Wolverine gameplay footage and sensitive information belonging to a considerable number of Insomniac Games employees have been made public online. The ransomware group Rhysida has executed its threat to publish 1.67TB of confidential data, following Sony Interactive Entertainment’s refusal to comply with its demands for a payment of 50BTC or $2 million within a specified timeframe. The group asserts that it has released 98 percent of the data, while the remaining two percent has been sold to undisclosed parties, the content of which remains unknown. Videos showcasing unedited gameplay have started circulating, featuring animated storyboards, concept art, game locations, the overall plot, and a projected release date set for 2026.
The leak appears to include a bootable version of Wolverine, which features the game’s main menu and chapter selections labeled as ‘Vertical Slice’, likely intended for demonstration to potential investors and publishers. Casting information has also surfaced, confirming that Liam McIntyre from Spartacus will voice Logan/The Wolverine, alongside renowned voice actor Troy Baker as Mister Sinister, and Debra Wilson as Callisto. Wilson also voices Amanda Waller in WB Games’ upcoming Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which similarly faced earlier leaks regarding its plot. The in-game experience diverges from Insomniac’s Spider-Man series by adopting a more intimate over-the-shoulder camera style, reminiscent of the rebooted God of War. The action is set on Madripoor Island and features an emphasis on brutal combat enhanced by Logan’s adamantium claws, which may also serve to parry incoming attacks.
A spokesperson for Rhysida shared insights with CyberDaily, stating, “Yes, we knew who we were attacking. We knew that developers making games like this would be an easy target,” and noted the group gained access to the domain administrator’s files in as little as 20 to 25 minutes. The leaked files also include emails exchanged among employees and presentations outlining various unannounced projects from Insomniac, suggesting a range of Marvel games that might be interconnected. Notably, Wolverine is intended to be the first installment in a trilogy, with sequels planned for release in 2029 and 2033. Additionally, there are several new intellectual properties in development, along with a new Spider-Man game, aligning with narrative hints from the recently released Spider-Man 2.
Last week, Insomniac Games announced a delay for the New Game+ update for Spider-Man 2 until early 2024, promising the addition of several features, including mission replays and the ability to alter the time of day in the game. The leak also unveiled plans for free DLCs featuring new missions that will involve villains such as the Beetle and Carnage, as well as crossovers with Sony Pictures to incorporate elements from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, including NPCs and a distinctive low-frame-rate comic book visual filter. Following the leak, members of the game development community have rallied online to voice their support for Insomniac Games and condemn the hacking group responsible for the breach. Rockstar Games faced a similar situation in 2022, when in-development footage of GTA VI was leaked, affecting the integrity of their project.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is currently available solely on the PS5. An official release date for the upcoming Wolverine game has yet to be announced.
