In a surprising turn of events, a recent cyberattack on Insomniac Games has unearthed a treasure trove of information, shedding light on potential downloadable content (DLC) for the highly anticipated Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. The breach, orchestrated by the Rhysida group back in December 2023, not only exposed the studio’s ambitious gaming line up but also hinted at the introduction of a new character from the comics.
Initially demanding a hefty $2 million ransom, the hackers, known for their sophisticated ransomware attacks, released a fraction of the stolen data online as proof when Insomniac refused to comply. The subsequent leak, comprising 1.67 terabytes of data, contained not only unreleased content from the Spider-Man series and the upcoming Wolverine game but also sensitive personal information about the studio’s staff.
While the studio has refrained from providing specific comments on the leaked details, the revelations have ignited speculation and excitement among the gaming community. One eagle-eyed Twitter user, @zvis_ceral, uncovered files suggesting the inclusion of a character named Beetle in Insomniac’s DLC plans for Spider-Man 2. According to the leaked information, Janice Lincoln, the daughter of Tombstone, might assume the mantle of Lady Beetle in the game, offering players an enticing array of new enemies, missions, and a potential boss fight. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether this Lady Beetle DLC is still on Insomniac’s radar, given that plans could have been altered following the security breach.
The leaked documents did not stop at Spider-Man 2, providing a sneak peek into Insomniac’s ambitious line up of games in the coming years. Among the revelations were plans for Spider-Man 3, a standalone Venom game, and a new instalment in the beloved Ratchet & Clank series. Notably, the leak unveiled a significant collaboration between Sony and Marvel, securing exclusive rights for X-Men games on Sony platforms until 2035. The first fruit of this collaboration is expected to be an X-Men game slated for release in 2030, expanding Insomniac’s portfolio and heightening anticipation among fans.
As Sony investigates the cyberattack, it maintains that there is no evidence of other Sony Interactive Entertainment divisions being affected. The gaming community rallied behind Insomniac Games in the aftermath of the breach, with several studios and industry figures expressing their support for the beleaguered developers. In response to the incident, Insomniac Games issued a statement acknowledging the toll the hack had taken on the Marvel’s Wolverine project, hinting at potential adjustments in their plans.
In the wake of this security breach, the gaming world eagerly awaits insights into how Insomniac Games will navigate the coming years. The unprecedented leak has not only provided a glimpse into the studio’s future projects but has also raised questions about potential alterations to their roadmap. Only time will reveal the full extent of the impact on Insomniac’s creative endeavours and the evolving landscape of the Marvel gaming universe.
