Sony Interactive Entertainment and Insomniac Games have announced that Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 sales have crossed another milestone. The superhero hit has surpassed 10 million copies sold on the PS5 alone since launch in late October, 2023.

Spider-Man 2 sales impress, but Sony says there’s room for improvement among studios

Insomniac Games celebrated the news on Twitter, and revealed that its Spider-Man series has now crossed 50 million copies sold. The previous entries — Spider-Man 1/Remastered and spin-off Miles Morales — are both available on PC. Spider-Man 2’s PC version has yet to launch.

While Insomniac celebrated the news, SIE chairman and Sony Group CFO Hiroki Totoki expressed some concern about the gaming division’s profit margins and highlighted a need to cut costs. Sony’s first-party blockbusters have somewhat become synonymous with massive budgets and Totoki recognizes that there’s room for improvement when it comes to “sustainable profitability.”

“People who work in the studios have very high motivation,” Totoki said. “They’re very good people, and they’re very creative people. However, having said that, when it comes to the business itself, I think there is room for improvement, and that’s got to do about how to use the money or about the schedule of development or how to fulfill one’s accountability towards development, etc.”

The post Spider-Man 2 Sales Shatter Records With PC Version Yet to Launch appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Insomniac Games has announced the release date for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s new game plus update, which will include many more features.

In a recent tweet, Insomniac Games revealed that the update would release on March 7, 2024. Alongside the inclusion of a New Game+ mode, the update will also include some other highly requested features like new suits and more.

Last year, Insomniac Games also noted that things like the ability to change the time of day, swap tendril colors, and replay missions are all being worked on and added into the game.

Insomniac Games worked to make a quality update

Originally set to release in 2023, Insomniac Games instead delayed the release of the update to make sure it was up to par with their standard of quality.

“We have been working vigilantly on these features and require more testing to ensure the quality is up to our standards,” their statement read at the time. “We’ve heard your feedback and will be adding some highly requested features.” Insomniac said that it plans to share a complete list of new features closer to the patch’s release and thanked fans for their patience.

In other Insomniac news, the studio has reportedly been a victim of a ransomware attack, with hackers allegedly gaining access to Wolverine PS5 materials as well as employee info and secret projects. Sony has said that it’s investigating the attack.

The post Spider-Man 2 PS5 New Game Plus Update Release Date Set appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

PS Plus Premium members, specifically those who have a PS5, can enjoy chunky game trials for two of 2023’s major video games: Alan Wake 2 and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. While Alan Wake 2’s free trial is live, players will have to wait until next week to give Spider-Man 2 a shot.

New PS Plus Premium game trial lengths offer a good look at the games

Alan Wake 2’s PS Plus trial is three hours long. For those who haven’t been following the game, Alan Wake 2’s main story can be beaten in under 20 hours so this trial is a decent-sized slice. Spider-Man 2’s game trial, which will go live on Tuesday, February 6, will be two hours long. Its main story is roughly the same length as Alan Wake 2’s (17-18 hours, depending on playstyle).

It’s unclear how long the trials will be available but Sony says Spider-Man 2’s trial will be available for a limited time only, calling it a “Valentine’s celebration” on the PlayStation Blog. All campaign progress and trophies from trials carry over to full games, if players proceed to purchase them.

As a reminder, PS Plus Essential’s monthly games for February will also go live on Tuesday, the 6th.

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Hogwarts Legacy beats Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 to be the best-selling US PS5 game on the PS Store for 2023, as well as on PS5 and PS4 in Europe. The news comes just days after it was revealed that Hogwarts Legacy was the first non-Call of Duty or Rockstar-developed title to top the US sales chart since 2008.

PS5 and PS4 PS Store top downloads in 2023

Hogwarts Legacy takes the top spot in the PS5 downloads chart in North America, although Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 beats it in the PS4 chart. This result comes as little surprise following the reveal of the US sales chart at the end of last week. The US sales charts are usually dominated by the latest Call of Duty title or the newest game developed by Rockstar. However, Hogwarts Legacy became the first best seller to fall outside of those categories since Rock Band in 2008.

