Invincible Cast at IGN Live 2025: Killer Instinct, Authenticity, 3v3 Tag

One of the major announcements from the Xbox Showcase was the reveal of 'Invincible VS,' and we sat down with Skybound's Quarter Up studio team at IGN Live to discuss why this 3v3 tag fighter is the perfect adaptation for Robert Kirkman's superhero saga, complete with nods to the 'Killer Instinct' series.

'Invincible VS' brings together beloved characters from the comics and animated series, such as Mark Grayson (Invincible), Omni-Man, Thula, Atom Eve, and Bulletproof. The decision to structure it as a 3v3 fighter stems naturally from the story's emphasis on superhero teams. For Art Director Dan Eder and Combat Designer Reepal Parbhoo, this format was an obvious choice.

"When you experience 'Invincible'—whether through the show or the comics—the team dynamic is central to the narrative," Parbhoo explains. "You have groups like the Teen Team, the Guardians of the Globe, the Global Defense Agency, and the Viltrumites. That foundation naturally fits a multiplayer tag-team format better than a standard one-on-one fighter."

While the team-based concept shaped the game's genre, 'Invincible VS' ultimately hinges on its characters. The development team was committed to capturing each hero's and villain's essence with authenticity.

"Our top priority was to do these characters justice," Eder said. "The show's visual style was a major inspiration, but we also had to translate it into a video game medium. That required careful decisions on detail, rendering techniques, character anatomy, and more. Should we aim for realism or a more stylized look? We landed on a compelling hybrid—a blend of 2D and 3D where characters are lit realistically but outlined to pop on screen.

"Ultimately, we wanted this to feel like a genuine extension of the comic and animated series. Fortunately, 'Invincible' offers a wealth of reference material that made our task much easier."

With the characters and format established, our conversation turned to combat mechanics. Fans of 'Killer Instinct' will be pleased to learn that 'Invincible VS' is the first project from Skybound's Quarter Up studio, which includes veterans from the core 'Killer Instinct (2013)' development team.

"While 'Killer Instinct' was a 1v1 tag fighter, it emphasized impactful, weighty strikes—something we've carried over into 'Invincible VS,'" Parbhoo noted. "But the core influence lies in the dynamic interplay between offense and defense. In 'Killer Instinct,' skilled players could read and break combos with precise timing. We've adapted that concept here: now, you can call in an active assist character to create those combo-breaking opportunities, preserving the flow of extended combos that fans enjoy."

On the topic of combos, 'Invincible VS' is designed to be accessible and fun, even for players less familiar with fighting games. An optional simplified control scheme allows players to execute combos, special moves, supers, and even tag assists by repeatedly pressing a single button.

The game also introduces an 'Overkill' system. As Parbhoo describes it, "This mechanic lets you hit a superhero so hard that you might just knock off a limb or two. That's the kind of brutal, over-the-top action that defines the 'Invincible' universe."

Fans can be assured that series creator Robert Kirkman is deeply involved in the project. From an artistic standpoint, his vision is invaluable to the team.

"We don't want the game to feel disconnected from the source material," Eder stressed. "If anything, we're tapping into Kirkman's deep knowledge to find creative ways to expand on the world. We're not just recreating scenes from the show beat-for-beat—that could become predictable. Instead, we're looking for ways to elevate the experience, and Robert is central to those discussions. After all, who knows these characters better than him, along with co-creators like Ryan Ottley and Corey Walker?"

'Invincible VS' is scheduled for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. For more highlights, explore the biggest reveals from IGN Live and the Xbox Games Showcase.