MMORPG.com: What was the goal with the design of Team-Ups? How do Team-Ups work, exactly?
Ryan Collins: The idea of Team-Ups has its roots starting back in 1972 with the comic series, Marvel Team-Up! The series featured Spider-Man and one other hero (often a more obscure one) teaming up to defeat a common foe. We thought it would be awesome to bring this to Marvel Heroes, so that even solo players would be able to experience the thrill of playing alongside another hero.
Team-Up Heroes are companions who join your team and fight alongside you. They have their own gear that will allow you to customize their stats as well as a power tree. You can choose to use Team-Up Heroes in one of three different ways: a permanent companion, a short-burst attack summon, or a short-duration summon, who gives you bonuses while they are away (for players who don’t necessarily want to have a Team-Up out at all times).
MMORPG.com: Will any villains be available as Team-Ups?
Ryan Collins: Not at the moment. The first wave of Team-Ups includes Spider-Man, Falcon, Magik and Firestar, but don’t be surprised if you see villains in Team-Ups in the future!
MMORPG.com: What sort of characters are you looking to add as team-up characters? Will we continue to see major characters (like Spiderman) as team-ups? Or will this feature be primarily an outlet to get some of the lower profile characters in the game in some form? Both?
Ryan Collins: We’re looking at both and the great thing about Team-Up Heroes is that it allows us to expand the Marvel Heroes roster from fan favorites like Spider-Man to some of the more obscure that you might not have seen as a playable hero. Using Spider-Man as a Team-Up hero was both a way to pay homage to that original comic series and a way to assure fans that just because a hero is a Team-Up, it doesn’t mean they won’t be playable in the future.
MMORPG.com: How will players acquire team-ups? Will they only be available for purchase with Gs or can they be earned in game?
Ryan Collins: Great question! Team-Up Heroes are available for purchase in the Store, but they are also available through our in-game currency called Eternity Splinters, that are dropped in-game. In this way, it’s something that all players can enjoy, whether they play a lot or a little.
MMORPG.com: Can these characters be customized in any way? Will there be costumes available for them? Gear progression? Power tree customization?
Ryan Collins: Currently there are no costumes for Team-Ups yet, but you can customize their stats based on the gear you equip them with.
As for the power tree customization, it allows you to adjust how your Team-Up Heroes behave and how you want to utilize them. Some might want their Team-Up Hero out at all times to fight alongside them while others might want to use them as a high-burst damage summon. You can also have them away and receive a very powerful on-hit proc effect and bonus to item find.
MMORPG.com: How will you expand on the team-up functionality in the future? What are some of the improvements or additions you guys are looking at?
We’re always open to player feedback and it’s great that players love running around with their Team-Ups. The biggest thing we want to do right now is expand our Team-Up roster.
MMORPG.com: Are there any future team-up characters you can share with us at this time?
Ryan Collins: Personally, I would love to see She-Hulk as a possible Team-Up Hero, but I make no promises!