Elsewhere in the PS Store charts, EA Sports FC 24 took the top spot for both PS5 and PS4 in Europe. Meanwhile, the biggest first-party release for Sony was Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which hit #3 in North America and #5 in Europe. These are the top PlayStation Store downloads for PS5 and PS4 for 2023:

PS5 US/Canada top downloads

1. Hogwarts Legacy
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
3. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
4. Madden NFL 24
5. NBA 2K24
6. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
7. Baldur’s Gate 3
8. Diablo IV
9. EA Sports FC 24
10. Mortal Kombat 1
11. MLB The Show 23
12. Final Fantasy XVI
13. Resident Evil 4
14. Dead Island 2
15. WWE 2K23
16. Assassin’s Creed Mirage
17. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
18. Dead Space
19. Street Fighter 6
20. Grand Theft Auto V

PS5 EU Top Downloads

1. EA Sports FC 24
2. Hogwarts Legacy
3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
4. Grand Theft Auto V
5. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
6. FIFA 23
7. Baldur’s Gate 3
8. Diablo IV
9. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
10. Assassin’s Creed Mirage
11. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
12. Cyberpunk 2077
13. F1 23
14. Resident Evil 4
15. Final Fantasy XVI
16. NBA 2K24
17. NBA 2K23
18. Dead Island 2
19. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
20. Need for Speed Unbound

PS4 US/Canada Top Downloads

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
2. Hogwarts Legacy
3. MLB The Show 23
4. Madden NFL 24
5. NBA 2K24
6. EA Sports FC 24
7. Diablo IV
8. Red Dead Redemption
9. Red Dead Redemption 2
10. WWE 2K23
11. Resident Evil 4
12. Minecraft
13. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
14. Grand Theft Auto V
15. Persona 4 Golden
16. Dead Island 2
17. NHL 24
18. Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
19. Wobbly Life
20. Batman: Arkham Knight

PS4 EU Top Downloads

1. EA Sports FC 24
2. Minecraft
3. Red Dead Redemption 2
4. Grand Theft Auto V
5. FIFA 23
6. The Forest
7. The Last of Us Part II
8. Hogwarts Legacy
9. A Way Out
10. Gang Beasts
11. UFC 4
12. NBA 2K23
13. Need for Speed Heat
14. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
15. The Last of Us Remastered
16. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
17. theHunter: Call of the Wild
18. The Crew 2
19. Star Wars Battlefront II
20. Tekken 7

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A new Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 leak has revealed a number of Symbiote bosses that were cut from the final game. Images and reference to four bosses were found in the game’s PC dev build, which hackers leaked online following a large-scale ransomware attack on Insomniac Games.

Will Spider-Man 2’s cut bosses appear in the rumored Venom spin-off?

The leaked bosses are Riot, Lasher, Agony, and Phage. The images, shared by Twitter user Saulman11835779, seem to be early designs based on Life Foundation Symbiotes.

Interestingly, the leaker also discovered references to Venom appearing as early as Act 2 with a story arc based on separation anxiety. When they attempted to load this part of Spider-Man 2, they saw various Life Foundation Symbiotes in their canisters.

Not long ago, Venom voice actor Tony Todd revealed that he recorded quite a bit of dialogue for Spider-Man 2, only 10% of which was used in the final game. This has led fans to speculate that Insomniac Games either decided to shorten the game’s scope, or this cut content will eventually make its way to the rumored Venom spin-off game.

The Venom spin-off was leaked as part of the Insomniac hack in December, and will supposedly act as a bridge between Spider-Man 2 and 3.

The post Spider-Man 2 Leak Reveals Several Scrapped Symbiote Bosses appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

An unofficial PC port of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has been released using a recently leaked build of the game. Ransomware attackers targeted Insomniac Games last month, leaking virtually everything they could get their hands on including Spider-Man 2’s PC dev build.

Unofficial Spider-Man 2 PC release contains the full game but is full of bugs and glitches

We’re not going to share any links to the port here but proof of its existence was shared over on Twitter by PC_Focus. The game understandably isn’t in perfect condition but the folks working on the port are apparently patching it up and improving things on the go. The full release reportedly weighs around 256GB, presumably because it’s an unoptimized mess.

Neverheless, this is a disaster for Insomniac Games, who has reportedly been banning the developers of the unofficial build from its official Discord server. At least one of the developers has also reportedly quit working on the port, likely due to fear of repercussions. According to PC_Focus, some of the unofficial port’s Brazil-based developers are still on the task.

Sony is probably tracing the source of the build and gearing up to take action as we speak. Needless to say, we advise against downloading anything unofficial if you do end up coming across a link to the build.

The post Unofficial Spider-Man 2 PC Port Has Been Released appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Stephanie Tyler Jones, the face model of MJ in Marvel’s Spider-Man 1 and 2, has released a statement decrying stalking and harassment from players. A bunch of folks crossed boundaries last weekend, with one calling Jones’ workplace and demanding to speak to her, prompting a response from her and Insomniac Games.

