As long as it seems to be taking for DC’s Universe Online to be released, I wouldn’t be surprised if Marvel didn’t try to trump them by coming out first. Still, I get that these things take time – you don’t want to end up with another Matrix Online (Ugh).

So, according to Marvel.com:

Been waiting for massively multiplayer (MMO) games featuring your favorite Marvel characters? Wait no more, True Believers. Coming soon, you’ll be able to interact with Marvel characters like never before!

Gazillion Entertainment today unveiled a key partnership to develop MMO games based on Marvel Entertainment properties.

“Gazillion is thrilled by the opportunity to introduce a series of massively multiplayer games for Marvel fans worldwide,” said Rob Hutter, President and CEO of Gazillion. “Without any question, the chance to work with the incredible library of 5,000 characters in the Marvel Universe—not to mention the creative leadership working across the comics, animated series, movies and every other media form where Marvel reigns supreme—is an exhilarating opportunity for any videogame company.”

With team members from Apple, Blizzard Entertainment, Microsoft Game Studios, Pixar Animation Studios and many other leading companies, Gazillion has assembled talent from across the landscape of MMOs, console videogames, animated feature films and technology to address the mission of building breakthrough MMOs capable of resonating with wide audiences.

Read the rest of the article at Marvel.com and read our thoughts after the jump.

The only game announced thus far is based on the Marvel Super Hero Squad toys, and would be geared towards younger gamers. Have you seen those figures? They’re the 2 inch tall little cutesy Marvel characters? I bought my brother a Blade/Punisher 2-pack for his Easter basket, but I refuse to get addicted to these like I have for Mighty Muggs.

Given the nature of the Marvel Super Hero Squad Toys, and the age range they’re gearing towards, I don’t think we’ll see the level of interaction between the online and comic universes that DC is hoping to bring to theirs. Still, the Super Hero Squad figures are pretty darn cool, so this might be a lot of fun. Probably way too early in development to even have a release date (they’re probably still as concept design stages), but we’re probably looking at mid- to late 2010, I’m guessing.

What do you guys think? Is this different enough from the Ultimate Alliance series to interest you?