We recently heard about a new game that was on it’s way to Dave & Busters arcade locations around the country, a 1v1 fighting game with a big license by the name of Marvel: Contest of Champions. Today, we have some media and details to share with you about this card vending video game as it officially launches at the chain’s 122 North American locations.
As mentioned in the first story about this, Contest of Champions has existed as a mobile game since 2013, but the arcade version looks to stand above that thanks to the arcade cabinet and card vending features. Let’s start with the game cabinet, then go from there:
As you can see from that image, the game cabinet is similar to what Raw Thrills used with Injustice Arcade, with some notable differences. First off, you’ve got joysticks, something that was not used in Injustice. This gives the game a different dynamic on how it plays, and gives us a “proper” 1v1 fighting game that fans of that genre look for. While it has four action buttons per player, with two large buttons next to the card readers. Here is a very brief teaser trailer:
Per the press release below, a company by the name of Kabam is involved with the software. The game has been re-balanced for arcade play and to offer a 2p local mode, but beyond that you’ll have to go and play it to see how it works.
UPDATE: I received more information on the production of this game and what that means regarding the sales status. You might recall that there are certain games that have been Dave & Busters exclusives such as Spider-Man Homecoming, Star Trek card/coin pusher, and Rock ‘Em, Sock ‘Em Robots. Marvel: Contest of Champions falls under the same category, with D&B serving as the publisher of the title – they came up with the idea for the concept and have been funding it through the various development stages, using partners in the industry to bring it to fruition. Fortunately if you are in North America, there are 122 locations that will have it (and presumably any new D&B locations that open in the near future), so it won’t be impossible to find.
Over 70 collectible & unique cards can be obtained from the machine, with more to come down the road. Here are some renders of the fronts & backs of a few of those cards:
Then we have the press release itself; before that, what do you think about this game? I’m curious to hear expectations, as Injustice by all reports has done quite well on earnings, despite being very casual from a gameplay perspective.
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DAVE & BUSTER’S AND KABAM PARTNER TOGETHER FOR ALL-NEW MARVEL CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS ARCADE GAME
Award-Winning Mobile Brawler Now Playable in 122 Locations in North American
VANCOUVER, CANADA – FEB. 14, 2019 – Kabam, a world leader of developing entertaining, immersive, and highly social multiplayer games for mobile devices, and Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. announced they are partnering together to release an arcade version of the award-winning mobile fighting game Marvel Contest of Champions and it is launching today in North America. Marvel Contest of Champions’ arcade version is co-developed by renowned arcade video game developers Raw Thrills.
Starting now, anyone that visits one of Dave & Buster’s 122 high-volume restaurant and entertainment complexes in North America can play against others with their favorite Marvel Super Heroes. By starting a new game, attendees will earn a new Champion Card and duel against their opponent. With over 70 Champions to collect – and more being added soon – players can build their roster of fan-favorite Marvel Champions and fight against the computer or friends in real-time. Fans can get a first look at the arcade version here.
Marvel Contest of Champions is a mobile arcade-style fighting game that goes beyond the films and dives deep into the Marvel Universe. Super Heroes and Super Villains from Marvel’s Avengers, The Defenders, X-Men, Inhumans, Guardians of the Galaxy, and more battle it out in iconic Marvel locations in an epic storyline that stays true to classic Marvel storytelling. Immediately following its launch in December 2014, Marvel Contest of Champions was awarded the App Store’s Editors’ Choice.
For more information and the latest updates, visit www.playcontestofchampions.com or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/marvelcontestofchampions. Also, follow Marvel Contest of Champions on Twitter and Instagram at @MarvelChampions
About Kabam
Kabam is a world leader of massively multiplayer games for mobile devices. High quality Kabam is a world leader of developing entertaining, immersive, and highly social multiplayer games for mobile devices. They merge consumer behavior with the art of game design to create experiences that are enjoyed by millions of players across the globe. Each game has raised the benchmark in mobile gaming, bringing high-quality graphics, next-generation technology and revolutionary gameplay to the console in every player’s pocket.
Kabam has partnered with leading entertainment brands like Disney, Hasbro and Universal to create mobile games based on some of the world’s most iconic franchises.
Kabam’s games have generated hundreds of millions of downloads including Fast & Furious 6: The Game, Fast & Furious: Legacy, Marvel Contest of Champions and Transformers: Forged to Fight. These games have also received multiple awards such as Apple’s Editor’s Choice and Google Play’s Best Game of the Year.
