PRESS RELEASE- Announced this year at SXSW, Marvel Unlimited is once again redefining the language of digital comics by integrating Adaptive Audio and AR Video to the reading experience. These features and formats are possible because of the new Digital Comics Reader for the Marvel Unlimited App (on iPod®, iPhone®, iPad® and Android™ devices). These will become available at the same time as the panel begins.
The new features of the Marvel Unlimited reader include ADAPTIVE AUDIO and AR VIDEO.
In an industry first, Marvel is pushing the barriers of what has been considered a traditional, visual comic with the introduction of a unique, immersive experience that brings fully adaptive music and sound together with digital comics to create a whole new audio-visual event. Marvel has engaged Emmy-nominated composer David Ari Leon’s SoundMind Music. His work in TV, films and games have included FOX’s Spider-Man and the Hulk animated series, Marvel Motion Comics, and the Thor: Tales of Asgard animated movie.
Marvel also engaged Firelight Technologies, makers of FMOD, for the technology to help Marvel achieve this goal. FMOD is currently used in such video games as the BioShock series, Guitar Hero, LEGO Universe, Plants versus Zombies, World of Warcraft and others. This is not simply a looping soundtrack—this adaptive audio experience dynamically tailors itself to both the events in the comic and the individual reader’s behavior, from lingering on panels to quickly flipping between pages. Each reading experience is unique.
The first adaptive-audio comics will be the classic Captain America: The Winter Soldier story by Ed Brubaker (Captain America #8, 9, 11-14) and the audio versions will be available exclusively in Marvel Unlimited. Not available for individual purchase or through a download code.
Watch the ADAPTIVE AUDIO trailer here.
Marvel’s AR Video content—previously only accessible using a mobile device in addition to the print comic—will now also be integrated into Marvel Unlimited as part of the new comics reader. This offers fans a new, integrated comics reading experience they’ve never seen before- one device, one app to experience not only the greatest comics but also exclusive behind the scenes material.
This will initially launch on Sunday, March 9th with the first story arc (six issues) of Jonathon Hickman’s Avengers series (which launched December 2012) and provide access to over 20 videos. New videos will be included as new issues make their Marvel Unlimited debut beginning on March 9th.
Watch the AR VIDEO trailer here.
Additionally, Marvel is letting all fans check out select comics for FREE, each of which allow readers to sample the landmark new comics experience of Marvel Unlimited*:
· CAPTAIN AMERICA (2004) #8 ADAPTIVE AUDIO EDITION
· AVENGERS (2012) #1 with AR VIDEO CONTENT
* Requires Internet connection and Marvel.com account.
Marvel is also celebrating SXSW Interactive 2014 by offering fans access to nearly 15,000 of Marvel’s greatest comics, for an entire month, for only 99 cents!* Fans can access some of the most important stories in pop culture history while online, and take twelve digital comics with them on the go, even when offline!
Use the promo code SXSW99
Download Marvel Unlimited in iTunes and in Google Play and join the conversation on Twitter using #MarvelSXSW and #MarvelUnlimited.
*Offer valid 3/1/14 12:01 AM EST to 3/14/14 11:59 PST. Offer available only for new and former (now-canceled) Marvel Unlimited members. Valid only on monthly Marvel Unlimited subscriptions. First month billed at 99 cents; subsequent months billed at the then current monthly rate. Auto-renewal and other terms and conditions apply, please see Marvel.com/Unlimited and Marvel Unlimited Terms of Use for further details.
About Marvel:
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit www.marvel.com
About SXSW Gaming:
SXSW Gaming is an integral part of the SXSW experience. This diverse and widely popular array of events combines well-loved elements of geek culture with the cross-console video game world. And it all happens in Austin, Texas, a true hotbed for the expanding gaming industry. With Gaming Awards, panels, a free expo, rocking parties and exceptional demos, no event bridges the gap between industry insiders and the general public quite like SXSW Gaming.
About SXSW Interactive:
The 21st annual SXSW Interactive Festival returns to Austin from Friday, March 7 through Tuesday, March 11. An incubator of cutting-edge technologies and digital creativity, the 2014 event features five days of compelling presentations and panels from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders and an unbeatable lineup of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games and startup ideas the community has to offer. From hands-on training to big-picture analysis of the future, SXSW Interactive has become the place to preview the technology of tomorrow today. Join us in March 2014 for the sessions, the networking, the evening events, the 17th Annual SXSW Interactive Awards, SXSW Accelerator, the SXSW Gaming Expo, the SXSW Trade Show, SXSW Create, the Digital Creative Job Market, cross-industry conversations with attendees from SXSW Film and SXSW Music, and, most of all, the unforgettable inspirational experiences that only SXSW can deliver.
SXSW Interactive 2014 is sponsored by Miller Lite, Monster Energy, Esurance, Chevrolet, AT&T, Deloitte, IFC, American Express, Pennzoil, Subway and The Austin Chronicle.
