GameSpy: The superhero role-playing genre seems like a natural fit for video games, and yet (with the exception of Freedom Force) nobody's really tackled it before. Why do you think that is?

Al Rivera: If you consider all the licensed video-game titles, like Batman, Spider-Man, and X-Men, there have actually been quite a few comic book video games. Most of these, however, would fit better into the action/adventure genre where players act out a story that fits into the existing fiction, or reenacts a movie or popular storyline.

A good RPG allows the player to construct his own story, adventure, and path. Licensed characters really don't allow that sort of creative liberty. I also think there is a lot of apprehension for a publisher or developer to try something new. Fantasy RPG titles are very popular and successful, and many comic book video games have been lackluster. So unfortunately, there is a certain feeling of safety to simply stick to what works.