Insomniac Games has arguably been the MVP of PlayStation Studios since 2018. Every year, the former platformer specialist has delivered GOTY-worthy titles for the PlayStation platform. Starting with Marvel’s Spider-Man, Insomniac has given audiences one hit after hit. But, after a slew of successful single-player titles, it appears that Insomniac is finally ready to work on a multiplayer game.
Even as the first-party Sony studio busily develops Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which got a new trailer at San Diego Comic-Con, and Marvel’s Wolverine, which may come out next year, Imsoniac’s “other” ongoing project is equally as interesting.
As pointed out by @Dream_WaIker on Twitter, Erin Eberhardt revealed she recently joined Insomniac Games last November as the Project Director of an unannounced title, which, if you’ve been keeping up with all of the cyber-sleuthing we’ve been doing all this time, can only point towards the multiplayer project that the studio was hiring for two years ago.
👀 Insomniac Games can't stop!🔥
They've been working on another unannounced AAA!
Aside from Marvel's Spider-Man 2 & Wolverine PS5
Unmatched output!Formerly at Activision Blizzard, the Project Director also praises Sony 's culture💙#PlayStation #Xbox #SpiderMan2PS5 #Venom pic.twitter.com/xhap58Ixti
— Dream Walker (@Dream_WaIker) July 23, 2023
At the time of its open hiring, Insomniac was looking to fill a variety of positions. But, upon further digging, one thing that all had in common is the mention of a “new IP development.”
So, those hoping to see a multiplayer take on Marvel’s Spider-Man, Ratchet & Clank, or a sequel to Sunset Overdrive might want to temper their expectations.
Given that this development coincides with Sony’s massive live-service push – the gaming giant recently doubled down on its investment in the genre – following its Bungie acquisition last year, it’s likely that this unannounced AAA game will feature prominently in the initiative.
Unfortunately, as Eberhardt makes it clear in the interview, she can’t talk much about the project yet, hinting that it’s early in its development. But, the mere mention of an “unannounced game” is enough to excite fans.
If we put together the timeline of when this mysterious project first emerged (around 2021) and how long it might take to develop, we’re easily looking at a potential 2025 or 2026 release window, barring any potential delays to the game and the “other” big project presumably taking precedence over it.
Given the studio’s track record, however, it’s easy to Insomniac’s penchant for seamless traversal and combat mechanics be relatively easy to transition to a potential co-op multiplayer game that would see players work together to take down a boss-level kind of threat.
After working primarily on Marvel games since 2018 and “lower-budget” projects before Sony’s acquisition was finalized in 2019 – you could argue that Insomniac’s only other AAA project outside of Ratchet & Clank in the last decade was Sunset Overdrive – it’s clear that Insomniac wants to try something completely new this time around. And, while the presumably live-service elements could sully the hype surrounding the upcoming game, Eberhardt’s excitement to “be back home” after a stint with Blizzard Entertainment’s esports division (she also praised Sony’s investment in its employees) is a good sign.
Most likely, we’ll hear about Marvel’s Wolverine first before this AAA title is officially revealed to the public. Until then, we can keep ourselves busy with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
The upcoming sequel to the 2018 title (and the 2020 spin-off/standalone expansion) hits the PlayStation 5 on October 20. If you’re interested, you can get yourself a custom-themed PlayStation 5 console, complete with a unique DualSense controller.
If you’re a PC gamer, you’re also in luck. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is crossing over to another platform after two years of exclusivity on the PlayStation 5 with its PC release on July 26.
