According to Insomniac Games developer Lindsay Thompson, Sunset Overdrive had a huge influence on Spider-Man PS4 and Miles Morales.
Sunset Overdrive affected the development of Marvel’s Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, according to Insomniac Games creator Lindsay Thompson in a recent Twitter tweet. Sunset Overdrive, developed in a second-party partnership with Xbox Game Studios, is one of the most unforgettable experiences of the eighth console generation. But, unfortunately, it’s also arguably one of the most underappreciated.
Sunset Overdrive is a colorful post-apocalyptic open-world game set in 2027, where toxic energy drinks have turned many citizens into bloodthirsty mutants. But, in classic Insomniac Games style, the outrageous premise is only part of the fun, with unique weapons and high-octane traversal options enhancing the experience in the best conceivable ways. In many ways, the studio’s work on its two Marvel’s Spider-Man films, both of which elevated the standard in terms of character movement, fits this description. In this sense, Sunset Overdrive appears to have been crucial to Spider-Man’s success.
Insomniac’s Senior Cinematic Animator Lindsay Thompson noted that Sunset Overdrive served as a “major proving ground” for the team’s work in producing Spider-Man PS4, Miles Morales, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart in response to a post from YouTuber Justin’s Gaming Corner. According to Thompson, each game in recent memory has laid the way for the next, implying the significance of Sunset Overdrive in the great scheme of things. Thompson’s full statement on the subject is as follows:
I think a really cool thing to note is how all of our recent games have paved the way for the next one. This game was a huge proving ground for all the work we ended up getting to do later in Spider-Man, Miles, and Rift Apart. It was super fun to make too! #sunsetoverdrive https://t.co/QpvrBbW3By
— Lindsay Thompson (@Binzimation) January 13, 2022
Given the nature of game development and content creation, this shouldn’t surprise you. Early undertakings, according to reason, will inform others who follow in their footsteps. Sunset Overdrive and Spider-Man have so much in common that it would be even more surprising if the 2014 game didn’t influence the PlayStation exclusive’s design.
Sunset Overdrive was released exclusively on Xbox One in 2014 by Insomniac Games and Xbox Game Studios, with a PC port following a few years later in 2018. Of course, given Sony’s acquisition of the studio over two years ago, whether or not the adventure will ever be ported to PlayStation hardware remains unanswered. However, because Insomniac controls the IP rights, Creative Director Marcus Smith has stated that nothing will prevent a sequel from appearing on the Sony-branded system in the future.
On the PS4 and PS5, Marvel’s Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales are available to play, while Sunset Overdrive is available on PC and Xbox.
Source: Lindsay Thompson/Twitter
