Magneto Ascendant - Master of Magnetism 
What was the overriding “theme” or direction you tried to capture with Magneto?
Adam Olshan
Lead Animator
It was important to capture the feeling of “control” when animating Magneto. He’s a mutant who is in total control of his environment. He never expends any unnecessary effort. Magneto doesn’t throw haymaker punches or perform acrobatic roundhouse kicks. He is a master of his surroundings, to the point where he uses those surroundings to defeat his enemies. His movements generally keep him upright; in his posing, Magneto always feels balanced and in command.
Brad Lindsay
Animator
Magneto’s inspiration really derived a lot from reference material that was collected. Many comic panels and statues also assisted in nailing down the feel of Magneto. When you’re animating the leader of the Brotherhood of Mutants, you’ve got a lot of things you need to get right. That, and he controls magnetic fields and objects. What’s not to love?
Ediber Reyes
Animator
METAL and LOTS OF IT. That was pretty easy to decide on. In his powers, Magneto pulls metal from the least expected of places. His magnetic fields were the biggest challenge. I knew that I couldn’t go all-out “comic book style,” due to the artistic look of the powers we had previously done. The comic references I looked at were all about flashy blue and white lightning, which works really well for the comics, but not so much in the environment we’d created. I felt his powers had to be unique, while not being quite that flashy. The version that we settled on seems to work well because it doesn’t have an overbearing source of light, and doesn’t distract you from seeing the devastation that takes place in the wake of his powers.
Also, we really wanted to translate Magneto’s comic personality and “ultimate master” reputation into the gameplay itself. For instance, with some other ranged or controller characters I’ll start to feel overwhelmed when surrounded by large mobs of enemies, but with Magneto that rarely happens. He definitely does an excellent job in keeping his enemies at bay and dispatching them at his leisure. I think that one characteristic of Magneto’s that is often overlooked in games is the fact that he’s a lot older than everyone else on the battlefield, which means he’s got a lot more experience than everyone else. He’s very smart, capable, and has no problem using force as a way of getting his point across. That’s what makes Magneto dangerous. I feel that the DLC team kept true to the comics in that regard; he does not like to be touched, and if you get close it’s because he WANTS it that way.To me, there is no bigger reward than decimating enemies without giving them a chance.
What’s something you worked on that turned out particularly well?
Brad
I particularly enjoyed working on the Master’s Hand power. When you use it, Magneto pulls giant pieces of metal from beneath his enemies’ feet, smashing them together in a vicious, full-body “bear trap.” It rips the ground to shreds in the process, and really looks like it hurts. Since his moves needed to be quick, we had to mix in some sign of slight effort, but not overexerting himself like other characters may require for their style of fighting.
His flying states were really enjoyable to do as well. It was a balancing act between what looked right for the speeds he traverses versus how powerful and lording we could make him look while doing it.
Adam
It was a challenge to bring Magneto’s standard melee combat into the game and still maintain that sense of control, but we pulled it off. Through the right combination of posing, sound effects and visual effects, the player gets the sense that Magneto is using his powers within his melee move set. Beyond that, I’m a fan of the small details… Magneto gets knocked down in the game, but he picks himself up very differently from our other characters. It’s a nice touch.
Ediber
His “Hamster Ball” Fusion is by far my favorite facet of Magneto’s powerset. From the beginning, we were pretty much decided that he had to do a metal cage: the “how?” was a far more difficult question to answer. We ended up having a Fusion where Magneto pulls dozens of metal pieces out of the ground and assembles them around his Fusion partner. After the move ends, the “ball” falls apart into its component pieces, which are left behind as dynamic physics objects in the environment. I can definitely say that if I hadn’t learned from what we did in previous fusions, I would never have been able to pull it off. It uses multiple in-engine techniques to create the Ball in the game’s worldspace, and after it starts up, there is nothing more satisfying to me than seeing the resulting devastation.
Now that almost done, what’s your favorite thing about them?
Brad
His alternate costume – that’s my personal favorite look that Magneto could have going for him. I also really enjoyed doing some of his intro when you fight him in the “Overload” Simulator Mission. Who else would have the power to fling cars, control giant robots, and hurl missiles at you all from the comfort of his magnetic shield? Sure, there are some other villains who can do one or two of those things, but the whole package? That’s Magneto.
Adam
Love his Repulsion Wave power. It owns.
Ediber
He’s got presence. Everything in the way he was animated, designed, and plays says to me, “Here is an UNTOUCHABLE BADASS.”
~~~
In addition to his inclusion as a playable character, Magneto is also featured in the brand-new Simulator Mission “Overload,” where he takes center stage for a formidable boss fight.
