Superhero games remain a powerhouse in the gaming industry, driven largely by the unstoppable momentum of cultural giants like Marvel and DC. Given their pervasive influence, it’s hardly surprising that these franchises continue to inspire a steady stream of new games. Among the many companies crafting superhero experiences, Rocksteady and Insomniac have emerged as standout developers, praised for their adept handling of iconic characters.
Rocksteady gained acclaim with their Arkham series, offering a grippingly dark take on Batman’s world. Meanwhile, Insomniac impressed players with Marvel’s Spider-Man, and they’re set to expand their roster with the upcoming Marvel’s Wolverine. Despite their shared history of success, Rocksteady recently stumbled with the disappointing release of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League last year. Insomniac has faced its own set of challenges, yet Rocksteady may find valuable lessons in Insomniac’s approach to recovering from setbacks.
Interestingly, despite working with different superhero licenses, the paths of Rocksteady and Insomniac share remarkable similarities. Both have been lauded for their compelling single-player superhero games, marked by rich narratives that sometimes eclipse the cinematic portrayals of their characters. However, both studios have also felt the sting of unsuccessful live-service projects. Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad was poorly received by audiences, whereas Insomniac shelved a Spider-verse live-service game before it even launched. While Rocksteady bore the brunt of financial losses from their misstep, they and Insomniac share the experience of navigating the pitfalls of live-service adventures.
Rumors have floated around about Insomniac working on a Venom spin-off, yet the studio has remained silent on any substantiated developments. Moving forward, both studios must tread carefully with future projects. Insomniac plans to dive into a Wolverine-centric game after the success of Marvel’s Spider-Man. But Wolverine lacks the web-slinging mechanics that made Spider-Man’s gameplay so exhilarating. This presents a challenge in maintaining engaging traversal mechanics. Similarly, Rocksteady must strategize carefully to regain its once-stellar reputation. There’s potential in revisiting beloved characters, and it could be wise for them to look at Insomniac’s playbook of sticking with fan favorites.
Recent buzz suggests that James Gunn has been in talks with Rocksteady about future DC Universe gaming ties, hinting at potential new projects rooted in that realm. For Rocksteady, leveraging their expertise with Batman might be a prudent move. Batman offers a solid foundation, a familiar path they could retread to stabilize the company’s standing.
While both studios are at uncertain crossroads, Insomniac currently enjoys a stronger streak. Yet this status quo is not fixed—Rocksteady might find its footing once again, perhaps through re-embracing the Batman universe before venturing into new territory.
