ICv2 asked Scott Gaeta, Director of New Business Development at Upper Deck, about the games it plans under the company’s new Marvel license (see “Upper Deck, Marvel Ink Deal”), what's up with DC, whether it’s trying to acquire the HeroClix engine, and more.

You announced that the first Upper Deck Marvel products would be released early in 2010.  What is the term (beginning and ending dates) of the license?

Upper Deck’s rights for all categories are active now with the exception of trading cards. Those rights go into effect January 1, 2010. While exact details of our contracts are confidential I can tell you that this is the longest term that we have ever had with Marvel. Both companies are committed to a long-term, collaborative relationship.

Earlier this year, Upper Deck discontinued new products using its Versus game engine.  Do you plan to use the Versus engine, another existing engine, or a new engine to power a Marvel TCG?

Vs was a great game but the general consensus in our discussions both internally and with Marvel is that we want to broaden the accessibility. Our target is still core gamers but the real growth potential is reaching the tens of millions of fans who have been exposed to all the great Marvel characters in recent years. Our goal is to bring new players in to our category and to do that we feel we need a new game. As we get closer to launch we’ll share more details but I can say that we are going to do something very fresh with our new Marvel TCG.

What is the status of your rights to produce games based on DC characters, and do you expect that to change?

Currently our plan is to focus on Marvel.

The announcement referred to “miniature games.”  Does that include CMGs, traditional open pack miniatures, or both?

It includes all miniature games.

Which of those types of miniature games do you plan to produce?

We plan on launching a CMG in 2010 for the core hobby market and we also have a simpler game targeted at younger kids for mass planned.

If you produce a CMG, will you use the WoW CMG engine?

The CMG engine is totally new. I played it for the first time a few weeks ago and was really impressed. Our minis R&D could have easily adapted the World of Warcraft Miniatures engine to Marvel Super Heroes and it would have worked just fine, but that’s not our style. What they came up with is something that is uniquely suited to a Super Hero experience. It’s really unique and I think CMG players – both experienced and those new to the genre – are going to have a great time with it

Is Upper Deck in discussions to acquire or license the HeroClix engine?

No, we are not looking to acquire the game engine. 

Our understanding of the film rights announcement is that you have the rights to produce products based on Marvel Studios’ films, but not Marvel films produced by other studios (e.g., Spider-Man).  Is that correct?

No, it just happens that our announcement focused on the new films coming up. In addition to the Marvel Studios lineup we have acquired the rights to most of the Marvel films that have been done in the last ten years or so.