Welcome to our Marvel’s Avengers WAR TABLE Weekly Blog, where we’ll give you the scoop on news, patch notes, Marketplace updates, and more!

Hello everyone! We hope you’re enjoying the first week of July—already halfway through 2021. Crazy. Trying not to think about that.

It’s a win for Black Widow fans this week: Marvel Studios’ Black Widow is releasing in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on July 9, the Red Room Takeover Event is back, and there’s a certain suit stealthily waiting in the Marketplace! Head on down to that section to check it out.

Yelena Belova is paging in: the Red Room Takeover Event is back! You can earn a new team Nameplate and fill up a glass of techno lava once more. The event will run from July 8 through July 22.

Patch V1.8.1 was published on Tuesday and included various bug fixes. Check out the patch notes HERE!

• We are updating the amount of Takedowns you can have equipped from 5 to 8 in the War for Wakanda Expansion.
• We’re going to be showing off some concept art from the War for Wakanda Expansion during our livestream this week on 7/9 at 2PM PT.

We pulled up our virtual chairs and sat down with Lead Producer Cory Butler for a quick interview!

1. Can you do a quick introduction into who you are and what you do on the team?

Hi! I’m Cory Butler, Lead Producer on Marvel’s Avengers. In the simplest terms, my job is to facilitate the team’s success. I help to plan, develop, and deliver all aspects of the game. I work closely with every department at Crystal and multiple teams across Square Enix. Basically, if you don’t like something – it’s my fault. If you do like something – the team did it.

2. What other games have you worked on?

I started as a QA tester on Spell Force II and The Guild 2. I was a narrative designer on The Sims: Pet Stories and Castaway Stories. I helped develop several new IP titles (that never saw the light of day). In a production role, I’ve worked on The Shield, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Anthem, Shadow Realms, Breach, and Marvel’s Avengers.

3. What got you in your field?

A deep love of storytelling and entertaining people. After college, I moved to Hollywood and worked in Film and Television for many years. I saw video games as the next stage of evolution in entertainment. A more powerful way to bring people together.

4. What do you wish everyone knew about game development?

I wish everyone knew how much love and passion goes into creating a game. How hundreds of people come together and collaborate on something that is equal part art, science, and business. How many countless hours are spent with the sincerest intentions of making something great for the players. And how incredibly complicated, yet rewarding, that process can be.

5. What is your favorite thing about working at Crystal Dynamics?

The cold brew coffee on tap. Just kidding. It’s the people. 100% the people. Killer IPs don’t hurt, but when you’re surrounded by so many talented, driven and kind humans – everything is better.

6. Can you give our community a hint at what you’re currently working on?

What after Wakanda looks like. ?

7. If you could give a prospective future Crystal Dynamics employee one bit of advice, what would it be?

If you’re just starting out — don’t wait for someone’s permission to start honing your craft. Almost all positions in the studio have an analog that you could be doing right now. Write, code, model, mod… create.

8. Who are your heroes?

My main is Iron Man. But I like to play them all. ?

9. What are the characteristics/qualifications you look for in teammates (or if you’re a hiring manager)?

Candor. Integrity. Accountability. Someone who isn’t afraid to take risks.

10. Anything you want to say to our community?

Thank you. Thank you for playing our game. Thank you for caring enough to share your feedback with us. Thank you for being part of the Marvel’s Avengers family.

Inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Marvel Studios’ Black Widow Outfit” for Black Widow is available! Don the sleek all-white look to celebrate the release of Marvel Studios’ Black Widow! Experience the movie in Theaters or order on Disney+ with Premier Access on July 9.

If you can’t beat the summer heat, one-up it and show it how it’s really done in the Volcanic Outfit set! Create a matching molten team, starting with the Volcanic Outfits for Thor, Hulk, Ms. Marvel, and Hawkeye.

On the other hand, if you can’t beat the summer heat, embrace it! Captain America is ready to work on his tan in his new American Dream Outfit. Don’t forget sunscreen!

Dr. Bruce Banner is an accomplished scientist. Remind your enemies with Hulk’s new Newton’s Third Law Takedown! They could use a refresher.

If you missed the purchasable Red Room Nameplates the first time around, now’s the time to complete your collection! This week sees the return of those for Thor, Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, and Iron Man.

This week’s free Marketplace item is a 2HR XP Booster! Make sure you claim it!

The Marketplace is a place for us to feature purchasable cosmetics in the form of Outfits, Emotes, Takedowns, and Nameplates. The Marketplace’s Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary items rotate weekly, and can be purchased with Credits.

PlayStation Exclusive Community Challenge

Team up with the global player base to meet mega-goals and unlock rewards.

Goal: Defeat 1,250,000 Adaptoids

Reward: 500 Units

Community Spotlight

Check out this week’s community spotlight, featuring fantastic shots showcasing the indomitable Black Widow in celebration of Marvel Studios’ Black Widow!

Digital Photography by GonzalezElijah5

Digital Photography by DailyAvenger

Digital Photography by Gayming_Avenger

Digital Photography by SlightStardust

PRIORITY MISSIONS

Priority Missions have modifiers that will challenge even the toughest Super Hero. Your first weekly completion of these missions earns you unique gear you won’t find anywhere else.

In Honor’s Name

Minimum Power Level 25, +3 Power Level Offset

Modifiers:

• Pressure
• Torpedo
• Snowball

Guaranteed Reward: Epic Gear

Agony and the Anthill

Minimum Power Level 120, +5 Power Level Offset

Modifiers:

• Famine
• Resurgence
• Maelstrom
• Helix

Guaranteed Reward: Polychoron & Hero-Specific Gear

PRIORITY HARM CHALLENGES

Priority HARM Room Challenges have additional modifiers and reward comics that increase your collection and boost your stats.

Weekly First Completion Reward: Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin (2007) #6

Minimum Power Level 15 Challenge

Modifiers:

• Cosmos
• Clash

Minimum Power Level 100 Challenge, +5 Power Level Offset

Modifiers:

• Attrition
• Maelstrom
• Snowball

MEGA HIVE

The Mega Hive is a single-player chain of four missions that tests your team’s might. Each week you’ll have a shot at completing the Mega Hive mission chain. When you defeat all four missions, the Mega Hive mission chain is removed from the War Table until the next weekly refresh, when you can run it again with new modifiers.

This week’s modifiers include:

Resurgence

• Famine
• Oasis
• Scourge

Weekly Rewards: As you progress through the Mega Hive, rewards start as basic gear, resources, and small amounts of cosmetic currency. The more missions you survive, the more resource drops increase. As you near the final mission, you’ll see better gear and artifacts awarded more often, as well as increased chances for patterns/nameplates. When you complete all four Mega Hive missions you’ll be rewarded with exclusive goodies reserved for this gauntlet, including a significant amount of high-quality resources.

Till next week, we’ll see you online, and in-game!