Spider-Man 2 Studio Hacked, Data Held Ransom Including Upcoming Games
Video game developer Insomniac Games, celebrated for its critically acclaimed Spider-Man series, has fallen victim to a cyberattack, Cyber Daily reports. Rhysida, the hacking group responsible, claims to have successfully breached the company’s security and now possesses sensitive data, including details about Marvel’s highly anticipated Wolverine game.
Even Spider-Man voice actor Yuri Lowenthal appears to be a victim, with his personal documents now in the hands of the hackers.
The Insomniac Games breach was made public when Rhysida posted a limited data set on its leak site, providing a glimpse into the severity of the situation. Among the material released is an annotated screenshot from the upcoming Wolverine game, showcasing potential Marvel character art hinting at the expansive universe the game might explore.
Unfortunately, the breach goes beyond game assets, as passport scans belonging to Insomniac Games employees have also been exposed. An ex-employee, who was laid off two months ago and is now working at Disney, has had personal information compromised. Even Spider-Man voice actor Yuri Lowenthal appears to be a victim, with his personal documents now in the hands of the hackers.
Rhysida is giving the studio seven days before the entire dataset is published.
The leaked data doesn’t stop there. Internal emails and signed, confidential documents belonging to Insomniac Games have been featured as proof of the hack. As a result, this extensive breach threatens the privacy of individuals associated with Insomniac and puts the studio’s confidential business information at risk.
Holding Insomniac Games hostage, Rhysida is giving the studio seven days before the entire dataset is published. The ransomware operators are auctioning the stolen data with a starting bid of 50 bitcoins, equivalent to over $2 million. “With just seven days on the clock, seize the opportunity to bid on exclusive, unique, and impressive data,” Rhysida wrote on its leak site.
“Open your wallets and be ready to buy exclusive data. We sell only to one hand. No reselling. You will be the only owner!” the post continued. Rhysida’s actions raise concerns for Insomniac Games and the broader gaming industry, as they highlight the growing threat of cyber attacks targeting high-profile studios.
The authenticity of the cyber attack remains uncertain, leaving unanswered questions regarding whether the personal data of Insomniac Games employees and associates has indeed fallen into the possession of a ransomware group. No individuals affected by the alleged breach have come forward, and Sony and Insomniac have not issued a statement on the subject.
Should the hack prove genuine, the complete scope of the breach is yet to be revealed. Prominent corporations like Insomniac Games are frequently targeted by ransomware groups. A noteworthy example from recent history is the 2022 cyber attack on Rockstar, where early footage of Grand Theft Auto 6 was illicitly shared alongside a breach of GTA 5’s source code.
Founded in 1994, Insomniac Games initially gained prominence with the Spyro the Dragon series in the late 1990s. The studio’s success soared with the Ratchet & Clank series, celebrated for its engaging action-adventure gameplay. They also ventured into the first-person shooter genre with the Resistance series, showcasing an alternate-history conflict against alien invaders.
The authenticity of the cyber attack remains uncertain, leaving unanswered questions regarding whether the personal data of Insomniac Games employees and associates has indeed fallen into the possession of a ransomware group.
In 2014, Insomniac Games released Sunset Overdrive, an open-world, third-person shooter lauded for its vibrant aesthetics and dynamic gameplay. A significant milestone came with their collaboration with Marvel, resulting in the critically acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-Man in 2018 and its 2020 follow-up, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
Exclusive to PlayStation, these titles marked a successful partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment. In 2019, Sony officially acquired Insomniac Games, cementing its status as a first-party PlayStation studio. The acquisition ensures continued collaboration and the creation of exclusive, high-quality gaming experiences for PlayStation platforms.
