<MARVEL FUTURE FIGHT> 10TH YEAR ANNIVESARY INTERVIEW WITH DIVISION DIRECTOR TERRY LEE
Division Director TERRY LEE
Q. Please tell us how you feel about the game reaching its 10th anniversary.
A. It’s rare for a mobile game to run globally for over a decade. I am incredibly proud of the MARVEL Future Fight team for achieving this milestone. Above all, I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the players for their unwavering support and love for the game over the years.
Q. I’m curious about where the major regions that play the game are. Which countries have the most players?
A. MARVEL Future Fight is played in over 170 countries around the world, with the United States and South Korea being the top two countries in terms of player count. Other than these two countries, players from various regions including Asia, the Americas, and Europe continue to actively enjoy the game.
Q. What do you think is the key to MARVEL Future Fight’s longevity? What has been the driving force behind its 10-years long service.
A. I believe the most important key to MARVEL Future Fight’s longevity is our ability to minimize the gap between what fans emotionally expect from the Marvel Universe and how that’s reflected in the game. On top of that, our consistent updates over the past 10 years have also played a key role in sustaining the game’s long-term success.
Q. What strategies have you implemented to maintain the game’s popularity?
A. Thanks to consistent updates over the past decade, we’ve been able to introduce over 270 heroes and more than 520 uniforms – an achievement we believe sets us apart from competitors.
There are still many heroes and uniforms that our players want to see, and we plan to continue delivering regular themed updates. We believe this ongoing content strategy is key to maintaining the game’s popularity moving forward.
Q. Looking back over the past 10 years, is there a moment that stands out the most for the MARVEL Future Fight team? Or are there any regrets or moments you wish you could go back and change?
A. One of the most memorable moments was during the game’s 7th Anniversary update, when we held a fan vote for their “favorite MFF Keyart.” A huge number of players took the time to look back on the game’s seven-year journey and revisit their memories, and it was quite touching to see the deep affection our players have for the game. For reference, the winning Keyart was from the Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War inspired update.
Of course, we’ve had some moments that could have been better over the past decade, but we believe overcoming those is what made MARVEL Future Fight what it is today. We’re committed to doing our best every step of the way to ensure we continue improving and evolving.
Q. MARVEL Future Fight often releases themed updates around the release of major MARVEL films or series. Is there a particular themed update that stands out in your memory? Also,can fans look forward to any fantastic film-inspired updates this year?
A. The most memorable update in recent years, for me, was the one that took place in June 2023, the update inspired by the film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Since it was an animated film, many players didn’t expect it to be featured in the game, so it was a great surprise – and the response was quite positive. That update drew in a significantly higher number of new and returning players compared to other themed updates.
As you mentioned, there are more films from Marvel Studios coming to theaters this year, and we hope fans stay tuned for the upcoming 10th Anniversary update featuring uniforms inspired by Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts*. We’ll do our best on this update as many players are looking forward to it.
Q. There have been so many characters introduced in MARVEL Future Fight over the past 10 years. How many heroes and uniforms have been released to date? And which ones have been the most popular?
A. Before the Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* inspired update, MARVEL Future Fight features a total of 274 heroes and 528 uniforms. The most popular uniform to date is Luna Snow’s ‘Summer Lilac,’ which was released in August 2023. Luna Snow is one of the game’s most iconic heroes, and this particular uniform – released as part of a summer season update – captivated players with its unique purple color and powerful performances.
Q. ‘Luna Snow’ is certainly one of the most iconic characters of MARVEL Future Fight. How was she created?
A. The idea for Luna Snow began with Marvel, who proposed creating a unique character exclusive to MARVEL Future Fight. We thought it was a great idea and began co-developing the new character. Since our team is based in Korea, the idea of creating a Korean character came up naturally, and Marvel also requested a fresh role and background that hadn’t been explored before – and that’s how Luna Snow, a K-pop idol and singer, was born. She’s seamlessly integrated into the Marvel Universe and is receiving even more love than we initially expected.
Q. In addition to Luna Snow, MARVEL Future Fight has introduced several game-original characters that later appeared in official Marvel comics. This seems like a great example of successful IP utilization, and can we expect more of such “reverse-imports” in the future? And is there a specific original character concept you’d like to create next?
A. As you know, Luna Snow is currently featured not only in MARVEL Future Fight, but also in the comics and other games like Marvel Rivals. We’ve also introduced several original heroes such as Captain America (Sharon Rogers), Crescent & Io, and the four members from the Warriors of the Sky.
At this moment, we don’t have any confirmed plans for additional original heroes, but we always keep the door open to new possibilities. If we do create more in the future, our hope is to develop characters in collaboration with the Marvel Games team that stand out distinctly from existing Marvel heroes.