Trolls previously attacked Spider-Man 2 intern over likeness to MJ

In a statement published on Instagram, Jones said that she appreciates the response to her role in Spider-Man games but is no longer an actively auditioning actor or model. However, some fans continue to cross the line, making Jones feel “uncomfortable and unsafe.”

“The shoots I do now are purely a creative outlet for myself and a way to collaborate with friends I love,” part of Jones’ statement reads. “My skincare page is not for Spider-Man or MJ fans. Please respect that I am a human being trying to make a living just like you.”

You can read the full statement below:

Insomniac Games’ James Stevenson took to Twitter in Jones’ support, decrying doxxing and harassment.

Prior to this, trolls attacked a former intern at Insomniac Games just because she looked like MJ, labeling her a “self-insert.” Embarrassing and abhorrent, to say the least.

The post Spider-Man 2 MJ Face Model Addresses Harassment From Players appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Unfortunately, 2023 wasn’t the best year for PlayStation exclusives. The only title from Sony’s stable to make it on our Game of the Year 2023 list is Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. However, there were plenty of third-party masterpieces to make up for it. Check out our favorite games of the year below!

PlayStation LifeStyle Game of the Year 2023 List:

10. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Cyberpunk 2077’s had a long road to redemption. When Son kicked the game off the PlayStation Store because of technical issues, we never thought its DLC would end up on our Game of the Year list two years later. Phantom Liberty has enough content to be a game in its own right and offers an alternate take on how V’s journey could have ended up. Unfortunately, the DLC and the 2.0 update that launched alongside it are only available on PS5. However, if you have the PS4 version, you can still upgrade for free!

Buy Cyberpunk 2077 on Amazon

9. Final Fantasy 16

It seems inevitable that Final Fantasy 16 will be one of the more divisive entries in the series. It primarily concentrates on one character, Clive Rosfield, as opposed to a huge party, and the story is focused on his perspective. For some fans, that eschews franchise tradition, but we appreciated the narrowed focus compared to Final Fantasy 15, which was a bit all over the place. Clive’s story stands out as one of the more poignant we’ve seen in a Final Fantasy, and it’s a spectacle to behold.

Buy Final Fantasy 16 on Amazon

8. Assassin’s Creed Mirage

This pseudo-prequel to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla takes the series back to its roots and pays homage to the original. Unlike the sprawling epics we’ve gotten in the last few entries, Assassin’s Creed Mirage is localized to 9th-century Baghdad and ditches many of the role-playing elements to emphasize stealth, assassinations, and parkour. We couldn’t help but be relieved to play a distilled experience, and Basim Ibn Ishaq’s origin story reminded us why we fell in love with the franchise in the first place.

Buy Assassin’s Creed Mirage on Amazon

7. Hogwarts Legacy

Despite the controversy surrounding the Harry Potter franchise, Hogwarts Legacy managed to captivate us with its rendition of the titular wizarding school and the surrounding countryside. For those of us who grew up alongside Harry, the chance to attend Hogwarts was a dream come true. Exploring its nooks and crannies, attending classes, and seeing the many easter eggs the developers included was a treat. Where Hogwarts Legacy goes above and beyond, though, is that the gameplay is fun enough to stand on its own merits. Even if this is your first visit to Hogwarts, you can still have a blast and leave wanting more.

Buy Hogwarts Legacy on Amazon

6. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order itched the scratch Star Wars fans had for years when it was released in 2019, and we couldn’t wait to get back to a galaxy far, far away in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. It’s everything the first game was, but bigger and better. Cal gets more abilities and equipment, environments are more expensive, and we even get to chill in a cantina whenever we want. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor provides the excitement that most of Disney’s projects have lacked and has done much more to keep the franchise alive than it gets credit for.

Buy Star Wars Jedi: Survivor on Amazon

5. Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter 6 is our favorite fighting game of the year because of its respect for newcomers and veterans. It’s an excellent point to enter the series, thanks to its revamped mechanics and multiple control options. However, it still retains enough of the franchise’s traditions to keep from alienating those who cut their teeth on SF 2-5. We also loved the absolutely bonkers story mode that channeled Yakuza to make one of the best create-a-fighter experiences ever. If you have even a little interest in the fighting genre, it’s worth checking this game out.

Buy Street Fighter 6 on Amazon

4. Resident Evil 4 remake

Resident Evil 4 revolutionized the series when it debuted in 2005 and is lauded as one of the best games ever. Its influence on gaming as a whole is so strong that many doubted that a remake could do it justice. However, Capcom managed to pull off a fantastic retelling that complements the original perfectly. Almost every aspect of the original has been remade or expanded, and the updated gameplay makes blasting through Ganados a thrill. Resident Evil 4 remake is another excellent entry in the alternate continuity started with RE2 remake, and we’re excited to see which game gets reimagined next (fingers crossed for Code Veronica)!

