A glimpse into gaming history: Never-before-seen footage of Activision's canceled 2003 Iron Man game surfaces.
Former Genepool Software developer, Kevin Edwards, recently unveiled previously unseen images and footage of a scrapped Iron Man game from 2003 on X (formerly Twitter). This article delves into the game's development and its ultimate cancellation.
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Development Followed X-Men 2: Wolverine’s Revenge
Edwards, a former Genepool Software developer, shared unseen images and gameplay footage on X. The game, tentatively titled "The Invincible Iron Man," aimed to evoke the character's original comic book identity. Development commenced shortly after the release of X-Men 2: Wolverine’s Revenge.
Edwards' posts included the game's title card, Genepool Software's logo, gameplay screenshots, and original Xbox gameplay footage showcasing the startup screen and a desert-set tutorial segment.
Activision's Decision to Cancel "The Invincible Iron Man"
Despite positive fan reaction, Activision canceled "The Invincible Iron Man" months into development. Genepool Software subsequently closed, leaving the team unemployed.
While Activision never publicly explained the cancellation, Edwards offered several possible reasons: delays in the film's release, dissatisfaction with the game's progress, or the possibility of another developer taking over the project.
Commenters noted Tony Stark's design, significantly different from the MCU portrayal popularized by Robert Downey Jr. The design closely resembled the "Ultimate Marvel" comic book version of the early 2000s. Edwards confirmed the design was a creative choice by the game's designer. He promised additional gameplay footage but hasn't yet delivered on that promise.