They say that when it rains, it pours, and we can only describe what Insomniac Games is going through as a torrential downpour that isn’t stopping anytime soon.
After becoming the latest victim of a major hack, which saw several studios and individual developers express support and sympathy, Insomniac Games has now seen its future plans, not only leak, but become playable on the internet.
At least half a decade before Marvel’s Wolverine becomes available on PlayStation 5, the upcoming X-Men game is now available to play on PC.
The leaked build, now circulating online, raises serious concerns about cybersecurity and the vulnerabilities faced by a lot of developers during the development process. It certainly doesn’t help that Sony has remained silent throughout the ordeal.
Nevertheless, it’s important to note that the leaked build of Marvel’s Wolverine is an extremely early version of the PS5-exclusive title, possibly more rudimentary than, let’s say, the similarly unpolished build of GTA 6 that was unfortunately leaked last year. Thus, if you’re one of the few who expected more out of the game, it’s not representative of the final product. Not to mention, the PC port of Marvel’s Wolverine, while expected, isn’t even confirmed yet. If it’s true that it comes out on PS5 in 2026, the earliest PC gamers can get their hands on it will be 2027 or 2028.
With that said, this unfinished state of Marvel’s Wolverine isn’t the way Insomniac wants you to consume their work.
Finally, it should already go without saying, the risk of downloading and playing this leaked build extend beyond ethical considerations. Engaging with hacked materials poses significant security threats to users, potentially exposing devices to malware, viruses, and other cybersecurity hazards. It’s critical for gamers to understand that downloading illegally obtained games from unofficial sources can compromise their personal data and digital security. Additionally, distributing or playing leaked game builds can lead to legal consequences.
As more information from the data breach unfolds, it reflects the harsh reality that the gaming industry needs to find a better way to protect sensitive information. In particular, Insomniac finds itself victimized by individuals who revealed personal information of its employees online.
Ironically, X-Men Origins: Wolverine suffered from a similar setback. An early build of the 2009 film, without finished VFX, found its way on the internet back then. Among other things, it contained hand-written notes for the missing VFX.
On the plus side, this early build of Marvel’s Wolverine confirms the homogenous nature of gaming platforms. The PC build’s existence proves that most games, even exclusives, have internal builds that run on PC, presumably for testing purposes, among others.
Insomniac Games’ next course of action remains unclear, but we’re hoping the studio can recover from this.
Speaking of, Insomniac’s ambitious plans for the X-Men franchise was included in the massive leak. Sony’s exclusivity deal with Marvel for the video game rights to X-Men characters extends through 2035. Once it ends, Insomniac will have released multiple X-Men games, including a co-op title.
