Microsoft Corp. today announced its exclusive deal with Marvel Enterprises to develop and publish gaming titles for Xbox 360, the company’s upcoming videogame console, using its comics characters. In the beginning, Microsoft is planning on using Marvel’s super hero characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men and the Hulk.

According to Marvel, this is the company’s first ever MMO (massively multiplayer online) deal with a game publisher. "This is our one and only," said Tim Rothwell, Worldwide President, Consumer Media Group, Marvel Enterprises confirmed to Reuters.

This particular MMO deal is first for a console, although Microsoft had previous MMO deals for PC games. The software maker said titles using Marvel’s characters would first appear starting 2008 for Xbox 360.

MMO allow players to compete against each other at various locations. According to statistical reports, MMO gameplay is more popular with Asian audiences with as many as two million gamers devoted to such games.

According to Marvel, it has approximately 5,000 characters in its library, including the Fantastic Four and the Avengers. Marvel generates its revenue by licensing its characters to corporate clients for clothing, movies, games, food, toys and other wearable fashion accessories. The company also retails comic books and toys of its own.

The character company also said it has game deals with other developers and publishers, including Activision, Electronic Arts, Vivendi Universal Games, THQ and Majesco Entertainment.