A cool Easter egg in Spider-Man 2 is reminiscent of indie games

Someone at Insomniac really loves hardcore mobile gaming

• by
  
  Chris Plant
  

• on October 19, 2023 at 2:30 pm

If you put books, games, or DVD boxes inside your video game, I will examine each one of them. This and video game pools are my picadillo and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t judge me.

Using photo mode to take a close-up look at a bookshelf or a cluttered desk usually reveals the work of a games writer or an overworked employee who needs to fill out a spreadsheet before heading out for the weekend. Books like “Biology: Science” and movies like “Bad War 3.” As a writer who is very familiar with deadlines and creative barriers, I love it.

Image: Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment via Polygon

But I cherish it when a writer or other team member — hopefully at a studio with the funds to afford this degree of detail — uses these overlooked bits of clothing to fit something of their own. Someone working on Spider-Man 2 I did just that.

Early in the game, we get a look at Peter Parker’s house, which he inherited from Aunt May. Besides the messy kitchen and laughably marked mortgage bill, the player can find on Peter’s table a copy of the video game: Nonagon speed.

Image: Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment via Polygon

The fantasy game appears to be a warm nod to indie developer Terry Kavanagh’s masterpiece, Super hexagon – As much as you can You can purchase on Steam, iOS, and Android for just $2.99. Besides the similar title, both games share an almost identical font in capital letters. And a safety vest with an orange hood Nonagon speed Looks like Super hexagon‘s.

Nonagon speed It was first mentioned in Spider-Man: Miles Morales As a game Miles’ friend Jinki develops on the side. (Thanks to commenter Narcissus1916 for the heads up!) Congratulations to Genke on shipping at least one copy.

It’s a small thing, but it’s part of something bigger: small details like this remind us that games are human-made and part of continuity, each piece of art building on what came before it. Plus, I feel vindicated because I spent so much time looking at video game boxes, which doesn’t hurt.

to update: discussion Nonagon speed in Spider-Man: Miles Morales Added for context.

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