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Marvel, Microsoft hatch video games alliance
MUMBAI: Software major Microsoft has struck a deal with Marvel Comics which owns the rights to characters like Spiderman. The deal will put Spidey, the Incredible Hulk and some 5,000 other superheroes, villains and ordinary mortals on to Microsoft’s next-generation games console, the Xbox 360.
Although the games will not be released until 2008 media reports state that Marvel worldwide president of consumer media Tim Rothwell has indicated that it will be the only such MMO deal the company will make – ensuring that no Marvel MMO can appear on the PlayStation 3 or Revolution.
This is Marvel’s first Multiplayer online game (MMOG) agreement with Microsoft’s first title due in 2008. Microsoft Xbox corporate VP worldwide marketing and publishing Peter moore said, “Online gaming is reaching a point of acceptance. We will use as many of the Marvel characters as we can.”
Rothwell says, “The alliance with Microsoft catapults us into the games category in an unprecedented way. Microsoft is an acknowledged leader in the interactive game space, and backed by their technology, creative and marketing clout, Marvel will establish a strong presence in the burgeoning online gaming arena. We are very excited to be working with Microsoft to bring our fans what we expect will be a world-class online gaming experience. We also believe that online gaming will provide valuable, global exposure to our character brands.”
News Broadcasting
India Today Group debuts AI anchor ‘Sutra’ at AI Impact Summit 2026
Sutra aims to simplify live policy debates using sovereign AI models
NEW DELHI: India Today Group has unveiled Sutra, an AI-driven news anchor designed to deliver real-time, contextual reporting, marking the group’s latest push to integrate artificial intelligence into mainstream journalism.
The AI anchor was introduced at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi and developed in collaboration with BharatGen, with the initiative showcased by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
India Today Group said Sutra is built to navigate complex policy discussions and fast-moving developments by synthesising information into concise, accessible insights, aimed at narrowing the gap between high-level debates and public understanding. The AI anchor was used to surface live takeaways from key sessions at the summit.
India Today Group chief AI officer Nilanjan Das, said the project was focused on clarity and accessibility without diluting editorial rigour. He added that working with BharatGen aligned the group’s AI ambitions with India’s broader push towards sovereign technology capabilities.
BharatGen CEO Rishi Bal, said the partnership reflected a shift from basic automation towards deeper contextual intelligence in media. He emphasised the importance of indigenous, multimodal AI models capable of understanding Indian languages, regional dialects and cultural nuance, particularly as AI-driven news formats gain traction.
The launch positions India Today Group among the first major Indian media houses to deploy an AI anchor backed by home-grown technology, underscoring a growing convergence between journalism, public policy and sovereign AI infrastructure.
