Marvel’s Avengersdeveloper Crystal Dynamics is already gathering playtesters for a new, secret project. Crystal Dynamics had already made a name for itself by developing theLegacy of Kainseries and theTomb Raiderreboot games before releasingMarvel’s Avengersin late 2020. With this team-based, live-service superhero action title, publisher Square Enix hoped to capitalize on the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and games likeMarvel’s Spider-Manand theBatman: Arkhamseries, but this ultimately wasn’t to be.
As far back asMarvel’s Avengers’pre-release build-up, the game had caught significant backlash for its character designs and the touted live-service model - the latter of which raised concerns thatMarvel’s Avengerswould feature pay-to-win mechanics. This would only grow asMarvel’s Avengerslaunched to a lukewarm response from players, culminating in the announcement thatsupport forMarvel’s Avengerswill endlater this year. The latestMarvel’s Avengersupdate that was released late last month was its last, and made all of the game’s cosmetic items completely free of charge on top of two final skins for Iron Man and Thor.
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It seems like Crystal Dynamics is already working on its next project ahead ofMarvel’s Avengers’ impending demise, and is looking for players to test it out. As reported by PCGames late last week, Crystal Dynamics has sent out email invitations to fans who filled outa recentLegacy of Kainsurveyto participate in an upcoming playtest. This playtest will be done remotely, with the email requiring would-be participants to have a PC or Mac with a web camera, microphone, and Microsoft Teams installed. A representative from Crystal Dynamics would confirm that these invitations are genuine but declined to comment on exactly what the playtest in question is for.
The fact that this invite is aimed at fans who completed last October’sLegacy of Kainsurvey suggests that this project could be a new installment of the cult-classic vampire action-adventure series. There hasn’t been anewLegacy of Kaingamesince 2003’sLegacy of Kain: Defiance, though a free-to-play multiplayer spin-off titledNosgothwas planned before being canceled in 2016.
Embracer Group, which bought Crystal Dynamics (and with it, therights toTomb RaiderandLegacy of Kain) from Square Enix last May, expressed interest in raisingLegacy of Kainfrom its nearly two-decade-long slumber in the wake of last year’s survey. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the project Crystal Dynamics is gathering playtesters for is indeed the follow-up that fans have been waiting for since 2003. Only time will tell what Crystal Dynamics has in store for players now thatMarvel’s Avengersis over, but it seems like the storied developer is already working on its next big title.
Marvel’s Avengersis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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