In September, Spider-Man fans were treated to news that Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 for PS5 is in development. In the meantime, fans have been enjoying Spider-Man: Miles Morales, which released in 2020. Developed by Insomniac Games, it builds on the story of 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man, sharing some of its gameplay and design choices. Spider-Man’s home of New York is featured as the prominent setting of the sequel, too. However, in Spider-Man: Miles Morales, some fans have noticed an important landmark missing from the city, and they are hoping that it will be fixed when Spider-Man 2 releases.
Posting to the /r/SpidermanPS4 community on Reddit, a user named ZangetsuSlay found support from Spider-Man fans after pointing out how the Chrysler Building was missing from the latest game, requesting its return in 2023’s Spider-Man 2. The building had appeared in the previous Spider-Man game, as well as other Marvel content, which is no surprise given how iconic it is to the real New York skyline. In the latest game, though, it was replaced with a generic, boxy skyscraper.
The Chrysler Building was developed in the 1920s as part of New York’s building boom. Designed by architect William Van Alen, it was completed in 1930, claiming the title of the world’s tallest building for a year before being surpassed by the Empire State Building. Located on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, it’s little wonder that Spider-Man fans want to see the prominent structure return in Spider-Man’s upcoming PS5 title. Indeed, in the film Spider-Man (2002), Peter Parker sits upon one of the iconic decorative eagle structures on the 61st floor, which juts out of the building like a floating platform. It’s an important location that he has visited many times, and one fans will surely want to visit themselves.
For some, it’s hard to accept that the building is absent from the game, with fans reacting with annoyance to the issue on Reddit.
[…] you’re right it’s such an iconic building to the New York skyline and feels weird not to have it, it was also my go to spot when playing with the Raimi suit.
WHAT? The Chrysler building isn’t in Miles Morales? How can that be a thing? I would have thought that it’s a requirement to actually adhere to landmarks if you’re going to claim a place is somewhere as famous as New York.
Unfortunately, the iconic nature of the Chrysler Building is exactly why it is hard to include it in the game. Insomniac was unable to secure the rights to the likeness of the Chrysler Building, which is protected under copyright as an architectural work. Previous negotiations allowed Insomniac to use the building in the 2018 Spider-Man game. However, in 2019, ownership of the building changed hands, as it was co-purchased by SIGNA Group and RFR Holding LLC. This effectively voided the former agreement, and it seems Insomniac was unable to negotiate new terms. It is unclear whether Insomniac has been able to secure an agreement since then.
The idea that future Spider-Man games won’t include the Chrysler Building seems absurd, but if developers can’t secure the rights to use its likeness, then it remains a possibility. Fortunately, the ultimate edition of Spider-Man: Miles Morales comes with a remastered version of Spider-Man for PS5, which includes the Chrysler Building. For now, Spider-Man fans will just have to make do.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is scheduled to release in 2023 on PS5.
Source: Game Informer
