Fans have taken to social media to vent their surprise and frustration after Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 failed to net a single win at The Game Awards 2023, despite being nominated in seven categories.
Spider-Man 2 launched on October 20 to a warm critical and fan reception and was subsequently nominated for Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Audio Design, Best Performance, Innovation in Accessibility, and Best Action/Adventure Game, as well as the Player’s Voice Award at The Game Awards.
Unfortunately for Insomniac, 2023 was packed with fierce competition such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Alan Wake 2, and Baldur’s Gate 3, and Spider-Man 2 was edged out of all seven award catagories as a result.
Spider-Man 2 with every nomination pic.twitter.com/byU0h3MrWS
— chi ❀ (@chisdome) December 8, 2023
“how many awards did spider-man 2 win?” pic.twitter.com/3BiNB3tniA
— J (@fl4me_on) December 8, 2023
This is weird, not even 1 award 😐
— Rosario Hepburn (@RosarioHepburn) December 8, 2023
Y’all was robbed of everything
— Daniel Morris (@MorrisAlmighty2) December 8, 2023
Gonna go full Bully Maguire actually https://t.co/LSFKwV5TW7 pic.twitter.com/7sglvLB073
— Amber ⭕✨ (@reysokas) December 8, 2023
You guys deserved at least 1 W tho 😭
— Drew Keys (@realdrewkeys) December 8, 2023
They need a best Spider-Man game category at the game awards. pic.twitter.com/KGMHUEVczY
— Ben – PleaseBeXcited (@PleaseBexcited) December 8, 2023
Others were more pragmatic about the lack of awards, with many citing the slew of high quality games released throughout 2023 as the reasoning behind the judging decisions. “It makes sense,” wrote Redditor tylernazario. “The gameplay was an improvement from the first but the story was a step down in terms of quality and length. Plus this year was stacked with lots of great games”.
It was a tough year. Great game, but you are going head to head against games like Baldur’s Gate (game of the decade?)
— Tech Guy Beau (@TechGuyBeau) December 8, 2023
You can’t beat sex with a bear, sorry. Maybe Spiderman 3 can have Peter and Venom do some action.
— Lunas Ra (@lunas_ra) December 8, 2023
Insomniac reacted with grace and was quick to thank fans and congratulate the winners of this year’s awards. “A major thank you to everyone who nominated Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 in several categories at The Game Awards this year” it said on X/Twitter. “It’s an honour to have had your support. Congrats to all the winners and nominees. You all deserved it.”
A major thank you to everyone who nominated Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 in several categories at @TheGameAwards this year! It’s an honor to have had your support.❤️
Congrats to all the winners and nominees – you all deserve it! #BeGreaterTogether #SpiderMan2PS5 pic.twitter.com/LT4D4sVzlS
— Insomniac Games (@insomniacgames) December 8, 2023
Congrats to all of this years winners and nominees. And thanks to all the gamers out there for continuing to support these projects and to all the devs who continue to inspire us through your work. https://t.co/YIy4R7uZfM
— Bryan Intihar (@bryanintihar) December 8, 2023
Thank you. I love you guys so much ❤️
— Yuri MaybeStillStrikingthal (@YuriLowenthal) December 8, 2023
The story mirrors the results of the 2018 awards show, which saw the first title in Insomniac’s Spider-Man series edged out by the likes of Red Dead Redemption 2 and God of War after also being nominated in seven catagories.
In IGN’s 8/10 review of the latest, we said that “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 delivers Insomniac’s best tale yet, and despite its open world falling short, is a reliably fun superhero power trip”. For more insights into the development of Spider-Man 2 be sure to check out the IGN Roundtable discussion between Remedy Entertainment’s creative director Sam Lake, and Insomniac’s senior narrative director John McAdam.
Of course The Game Awards isn’t all about, well, awards. It’s also about juicy game reveals. This year saw the unveiling of Hideo Kojima’s brand new horror IP Overdose, along with God of War DLC, a new Blade title from Arkane Studios, and a host of other titles. Stick with IGN to catch up on all of the winners, and every game announced during The Game Awards 2023.
Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer