Insomniac Games faces online backlash over Marvel’s Wolverine

Insomniac Games is facing significant online backlash and criticism ahead of the September 15, 2026, release of Marvel’s Wolverine on PlayStation 5. The studio’s community and marketing director, James Stevenson, described the situation as a “relentless onslaught” of negativity, noting that social media algorithms often amplify hostile comments, which can negatively impact the mental health of developers.

Critics on social media have targeted the game’s combat and visuals, with some comparing gameplay footage to older PlayStation 2-era titles. This hostility is compounded by broader consumer dissatisfaction with Sony’s decision to phase out physical disc production for new PlayStation titles by January 2028, a move that has sparked intense debate regarding consumer ownership and choice.

Despite the controversy, Sony is moving forward with its “It Happens on PS5” global marketing campaign, which features Marvel’s Wolverine as a centerpiece. To build anticipation, PlayStation has also announced limited edition hardware, including a “Battle Yellow” PS5 Digital Edition bundle and various Adamantium-themed accessories. Technically, Insomniac has confirmed that the game will feature a performance mode capable of running at 60 FPS with ray tracing enabled as a standard setting.