Q. What is your personal favorite character, and why?
A. Personally, I’m a big fan of Thor. There’s something appealing about his mystical presence as a god combined with his powerful physique and elegance. Ironically, though, it’s his more human side – when he’s been defeated, spiraling into self-doubt, and gaining a middle-aged man’s physique – that truly resonates with me. I thought to myself, “even a god can become so vulnerable and let self-doubt ruin his mind when things get tough.” Also, now that I’m reaching my middle age, I found myself drawn more to those deeply human, relatable aspects than flashy action scenes.
Q. As the game has aged, its systems have become more complex. With the release of new uniforms, some older ones seem to lose relevance, and the overall content feels horizontally extended. Are there any plans to address this?
A. With hundreds of uniforms having been added over the years, we understand that it can feel overwhelming for new players to catch up, especially when it comes to purchasing older uniforms. To address this, in celebration of the game’s 10th Anniversary, we plan to make some previously crystal-only uniforms available for purchase with gold. Additionally, we’ll be enhancing the rewards provided to new and returning players, and gradually improving early-game convenience to make the overall system easier to understand and enjoy.
Q. Do you have any plans for a major overhaul of the game, for example, a remaster of version 2.0?
A. At the moment, rather than undertaking a large-scale overhaul like a remaster, we’re focusing on continuously adding new game modes and improving convenience features to make the gameplay experience more enjoyable for our players. One of the key updates players have been eagerly awaiting – a new Epic Quest – is also currently in the works, with a target release in the second half of this year.
Q. Many mobile collectible RPGs we have today are moving toward minimizing player fatigue, but MARVEL Future Fight still emphasizes the appeal of manual control – such as ‘Skill Cancel.” Do you plan to maintain this approach going forward?
A. Manual controls are a core element of the action RPG experience, so we intend to continue emphasizing that aspect. However, we’re also well aware of the fatigue that can come from prolonged gameplay or repeating the same content. To address this, we plan to continue offering auto-play and fast-clear features such as Clear Ticket.
Q. What can players expect from the 10th Anniversary update and events? Will there be an offline event as well?
A. The 10th Anniversary update features themed content inspired by Marvel Studio’s “Thunderbolts*,” which will be released in the same week. It includes new uniforms for characters appearing in the film, as well as the addition of the U.S. Agent as a new hero. To celebrate the anniversary, players will receive various rewards including a Tier-4 Selector, and up to 10,000 Crystals can be earned just by logging into the game. Many other events will also be available, so we hope everyone will enjoy them.
Additionally, we’ve launched a special 10th Anniversary website featuring “Agent Mission Logs,” where players can look back on their own gameplay history. The site also includes a gallery of key art images created over the past decade, as well as our 10th Anniversary-commemorating video.
As for offline events, we gave it serious consideration. However, given the game’s large international player base, we questioned whether a location-limited offline event would align with the spirit of the 10th Anniversary. After much deliberation, we decided to focus on online events that as many players as possible around the world can enjoy.
Q. Is there anything special that MARVEL Future Fight team is doing, in celebration of the game’s 10th anniversary, to make it easier for new and returning players to settle into the game?
A. As mentioned earlier, we’re offering an unprecedented set of rewards for the 10th Anniversary, including a Tier-4 Selector and 10,000 Crystals. For new players specifically, logging in for seven days will grant powerful heroes such as Tier-3 Iron Man, helping them quickly build a strong roster. In addition, we’re also running uniforms and dimension chest discount events to further accelerate player growth. What’s more, we encourage everyone to participate in the “Agent Training Center (a friend referral event)” that will be running during the anniversary period, and earn extra rewards.
Q. Could you share the mid- and long-term update roadmap? Are there any hints you can give about upcoming characters or uniforms? Also, are there plans to introduce higher-tier growth content, such as Tier-5?
A. We recognize that the game can appear complex and challenging for new players, so we’re currently reviewing several improvements to enhance accessibilities. As for future content, we plan to continue releasing various themed updates. Without giving too much away, we can tease that a highly requested theme from last year is finally on the way – so please look forward to it!
Regarding higher-tier growth content like Tier-5, while it’s been about three years since Tier-4 was introduced, many heroes are still at Tier-3 or even Tier-2. Because of this, we don’t currently have any immediate plans to add Tier-5 or similar higher-tier growth content.
Q. Do you have any plans for collaborations with other Marvel Games titles?
A. There are no concrete discussions underway at the moment, but if there’s any chance, we’re open to exploring various types of collaborations.
Q. Lastly, do you have any words you’d like to share with the players?
A. Reaching 10 years is certainly a major milestone for any mobile game, but we believe the potential of MARVEL Future Fight as a Marvel Universe title remains limitless. As more films, television series, and comic storylines unfold, we will continue to release various themed updates and new heroes accordingly.
The journey of MARVEL Future Fight has only been possible thanks to the unwavering support and love from our players. We’re deeply grateful for the love and passion you’ve shown us, and we promise to keep doing our best as we move toward our 15th and even 20th anniversary. Thank you.