Joe Cecot
Scenario Designer
Since this map was all about Magneto, we wanted the main “hook” to be his magnetic power. One way we showed this was in the form of the different metal minions we’d used through Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. Magneto lifts up the smaller robots, bringing them in from all sides of the room. Even more impressive is his ability to lift multiple large “destroyer” robots at a time and then slam them down on the heads of the players with great force. We wanted to show off his power, so we had him launching cars and of robots with ease.
The fight starts off slow and rhythmic, with Magneto throwing his different attacks and abilities at you one at a time. By the time you get to the end of the fight, Magneto is enraged, taking every attack that he has and overlapping them with the goal of smothering the players. Your only option as the player is to take him down sooner rather than later, because if you wait, you’ll be overwhelmed.
Posted by: Chugger1 on 11/03/09
cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Dj Gilbert R on 11/04/09
Do you know how i could get all the new guys???????........
Posted by: GodzillaKingofMonste on 11/04/09
DLC down loadable content you by it on the xbox live store or whatever the ps3 has DUH
Posted by: storm21 on 11/05/09
Don’t be rude if he/she didn’t know, than he/she didn’t know simple. Before you try to be rude learn to use words in the right context ie:by (buy)
Posted by: Proudomybeef on 11/03/09
looks pretty sweet.
Posted by: BradleyOfMars on 11/03/09
am I 3rd???
Posted by: Boy In Space on 11/04/09
yes you are lol.
Posted by: jerkin on 11/03/09
so is the last dlc character
Posted by: The Void on 11/03/09
this is awesome looking does this count as a first post?
Posted by: NIghtmarez on 11/03/09
badass!!!!!!!!!!!!outfit
Posted by: The Void on 11/03/09
@#$% nvm lmao
Posted by: The Void on 11/03/09
hope the alt is his classic or age of apocalypse uniform
Posted by: TelekineticX on 11/03/09
Love Magneto, and he looks AWSOME!!!
Posted by: BradleyOfMars on 11/03/09
I hoping the next batch has sabretooth and punisher
Posted by: musicman198411 on 11/04/09
Yes, we definitely need Sabretooth as a playable character! And I would love to see Mysterio as well.
Posted by: Penance333 on 11/04/09
Sabretooth’s possible, Pun’s got license issues, so he’s a no go.
Posted by: The Last Mutant on 11/03/09
Sweeeeeeeeeeet!!!
Posted by: Technotronic on 11/03/09
As soon as I saw that helmet all I thought was “bullet head”. Juggneto? 
Posted by: BuildingHP on 11/04/09
Same here XD
Posted by: billystevo98 on 11/03/09
this is super fli cant wait use him
Posted by: JFoxv1 on 11/03/09
And the character i have been waiting for, good to see you back. The master of magnetism will destroy his enemies.
Posted by: Dlark17 on 11/03/09
So.... can someone explain to me the soulless white eyes? Really, he looks good besides that. That’s just.... creepy. In a way Magneto was never meant to be. :/
Posted by: Lobo the duck on 11/03/09
yesssssssss this is awesome best dlc pack ever i love all of the characters this is great
Posted by: bobthemonkey on 11/03/09
Probably gonna play him 1st great job team now all we need is CYCLOPS
Posted by: Daniella on 11/03/09
I totally agree with bobthemonkey. He has got the right idea. WHERE OH WHERE IS CYCLOPS!
Posted by: chappy422 on 11/03/09
here’s impressed
Posted by: spindrift on 11/03/09
I don’t normally swear but Holy $#!*! I have always liked magneto but never really got into him in games. When I heard VV was doing him I couldn’t help but feel confident they’d finally get him to feel right just like so many other characters. If he plays as well as they make him sound he just became my new favorite mutant and the reason I will be buying DLC.
Posted by: Dj Gilbert R on 11/04/09
Doe’s anyone know how to get the new guy ?????...........
Posted by: Master of Magnetism on 11/03/09
I have arrived weaklings! My boy Magneto looks killer but gotta see that alt costume. Good work VV hope he’s one of the best characters to use he deserves to be.
Peace
Posted by: Fruition on 11/03/09
HELL YES!!!!! I want this now! When can I get it?!?!
Posted by: Wayra on 11/03/09
I just have to say that makes three X-Men related DLCs. Seems a little lopsided. Magneto is the man but I was hoping for something more eclectic. We got a Spider-Man related character, an Avenger and three X-Men. Not a great deal of variety…
Posted by: oddboy on 11/06/09
I was thinking the same thing. I mean the game already had 6 X-Men related characters that I can think of off the top of my head, making them 1/4 the original roster and now there’s three more. Nothing against the characters or anything but it would be nice to see someone from a different affiliation. Marvel has a lot more to offer than X-Men characters.
