SDCC’09: Matt Fraction to write Iron Man 2 video game

Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe Ltd. today announced details about the upcoming game Iron Man 2, including the fact that renowned comic book author Matt Fraction will be creating the game’s all-new story, which will include familiar elements from both the movie and comic book universes. Iron Man 2, the video game, will allow players to truly feel the power of Iron Man with new destructible environments, epic enemies, and innovative hand-to-hand combat moves, as well as other features from the film and comic book. The game will make its debut at San Diego Comic-Con in both the SEGA and Marvel booths, where fans will be treated to a sneak peak of the game, as well as signings by Matt Fraction.

This brand-new tale takes gamers deeper into the world of Iron Man, adding to the excitement of the upcoming Marvel Studios film. Iron Man 2 offers fans a chance to play against epic enemies not found in the film of the same name, such as the unforgettable Crimson Dynamo. In the game’s original story, Tony Stark has gifted the world with new technology in order to make it a better place. His philanthropic nature isn’t enough to keep evil at bay, however, as Iron Man’s enemies have crafted their own devious designs based on the technology. Ultimately, Iron Man will face epic battles against huge enemies, as the fate of the world is left in his powerful hands.

“Iron Man 2 presented me with the opportunity to work with both SEGA and Marvel on creating something wholly unique, – a story that exists at the crossroads of the comics I write, the film universe I was lucky enough to be asked to contribute to, and a wholly immersive interactive experience like this game,” says Fraction. “Writing a game presents an entirely new challenge, where the player engages with the world, with the big and small aspects of the place and characters. They’re a coconspirator in the narrative. I hope it’s as exciting and challenging to play as it was to write.”

Iron Man 2 takes players into a richer and more interactive Iron Man world. The game allows players to take full advantage of the Iron Man suit as they battle awesome enemies in both interior and exterior environments, all inspired by the movie and comic book universes. Those environments will also offer a new level of destructibility that makes each encounter with enemies a more exciting and intense experience.

The development team at SEGA Studios San Francisco has also paid close attention to comments from fans and critics concerning the first Iron Man movie game. As a result of this feedback, Iron Man 2 will feature a greater focus on powerful hand-to handcombat, as well as a completely redesigned control scheme, making it more fun for gamers to feel the power and strength of Iron Man.

“Iron Man has an undeniably huge fan base, and we really wanted to give them the game they have been waiting for. We spent a lot of time incorporating their concerns and feedback from the first game, as well as coming up with new ideas to take this game to a whole new level,” said Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America. “Creating a new story with renowned comic book writer Matt Fraction is a huge part of making that happen, and we are incredibly excited to bring fans the game we know they want with Iron Man 2.”

Matt Fraction is the Eisner-nominated and Eagle-winning writer of the creator owned comics CASANOVA, FIVE FISTS OF SCIENCE and LAST OF THE INDEPENDENTS. His work at Marvel includes THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN, THE UNCANNY X-MEN, THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST and many more. Iron Man 2, the video game, will be released in spring 2010. The game will be available for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PSP (PlayStation®Portable) system, Nintendo’s Wii^TM console and Nintendo DS^TM.

For more information on Iron Man 2 or Comic-Con, including demo and signing times, please visit the SEGA website at www.sega.com.