into 2022. Despite its shaky start, Marvel’s Avengers appears to be following in the footsteps of other live-action games before it, learning from mistakes and steadily improving with time. Square Enix may yet have a hit on its hands with ongoing support.
Source: VideoGamesChronicle, Forbes