Founded in 2006, Kabam has studios and offices in Vancouver, San Francisco and Austin, Texas. The company has doubled in size year over year since opening and currently has more than 350 employees. Kabam is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Netmarble Games.
About Marvel Entertainment
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 more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2019 MARVEL
About Dave & Buster’s
Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLAY), headquartered in Dallas, Texas, operates 122 high-volume restaurant/entertainment complexes throughout North America. The exciting environment of Dave & Buster’s also provides the perfect setting for corporate and group events. Each Dave & Buster’s offers an impressive selection of high-quality food and beverage items, combined with the latest games and attractions. Guests can watch sporting events in the D&B Sports Bar and play state-of-the-art simulators and games of skill they can’t play anywhere else. For more information, visit daveandbusters.com.
About Netmarble Corporation
Netmarble Corporation strives to entertain audiences of all ages around the world by providing great mobile gaming experiences. Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble is the fastestgrowing mobile game company and consistently ranks as a top mobile developer and publisher worldwide. With more than 4,000 employees, Netmarble has been producing and servicing some of the most successful mobile games including Lineage 2: Revolution, MARVEL Future Fight, Everybody’s Marble, and Seven Knights. As a parent company to Kabam, a top mobile game developer in massively multiplayer free-to-play games, and the largest shareholder to Jam City, a leading casual social game developer, Netmarble has a strategic partnership with CJ E&M Corporation, Asia’s largest entertainment company, Tencent Holdings, Asia’s largest internet company, and NCsoft, a prominent MMORPG company. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com
MEDIA CONTACT Steven Kunz / Susan Yin Rogers & Cowan for Kabam 310-854-8121 kabam@rogersandcowan.com
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I'm an avid enthusiast in the field of arcade gaming, especially when it comes to the intersection of digital and physical gaming experiences. Over the years, I've closely followed the developments in arcade gaming, from classic cabinets to the latest innovations. My passion for this niche has led me to explore various aspects of arcade gaming, from game design to hardware implementations.
Now, diving into the article about Marvel: Contest of Champions making its way to Dave & Busters, I can share some insights and additional information:
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Game Cabinet and Controls:
- The article mentions that the game cabinet is similar to Raw Thrills' Injustice Arcade but with notable differences. It features joysticks, providing a different dynamic for a "proper" 1v1 fighting game experience.
- The cabinet has four action buttons per player, along with two large buttons next to the card readers.
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Gameplay Features:
- The arcade version of Contest of Champions is a 1v1 fighting game with a big license from Marvel, known for its mobile version since 2013.
- The game introduces card vending features, allowing players to collect over 70 unique cards directly from the arcade machine.
- The article mentions a re-balancing of the game for arcade play and the inclusion of a 2-player local mode.
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Partnership and Development:
- Kabam, a company known for developing entertaining and immersive multiplayer games for mobile devices, is involved in the software development of Marvel: Contest of Champions.
- Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. partnered with Kabam to release the arcade version, which is co-developed by Raw Thrills, a renowned arcade video game developer.
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Dave & Busters Exclusivity:
- Marvel: Contest of Champions falls under the category of Dave & Busters exclusives, where D&B serves as the publisher of the title. They came up with the concept and funded its development stages.
- The article mentions other Dave & Busters exclusives, such as Spider-Man Homecoming, Star Trek card/coin pusher, and Rock ‘Em, Sock ‘Em Robots.
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Availability and Expansion:
- The game is officially launching in 122 North American Dave & Busters locations, and presumably in any new locations that open in the near future.
- Over 70 collectible and unique cards can be obtained from the machine, with more expected in the future.
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About Marvel Contest of Champions:
- Marvel Contest of Champions is a mobile arcade-style fighting game that delves deep into the Marvel Universe, featuring Super Heroes and Super Villains from various Marvel franchises.
- The mobile version received the App Store’s Editors’ Choice shortly after its launch in December 2014.
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Additional Information from Press Release:
- The partnership between Kabam and Dave & Buster’s was officially announced in Vancouver, Canada, on Feb. 14, 2019.
This collaboration brings together the expertise of Kabam in mobile gaming and the immersive arcade experience provided by Dave & Busters, offering fans a unique way to engage with the Marvel Universe in an arcade setting.
