Spider-Man 2 Devs Getting ‘Violent Threats’

Multiple members of Insomniac’s game development team have responded to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 players sending violent threats in demand of updates to the superhero sequel. Part of the Insomniac leaks from 2023 included a look at possible Spider-Man 2 DLC content, and a New Game Plus mode is coming, but some fans have lost their patience waiting for the developers to complete and release updates.

Released in October 2023, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 returns players to New York City where they play as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales and battle against iconic villains. Spider-Man 2 received some mixed reactions from players online but received overwhelmingly positive critic review scores, even earning nominations for various game awards. Regardless, some gamers have grown impatient with the wait for fresh updates to the game, with a vocal few resorting to threats toward the developers.

Insomniac team members took to social media to voice their responses to online harassment, namely violent threats demanding new content for Spider-Man 2. Advanced senior community manager Aaron Jason Espinoza tweeted about the “childish” antics of gamers sending “violent threats” to game developers. Insomniac community and marketing director James Stevenson amplified the statements, noting that the development team knows what fans want and is hard at work, in spite of challenges. With the 2023 Insomniac game leaks serving as a massive hurdle to the studio, the developers are asking fans to be patient as they continue to work on giving players what they want.

“Don’t do this. We know you want updates and info. We’re working to get things to you as fast as we can, given the extraordinary circumstances our team has faced.”

– James Stevenson, Director of Community and Marketing, Insomniac

The Video Game Industry Continues to Struggle With Toxic Fan Behavior

Spider-Man 2 developers are not the only members of the video game industry to receive violent threats from players. Spider-Man 2 face model Stephanie Tyler Jones reported issues with stalking from disgruntled gamers, and The Last of Us Part 2 voice actor Laura Bailey has spoken about violent comments from fans regarding her performance as Abby. Recently, the developers of Palworld have received threats, ranging from angry comments to completely “unhinged” statements, and last year Nintendo was forced to cancel multiple live events and gaming competitions in Japan after threats of mass violence. Audiences remain weary of the state of toxicity in the video game industry, though many communities are working to encourage positivity among fandoms and promote healthier ways to share feedback with developers.

While it is understandable that fans would like updates to their favorite games, toxic behavior in gaming communities is never justified and remains an issue that many industry workers and casual players would like to eliminate. When developers and gamers are able to positively interact, better content can be produced and communities can be expanded. While Spider-Man 2 fans may need to wait a bit longer for new content, being patient and showing support to the developers during this period would be ideal.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

The sequel to 2018’s Spider-Man and its Miles Morales spin-off, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a PS5 console exclusive. Insomniac’s open-world game features Peter Parker and Miles Morales as dual protagonists, with the two heroes going up against the likes of Kraven, Venom, and Lizard. 

Released

October 20, 2023

Publisher(s)

Sony Interactive Entertainment