Buy Resident Evil 4 remake on Amazon

3. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Marvel’s Spider-Man and its Miles Morales-centric follow-up were hard acts to follow. Somehow, Insomniac Games managed to outdo themselves and then some with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Peter Parker and Miles join forces to take on a multitude of threats while navigating their personal lives. From Kraven the Hunter’s militaristic menace to the symbiote Venom sapping Peter of both his good nature and healthy relationships, this gutsy sequel took an already solid foundation and gave both heroes an expanded inventory of unlockable abilities, gadgets, and suits with which fans could explore and defend New York City. While this movie could have resulted in a tired storyline or rote gameplay loop, instead it strengthened an already excellent series with thoughtful writing, inclusive characters, and comic book-powered combat to satisfy all players. The biggest problem with this tandem adventure is that it eventually has to end.

Buy Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on Amazon

2. Baldur’s Gate 3

Player agency has been a hot topic in the gaming industry for decades. Some studios like to keep players focused on the task at hand, while others open their worlds up for a bit more interaction. However, with Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios went beyond this. It removed practically all limitations to how a player could affect their surroundings. See a locked door? You can talk the key out of an NPC, blow it down, find a hidden route to completely bypass it, or simply ignore it. The challenge in this CRPG is to find your way, and there are so many possibilities and so much raw content that everyone’s playthrough will be different.

1. Alan Wake 2

It took 13 years for Alan Wake 2 to be released, but the wait was worth it. FBI agent Saga Anderson joins Alan’s struggle to escape the Dark Place, and we’re once again thrust into the madness surrounding the town of Bright Falls. The plot is a roller coaster examining family, religion, and the supernatural, and it had us hooked from beginning to end. Excellent pacing keeps the lengthy story from becoming a slog, and the ability to alternate between Saga and Alan’s story means each player will have a slightly different experience during their playthrough. While it’s rooted in survival horror, we recommend this game to anyone who wants a strong single-player experience.

The post PlayStation LifeStyle’s Game of the Year 2023 appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Internet users are continuing to sift through leaked Insomniac Games files following the recent hack and have now seemingly found evidence of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 PS5 multiplayer. Users claim to have found multiplayer code within files that are about a month old, leading to speculations that Insomniac will release a multiplayer add-on.

How convincing is the Spider-Man 2 multiplayer leak?

Speculations of Spider-Man 2 having some sort of a co-op mode have been swirling since the game was announced, and two main protagonists were confirmed. However, Insomniac continued to shoot rumors down and stressed that Spider-Man 2 is a single-player experience. At one point, Miles Morales voice actor Nadji Jeter mentioned co-op in an interview, but Insomniac debunked that statement.

According to Reddit user No_Kaleidoscope_9471, the files they found mention air vehicles and a progression system. They also shared screenshots of code that mentions multiplayer elements like a dedicated game server.

However, one Redditor is of the view that game engines often have client-server communication implementation by default, and the mere mention of it in code doesn’t necessarily imply that a game is ready for multiplayer.

Whether Spider-Man 2 will get multiplayer and co-op missions or not is anybody’s guess right now.

The post Spider-Man 2 PS5 Multiplayer References Found in Leaked Files appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

The recent Insomniac Games hack has revealed some of the studio’s plans for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 DLC. Unless those plans have changed, the game is expected to receive three free DLC packs.

What we know about the leaked Spider-Man 2 DLC

The three DLC packs mentioned in an internal Insomniac Games presentation are called Beetle Infestation, Extreme Carnage, and Spider-Verse Anomaly. Both Beetle Infestation and Extreme Carnage are supposed to include an open world mission and a boss fight each, whereas Spider-Verse Anomaly was planned to be a Sony Pictures crossover with Spider-Verse NPCs and villains, a Spider-Verse mission, and a Spider-Verse visual filter.

It’s unclear if these plans have since changed. The leaked roadmap of Insomniac Games titles does not include information on DLC and add-ons, but it does reveal a Venom spinoff akin to Miles Morales that’ll tie both Spider-Man 2 and the upcoming Spider-Man 3 together.

There are three concept images of the aforementioned DLCs that are included in the leaked presentation, which can be found hosted over on ResetEra. Some websites have reported that Insomniac plans an online mode for Spider-Man 2, but we have seen no confirmation of this thus far. However, we did find information pertaining to a possibly canned stand-alone Spider-Man multiplayer game.

The post Spider-Man 2 Reportedly Getting Several Free DLCs appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.