MUMBAI: Software major Microsoft has struck a deal with Marvel Comics which owns the rights to characters like Spiderman. The deal will put Spidey, the Incredible Hulk and some 5,000 other superheroes, villains and ordinary mortals on to Microsoft's next-generation games console, the Xbox 360.

Although the games will not be released until 2008 media reports state that Marvel worldwide president of consumer media Tim Rothwell has indicated that it will be the only such MMO deal the company will make – ensuring that no Marvel MMO can appear on the PlayStation 3 or Revolution.

This is Marvel’s first Multiplayer online game (MMOG) agreement with Microsoft’s first title due in 2008. Microsoft Xbox corporate VP worldwide marketing and publishing Peter moore said, "Online gaming is reaching a point of acceptance. We will use as many of the Marvel characters as we can."

Rothwell says, “The alliance with Microsoft catapults us into the games category in an unprecedented way. Microsoft is an acknowledged leader in the interactive game space, and backed by their technology, creative and marketing clout, Marvel will establish a strong presence in the burgeoning online gaming arena. We are very excited to be working with Microsoft to bring our fans what we expect will be a world-class online gaming experience. We also believe that online gaming will provide valuable, global exposure to our character brands.”