Sony and Insomniac Games have experienced a slower pace in 2024, a trend that seems to affect many AAA studios across the industry. However, both companies have been hard at work behind the scenes, gearing up for exciting future releases. Titles like Ghost of Yotei and Marvel’s Wolverine are generating buzz among fans, hinting at a bright future for the PlayStation 5.
They certainly should be. Insomniac Games has established itself as the primary studio for licensed Marvel games on PlayStation, and while their work has been impressive, it seems to dominate their portfolio. This perception stems more from the focus on Marvel titles rather than overshadowing Insomniac’s other creations, yet there’s a concern that this could become the norm. 2. Once upon a time, Ratchet & Clank was Insomniac’s hallmark and a beloved franchise for PlayStation fans. It would be unfortunate if that legacy
Ratchet & Clank Used To Be Insomniac’s Star PlayStation Franchise
Insomniac Games officially became a full-fledged studio under Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2019, but their collaboration has been thriving since the early days of the company. The late 90s saw the release of the Spyro the Dragon trilogy, which became an unofficial mascot for the PS1. Following that success, the launch of Ratchet & Clank in 2002 established another iconic franchise for the PS2.
Insomniac’s Relationship With R&C Changed After Marvel’s Spider-Man
During that period, the studio released several additional Ratchet & Clank games, but a significant shift occurred when they were chosen to develop Marvel’s Spider-Man for Sony. The game, launched in 2018, exceeded all expectations in both quality and sales, which probably influenced Sony’s decision to acquire Insomniac the next year.
Like many major studios, Insomniac has released fewer games in the 2020s compared to previous years. They are currently on an extended hiatus from the Ratchet & Clank series, yet they continue to uphold their impressive quality standards while juggling two important intellectual properties.
Marvel Games Risk Replacing Ratchet & Clank Entirely
The December 2023 Insomniac leak reveals an exciting lineup of Marvel projects on the horizon. Among these is Marvel’s Wolverine, part of a total of six confirmed and speculated titles from Insomniac. Notably, Ratchet & Clank is also included, but its release is not expected until at least fiscal year 2029, making it the second most distant title, just ahead of a rumored X-Men game set for 2030.
Ratchet & Clank seems to be taking a backseat to Marvel games, with no spin-offs on the horizon. If this trend continues, especially with the ongoing layoffs in the industry affecting Insomniac, there’s a real risk that Ratchet & Clank could be neglected entirely. Given its status as a beloved Sony franchise with a rich history, it would be disappointing to see it fade away now.