A Former Developer Unveils Footage of Activision's Canceled 2003 Iron Man Game
Recently, Kevin Edwards, a former developer at Genepool Software, shared previously unseen images and footage of a scrapped Iron Man game slated for a 2003 release. The revelation, made on Twitter (now X), sparked significant online interest. The game, tentatively titled "The Invincible Iron Man," aimed to evoke the character's original comic book persona. Edwards' involvement followed the studio's release of X-Men 2: Wolverine’s Revenge.
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Activision's Shelved Iron Man Game!
Unveiling the Lost Iron Man Game
Edwards' initial post featured the game's title card, the Genepool Software logo, and several gameplay screenshots. A subsequent post showcased original Xbox gameplay footage, including the startup screen and a tutorial segment set in a desert environment.
Activision's Decision to Cancel
Despite fan enthusiasm, Activision canceled "The Invincible Iron Man" shortly after development commenced. Genepool Software subsequently closed, leaving the team unemployed. While Activision never publicly explained the cancellation, Edwards offered several possible reasons in response to online comments, including potential delays in the related film, dissatisfaction with the game's progress, or the possibility of another developer taking over the project.
A Unique Iron Man Design
Many commenters noted the stark difference between Tony Stark's design in the game and his later MCU portrayal. The game's design, predating Robert Downey Jr.'s iconic interpretation by almost five years, closely resembled the "Ultimate Marvel" comic book version from the early 2000s. Edwards stated he was unaware of the reasoning behind the design choice. He promised further gameplay footage, a promise yet to be fulfilled.