Posted by: HavoK 671 on 11/03/09
yay 25th
Posted by: deathmagnet on 11/03/09
I know some ppl are dissapointed w/ the DLC characters, but I’m happy w/ everyone who got in. Mags is one of my favorite characters period and it sounds like he’s a lot better than he was in MUA. I’m very happy we’re getting this pack and Magneto. I’m in the middle of my 2nd run through story mode right now and I honestly feel like playing through the rest w/ Carnage, Cable, BP, and Mags on a team.
Posted by: MarcusTM7 on 11/03/09
kewl… but i wonder is this it, are they going to drop five more dlc characters next month? if so i want it to be ..... Havok, Cyclops, Bishop, Apocalypse ,Sinister
or the X-force like X-23, Domino, Wolfsbane, Archangel, and Warpath......
yeah!!!!!!!
Posted by: Quantum Assassain on 11/03/09
this may have changed my opinion of magneto being crappy he sounds like he be amazing but still would of preferred someone like silver surfer or punisher
Posted by: spindrift on 11/03/09
I ablsolutely love his costume here. Its dark sleek and brooding. Plus he looks like he could do some damage. I know he’s old but Jim Lee was the only artist to do him justice in my opinion. He shouldn’t be so frail.
Posted by: fanboy0202 on 11/04/09
Yeah, Jim Lee was the only artist who ever really captured Magneto.
Posted by: Techon 7 on 11/04/09
My favorite villian and I can’t get him, at least not yet.
Posted by: Jadryx on 11/04/09
Magneto sounds great! I’m really excited to do the hamster ball fusions!
Posted by: BeastMcCoy on 11/04/09
Is it me or does he look too fat for his suit?
Posted by: MightyAvenger on 11/04/09
he looks so good!! cant wait to play as him
Posted by: VivaLaNES on 11/04/09
Maggs looks really, really cool!!!
Posted by: CarnageFan on 11/04/09
Most powerful character in the game woooot!
Posted by: the_mediator on 11/04/09
Welcome back, Mr. Leshnerr (I think that’s how you spell his surname). I see VV has done a good job in giving you that “commanding presence” feel.
He’s also the boss of a Simulator mission? Double bonus. He was powerful in MUA1, and I’m excited to see what he can do in MUA2.
Posted by: Zaxlon on 11/04/09
Magneto. hm. OK. i mean, he’s an awesome villian, one of my favorites but… hm. ok. let’s just hope ther’s more dlc to come. hmm…
Posted by: SecretAvenger on 11/04/09
No, his surname is Lehnsherr. I liked him in XML2, lets see what can he do in MUA2
Posted by: dark blood on 11/04/09
looks great!!!-sadly magneto seems naked w/o sabertooth to me...i miss sabertooth!!!-please bring him to us in the next dlc!!!!
Posted by: Boy In Space on 11/04/09
So Excited to play as Magneto he is one of my favorite characters and I know he will be great.
[Now all I need is Emma Frost as DLC and life is good lol)
Posted by: JJHGambit10 on 11/04/09
NICE!!! Heres Mag’s!! cool cool!
thank’s
Posted by: dark blood on 11/04/09
-if the did a jim lee alt id be in heaven!!!
Posted by: Juxtion on 11/04/09
need vip can someone help a brother out??? sent to
Posted by: Stormfan24 on 11/04/09
Awesome!! can’t wait to play as him
Posted by: Silver0206 on 11/04/09
Not really a huge fan of playing as villains (didn’t really like Venom or Goblin or Nanite Fury) and I’m kind of disappointed that two DLC characters are villains that weren’t even involved in Civil War. But it sounds like they did a great job with his powers. Can’t wait to check him out.
Posted by: black cat on 11/04/09
Why I’am I not surprised that it turned out to be magneto unstead of someone cool.
Posted by: FreedTMG on 11/04/09
Did you just say Magneto isn’t cool???
Posted by: Brawler 89 on 11/04/09
Magneto??? I guess he’s alright. I would have preferred Bishop or blade or collossus. Oh well. I’ll give him a try.
Posted by: PerfectExample on 11/04/09
Magneto is a beast!!!
Posted by: storm09 on 11/04/09
Wow I can’t wait to use him.. Easily my favorite character of the dlc package.. 
Posted by: BreezedIn69 on 11/04/09
I was thinking that would be the costume from MUA 2 PS2, that was way better… But this is the classic at all . I hope that the alternate is from the PS2 !
Posted by: Kaptain Bandanna on 11/04/09
I hope his alt is the classic red because I despise this costume.
