Key Highlights:
- Insomniac’s Bryan Intihar believes Peter Parker and Miles Morales connect with players because they face ordinary problems.
- The creative director contrasts Spider-Man with superheroes such as Tony Stark and Thor, whose wealth and powers make them harder to identify with.
- Peter’s career struggles, Miles’ education and their personal relationships help shape the storytelling in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
Bryan Intihar believes Peter Parker and Miles Morales are relatable because their everyday struggles matter just as much as their superhero abilities. The creative director of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 says Insomniac Games focuses on grief, growing up and personal relationships to help players connect with both characters.
Speaking to the BBC in an interview about Spider-Man 2, Intihar explained why Peter and Miles stand apart from some of Marvel’s other superheroes.
“I love Tony Stark, but it’s hard to identify with a billionaire, right?” Intihar said.
He made a similar comparison with Thor, arguing that identifying with a god is considerably harder than understanding the challenges faced by two ordinary young men.
That philosophy carries directly into the sequel. Peter is trying to establish a stable career while maintaining his relationship with Mary Jane Watson and reconnecting with his childhood friend Harry Osborn. Miles, meanwhile, is preparing his college application while navigating his responsibilities as Spider-Man.
These personal circumstances give the characters problems that cannot simply be solved through superhuman strength or another successful fight.
Intihar also discussed this approach in an October 18 NME interview, explaining that making players care about Peter and Miles outside their costumes strengthens the emotional impact of their superhero adventures.
What stands out to me is how Insomniac uses ordinary responsibilities to create tension alongside the larger threats. Saving New York might be Peter and Miles’ most visible job, but finding employment, preparing for college and maintaining friendships are challenges players can recognise from their own lives.
The importance of those relationships was already established in the Spider-Man 2 prequel comic, which explores the characters’ circumstances before the sequel begins.
Insomniac’s approach is also reflected in its decision to feature Peter and Miles as equal protagonists. Their powers and experiences differ, but both must balance personal responsibilities with protecting New York.
For Intihar, that balance is what makes Spider-Man compelling. Peter and Miles may possess extraordinary abilities, but the people beneath the masks remain central to their appeal.
