DCgame adaptations have been in a slump lately, leaving the company in need of a major win when it comes to gaming. There was once a time whenDCvideo games had their heyday with theArkhamseries, but the past few years have proven difficult.Arkhamset a high bar that has proven challenging to reach, and last year was one of the toughest that DC-based games have ever seen, and this unfortunate trend has continued into 2025.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguewas set to be one of the first major launches of 2024, but things quickly went south for the live-service title. The game launched to heavily mixed reviews from critics and players, with many leaning toward the negative side. More tragedy struck DC gaming whendeveloper Monolith was shut down, and itsWonder Womangame along with it. If DC games want to dig itself out of such a slump, then embracing imitation and taking note of competitor Marvel may be the best path forward.
If DC Insists On More Live-Service, Marvel Rivals Should Be the Blueprint
One of the biggest issues withSuicide Squadwas that it was ultimately a narrative-driven game that had live-service elements that felt more like an afterthought than something that was meant to genuinely be part of the project. Live-service games have been a huge trend for years now, and the post-launch content ofSuicide Squadjust wasn’t on par with competitors. The updates were too barebones and infrequent, and with the game set in theArkhamuniverse, a lot of fans were craving a story over microstransactions and grinding.
Rocksteady’s attempt at making a live-service Arkhamverse game work may have missed the mark, but if DC and Warner Bros. insist on live-service games, thenimitatingMarvel Rivalsmay be the best bet.Marvel Rivalshas its own story and lore, but it’s far more focused on gameplay and offering players a lot of content.
Suicide Squad’s early days were also shaken by the release ofHelldivers 2a month after the former’s launch. The latter has been praised for its post-launch content.
Marvel Rivalshas quickly proven that its approach to the live-service formula works, and if DC takes note, it could be one of the easiest ways for the brand to get a win. Of course,Marvel Rivalsstill causes division with some of its choices, but the game has become a fast hit. A DC-inspired version ofMarvel Rivalsthat features stylized versions of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the massive DC roster that also brings action-packed matches and robust content offerings is not impossible.
The card collection gameMarvel Snapcould also be a source of inspiration for DC.
Original DC Games May Need to Be Put On Ice
WhileGunn’s meetings with Rocksteady and NetherRealmaren’t confirmation of any new games, they’re still promising. If WB and DC have ambitions to return to more original single-player-driven games, that’s fantastic. However, before that’s done, giving a DC game theMarvel Rivalstreatment may also be a strong option that allows the company to get the best of both worlds.
Right now, there’s no telling what DC and WB have planned with its video games. The short life ofSuicide Squadand the cancellation ofWonder Womanare a heavy blow to take. Returning to originality down the road would be ideal, but until then, embracingthe success ofMarvel Rivalswith its own characters could be a lot of fun, too.
