Invincible Creators Discuss Killer Instinct's Impact and 3v3 Tag Fighter Choice - IGN Live 2025

One of the most exciting reveals from the Xbox Showcase was the announcement of *Invincible VS*, a 3v3 fighting game inspired by Robert Kirkman’s iconic superhero series. At IGN Live, we had the chance to speak with members of Skybound’s Quarter Up team about how this title is shaping up to be the perfect tag-team fighter that fans have been waiting for—infused with elements reminiscent of *Killer Instinct* and packed with authentic character design.

The game will feature beloved characters from both the comics and animated series, including Mark Grayson (Invincible), Omni-Man, Thula, AtomEve, and Bulletproof. According to art director Dan Eder and combat designer Reepal Parbhoo, choosing a 3v3 format was a natural decision due to the rich history of teams in the Invincible universe—such as Teen Team, Guardians of the Globe, Global Defense Agency, and the Viltrumites.

“In general, when you're watching the Invincible series or reading the comics, the team format really stands out, right?” Parbhoo explained. “You've got teams like Teen Team, you've got Guardians of the Globe, you've got the Global Defense Agency, you've got the Viltrumites. So, I think that naturally lends to a multi-team format versus a standard one-person one.”

Beyond gameplay mechanics, the team placed a strong emphasis on accurately representing each character. The visual style of the game draws heavily from the animated series while adapting it into a dynamic 2D-3D hybrid aesthetic that keeps characters looking realistic yet stylistically bold.

“We really wanted to do the characters justice,” said Eader. “The overall aesthetic of the show was a huge inspiration for us, but also we had to adapt it to a video game. There were a lot of decisions around detail levels, rendering style, anatomy, and more. We aimed for a unique blend where characters are realistically lit with a clear outline, giving them that signature comic-book feel.”

With the foundation of the game firmly rooted in its source material, the team turned their attention to what makes *Invincible VS* stand out in the fighting genre. The studio, Quarter Up, is led by former developers from the core *Killer Instinct (2013)* team, and their influence is evident throughout the combat system.

“Killer Instinct was a 1v1 tag fighter, but there's a big impact in a lot of the hits,” Parbhoo noted. “That feeling of powerful hits has carried over into *Invincible VS*. More importantly, the two-way interaction between offense and defense—the hallmark of *Killer Instinct*—has been reimagined here. When players call in an active assist, it breaks the combo, keeping the action fluid without limiting the complexity of moves.”

For newcomers and casual players, the game offers an accessible combo system that allows players to perform complex sequences—including special moves, supers, and tags—with just a single button press. Meanwhile, seasoned fighters can dive deep into advanced techniques and strategies.

The game also introduces the Overkill system, which delivers the brutal, over-the-top violence fans expect from *Invincible*. As Parbhoo put it: “You are literally going to hit a superhero so hard that you’re probably going to knock off a limb or two. That’s just how it goes in *Invincible*.”

Series creator Robert Kirkman is actively involved in the development process, ensuring the game stays true to the spirit of the franchise while exploring new creative directions.

“We don’t want this to feel detached from the source material,” Eder added. “Robert, Ryan Ottley, Corey Walker, and the rest of the original creators bring invaluable insight. We’re not just retreading old ground—we’re building something fresh that still feels authentically *Invincible*.”

*Invincible VS* is set to launch in [ttpp] on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates and announcements from IGN Live and the Xbox Games Showcase.