Invincible, Creators on Killer Instinct 3v3 Tag Origins - IGN Live 2025

The Xbox Showcase unveiled the exciting announcement of Invincible VS, and we caught up with Skybound's Quarter Up team during IGN Live to explore why this 3v3 fighter perfectly complements Robert Kirkman's superhero saga—with notable inspiration from Killer Instinct.

Invincible VS brings beloved characters from the comics and animated series to life, featuring Mark Grayson (Invincible), Omni-Man, Atom Eve, Bulletproof, and Thula. The decision to make this a team-based fighter was a natural fit, given the franchise's emphasis on squads like Teen Team and the Viltrumites—a point art director Dan Eder and combat designer Reepal Parbhoo emphasized.

"When you dive into Invincible—whether through the comics or the show—the team dynamics are impossible to ignore," Parbhoo noted. "With groups like the Guardians of the Globe and the Global Defense Agency, a multi-character format just made sense compared to traditional one-on-one combat."

While team mechanics shaped the game's structure, authenticity in character portrayal remained paramount. The developers meticulously balanced aesthetics from the source material with gameplay adaptations.

"Doing justice to these characters was our top priority," Eder explained. "We drew heavily from the show’s visual style while adapting it for gaming—debating between realism and stylization, lighting techniques, and even adding outlines for a striking 2D-3D hybrid effect. The wealth of existing material gave us a solid foundation."

The combat system also carries Killer Instinct’s DNA, thanks to Quarter Up’s leadership by alumni of the 2013 revival’s core team. Though adapted for 3v3 battles, the signature "combo breaker" mechanic returns with a twist—now tied to assists.

"Killer Instinct’s visceral impact is baked into Invincible VS," Parbhoo added. "We kept the interplay between offense and defense but redesigned combo breaks around assist calls. The Overkill system cranks it up—imagine punching a hero hard enough to rip limbs off, just like in the comics."

Accessibility is key: simplified controls let players unleash flashy combos with button mashing, while Robert Kirkman’s creative oversight ensures fidelity to the source. As Eder put it: "We’re not copying the show beat-for-beat—we’re elevating it with fresh ideas, guided by Kirkman and the original artists."

Invincible VS launches in 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Discover more highlights from IGN Live and the Xbox Games Showcase.