Posted by: Helllion on 11/04/09
wow i love the sounds of this.
i like him usin g his powers in his melee attacks.
anyone know what his alt costume is?
Posted by: Nexus on 11/04/09
Magneto brings a unique power set to the game. It sounds like they really captured his essence for this game. I look forward to playing him.
Posted by: FireMadeFlesh on 11/04/09
He sounds like he’s going to be awesome. Now, if we could only get him on PSN....... **glares at Sony**
Posted by: Murker on 11/04/09
sure his cool to play as. But he doesnt look that good does he
couldnt agree more with the costume hellion. The alt has to be the original
Posted by: Murker on 11/04/09
so does anyone know when we’ll be able to download the dlc?
when does microsoft update their marketplace?
Posted by: BuildingHP on 11/04/09
I am very happy that Magneto’s in this game, we needed someone with his stature in a game like this.
...
But I gotta say, I’m not really feeling the revamped outfit as much as I would’ve liked to. the purple cape is a killer, as usual it rocks. But the outfit itself, looks a little to modern; and the boots and gloves remind me of bondage. I think it could’ve overall looked less...ahm...leathery.
...
Overall happy with Magneto’s inclusion, so-so on his appearance.
...
Can’t wait for his Alternative Costume.
Posted by: anotherdae on 11/04/09
Why not have characters that actually played a part in Civil War? Punisher, Sharon Carter, Winter Soldier or Falcon… etc.
God, I hope they expand this game its horribly short.
Posted by: SuperHiepsi on 11/04/09
Damn, this is good!
Posted by: DEADPOOLROXCRAIG1998 on 11/04/09
I might use him.......................
Posted by: Venom42 on 11/04/09
Magneto is My Fav. Marvel Character i’m glad he was in the first DLC PacK, but idk about the rest i mean Carnage is jus another Venom, Black Panther is like Dare Devil. who it should of BeeN (an i hope it is on the next DLC PacK) Havok, Cyclops, Sentry, and Silver Surfer now thats a team all by themselfs LoL but as long as Maggs is on i can wait
Posted by: Penance333 on 11/04/09
Saying Carnage is just another Venom shows you know diddly squat about the character.
Posted by: warbyte on 11/04/09
Now that VV has come to a conclusion with the first of ??? DLC packs I must say that the first Pack is quite pleasing and well earned. Bring on the next one VV pleassse! :D
Posted by: dr doom god on 11/04/09
do you think they’ll have more
Posted by: Venom42 on 11/04/09
MaN they seriousely F**Ked over Maggs u cant even lift cars wit him last i check he was CLASS 100 he should lift a car by jus thinkin about it???
Posted by: BloodSpider on 11/04/09
I have a Wii so I’ve already kicked his @#$.
Posted by: kayjaa on 11/04/09
Come on, Magneto again. You guys got to do better. I’m disappointed in this game. MUA 1 is a better game. Give up some new playable characters, PLEASE.
Posted by: SilverMarvel on 11/04/09
Not a fan
Posted by: beastfromtheeast on 11/04/09
Can’t wait to test it out!
Posted by: Spidermark on 11/04/09
Magneto what a great choice for DLC loving the powers and that fusion metal ball is kickass!! kudos guys great work
Posted by: Different on 11/04/09
anyone know a website that says the new team bonuses?
ive figured one out myself and its become my favourite
I think its called Authority Issues : Carnage, Wolverine, Juggernaut and Venom it gives 35% Fusion Gain just like Fantastic Four.
If anyone knows any others for the new characters please let me know.
Posted by: Boy Banshee on 11/05/09
Ahhh Magneto sounds awesome- thanks VV :D
Posted by: bendre on 11/05/09
EXCELLENT!
Posted by: Ororo on 11/05/09
awesome, the team had made the right choice. could have work better on the costume thou, why dont they givve him the ultimatum costume, he would look even more badass in his narrow helmet
Posted by: KittyColossusX on 11/05/09
how do you unlock his dossier? For the DLC, I’ve unlocked Psylocke, Magneto and Black Panther’s alternate costumes but their dossiers do not show up. How can I unlock them?
Posted by: PerfectExample on 11/08/09
great!!!!
Posted by: Concave_Ace on 11/12/09
I think they could have done a better job.
Posted by: Ibtesam on 11/14/09
He looks alright
Posted by: CCtoxic on 11/14/09
He looks so sweet.I hope i can get the DLC pack.Oh and by the way if theres another DLC pack I hope theres Moon Knight,Cyclops,Sabertooth,Silver Surfer,and Dr.Strange.
Posted by: Atel639 on 11/15/09
Does psp get this stuff? we have playstation network too you know. Magneto looks neat
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