While the MCU remains dormant during the COVID-19 pandemic, the gaming scene has become innundated withMarvel’s Avengers. The game has received a lot of marketing, and has proved somewhat controversial due to its live service nature. While developer Crystal Dynamics has been responsive to complaints,promising to fix things like the Hive loot bug, it has not been idle on non-Avengers(probably) projects either.
Crystal Dynamics had not made anything resemblingMarvel’s Avengersbefore, although the company is no stranger to adventure games. Popular series under its belt includeTomb RaiderandLegacy of Kain, as well as the less successfulGex. This is why players may perk up their ears at the news that Crystal Dynamics is hiring for a new project.
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As made clear by the numerous position openings listed on its website,Crystal Dynamics is hiring for a new AAA title project. This is somewhat surprising since the company only recently releasedMarvel’s Avengers, which is slated for ongoing live service support. There is some speculation that the new positions may be to help withMarvel’s AvengersDLC. That said, the nature of the positions open suggest the game in question may have a different focus. Based on what Crystal Dynamics is looking for, it may be trying to make a third-person shooter, multiplayer-centered game, possibly another live service.
According to its job postings, Crystal Dynamics is looking for a multiplayer systems designer, as well as a online services engineer, among other online multiplayer necessary positions. The detailed descriptions ask for someone with experience in “ranged combat control, tuning, and balance in a PVE and PVP multiplayer environment.” Also called for is someone skilled at “designing and driving progression systems, engaging rewards, and setting a path for an ongoing in-game economy.” All of this points to a multiplayer game focused on ranged combat with a PVE component and a progression system centered around an in-game economy. That could cover a lot of games, althoughDestiny 2and possiblyCall of Dutycome to mind immediately. Unless the addition of Hawkeye and possibly Crossfire, one of themost desired villains forMarvel’s AvengersDLC, severely changes the dynamic of the game, it’s unlikely these positions are forAvengersfocused content.
Of course, there’s a chance that the new job opportunities were caused by layoffs. It would not be the first time a company’s success has been followed by it firing many employees. Last yearActivision Blizzard fired almost 800 employees despite a “record year.” This probably isn’t the case for Crystal Dynamics, but it will behoove players to keep their ears open.
There’s a real chance that this will be a completely new IP for Crystal Dynamics, for better or worse. Players looking for their oldschool games must be content with thefan madeLegacy of Kain: Soul Reaverremaster. Only time will tell what Crystal Dynamics has in store and what it will mean for those who purchasedMarvel’s Avengers.
Marvel’s Avengersis out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, with PS5 and Xbox Series X versions in development.
