DC Games Struggling: Imitation Might be the Key to Success

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Lately, adaptations of DC video games haven’t been doing as well, putting pressure on the company to secure a significant triumph in the gaming world. At one point, DC video games enjoyed their peak with the Arkham series, but the subsequent years have presented numerous hurdles. The Arkham series established an impressive standard that has been hard to surpass, and the past year was particularly challenging for DC-themed games, a trend which unfortunately persists even into 2025.

The game titled “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,” initially slated as one of the significant releases in 2024, unfortunately faced numerous challenges. The live-service title encountered a rough start, garnering mostly mixed reviews from both critics and gamers, with many expressing more negative opinions. To make matters worse, DC gaming suffered another blow when developer Monolith was closed down, along with their “Wonder Woman” game project. If DC games aim to recover from this downturn, they might find success by learning from imitation and observing the strategies of their competitor, Marvel.

Wonder Woman Promised Originality, While Suicide Squad Couldn’t Blend Live-Service Trends With its Storytelling

If DC Insists On More Live-Service, Marvel Rivals Should Be the Blueprint

One significant criticism of Suicide Squad lies in its blend of narrative-focused gameplay with live-service features. It seems that the latter, which has been a popular trend for quite some time, felt more like an additional feature rather than a core part of the game’s design. Compared to other games in the same genre, the post-launch content for Suicide Squad fell short. The updates were sparse and not frequent enough, leaving many players wanting more substantial story development instead of microtransactions or grinding sessions. Given that the game is set within the Arkham universe, a large number of fans were eager for a compelling narrative rather than these additional elements.

Rocksteady’s endeavor to create a live-service game within the Arkhamverse might have fallen short, but if DC and Warner Bros. persist in producing live-service games, mimicking the style of Marvel Rivals could be the most effective approach. Marvel Rivals not only has its unique narrative and lore, but it primarily emphasizes engaging gameplay and providing a wealth of content for players.

In the initial stages, the debut of Helldivers 2 a month following the release of Suicide Squad caused some turbulence as well. Notably, Helldivers 2 has garnered acclaim for its post-release content.

The success of Marvel Rivals has demonstrated its effective application of the live-service model, making it a potentially straightforward method for the DC brand to secure a victory. However, Marvel Rivals does continue to elicit debate due to certain decisions it’s made. Nevertheless, the game has gained significant popularity in a short period. If DC were to create a game similar to Marvel Rivals, showcasing stylized renditions of characters like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and other members of the extensive DC universe, it would offer fast-paced battles and a wealth of content, making such a concept feasible.

The card collection game Marvel Snap could also be a source of inspiration for DC.

Original DC Games May Need to Be Put On Ice

Although Gunn’s meetings with Rocksteady and NetherRealm don’t guarantee new games, they certainly hint at exciting possibilities. If Warner Bros. and DC are planning to create more original, single-player-focused games, it would be wonderful. However, before that happens, considering a DC game in the style of Marvel Rivals could also be a smart move, offering the company a blend of both genres.

At the moment, it’s unclear what DC and WB have up their sleeves when it comes to video games. The premature end of Suicide Squad and the shelving of Wonder Woman are quite a setback. Moving forward with original content would be great, but in the meantime, enjoying the triumph of Marvel Rivals and its unique characters could also be an exciting diversion.

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2025-04-27 01:12