By Sagar V. Mankar 
Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018) has been a monumental success, both critically and financially. According to a LinkedIn post by Kevin Kimball, former Global Group Marketing Manager at Sony Interactive Entertainment, the game has generated a massive $3.8 billion in revenue since its release, making it one of Sony’s most lucrative titles.
Kimball shared that the game jumped to a 971% sales in its first year, selling over 20 million copies globally. These sales, coupled with console bundles and potential merchandising revenue, contributed to the reported $3.8 billion figure.
At launch, the game was priced at $59.99, and its inclusion in PlayStation 4 console bundles further boosted its reach and profitability. By 2020, the game had crossed the 20 million sales mark, and later reports indicated it had sold over 33 million copies worldwide.
Budget vs. Revenue
Marvel’s Spider-Man was developed on a budget of approximately $90 million, excluding potential marketing expenses. While this budget may seem significant, the game’s revenue dwarfs its initial investment. However, some analysts question the $3.8 billion figure, noting that even at full price, 33 million copies would not equate to such a high revenue number.
One plausible explanation is that the reported revenue includes profits from console bundles, merchandising, and digital sales, which often come with a higher profit margin. Alternatively, the figure could represent cumulative earnings from the entire franchise, including Spider-Man: Miles Morales and other related products.
Insomniac’s Continued Success
Following the success of Marvel’s Spider-Man, Insomniac Games has cemented its reputation as one of Sony’s most valuable studios. The sequel, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, reportedly cost $300 million to develop, including marketing expenses. Despite its hefty price tag, the game is expected to replicate or even surpass the success of its predecessor.
Looking ahead, Insomniac is set to release a new Marvel-based game, Wolverine, scheduled for a 2025 launch on PlayStation 5/PS5 Pro. Fans eagerly anticipate more updates, which may be revealed during the upcoming Game Awards.