Highlights

  • The Sandman boss fight in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 was challenging to create due to Spider-Man's speed.
  • Insomniac used "focus tracking" to make Sandman more formidable, keeping the fight fair and fast-paced for players on PS5.
  • The Sandman fight is a crucial moment in the game, showcasing the power of the PS5 and acting as a teaching moment for new players.

The developers of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 revealed that they struggled to get the Sandman boss fight right due to how fast Spider-Man is. During this year's Game Developers Conference (GDC), associate animation director for Insomniac Stephen Camardella revealed that it was incredibly hard to get the pacing of the fight against Sandman in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 just right. Camardella states that due to Spider-Man's speed, it was a challenge to make sure the fight was fair and fun.

Players are matched up against Sandman very early in the game, making for an incredible introduction to Marvel's Spider-Man 2. The fight challenges them with several large attacks from Sandman. Players will initially feel powerless against the towering Sandman until the option of using a Web Strike against him becomes available. In order to beat Sandman, players will have to be patient and alert.

spider-man with spidey sense
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The discussion arose during a talk about all of the animation work that is involved in Marvel's Spider-Man 2. According to TheGamer, Camardella stated during the discussion that Sandman and Spider-Man are fundamentally different in their action and movements, with Peter Parker being a quick and nimble hero and Sandman being a hulking and sluggish figure. This was a major problem that had to be addressed in the animation itself, with Camardella stating they did not want to allow Spider-Man to "swing circles around" Sandman.

How Insomniac Solved The Sandman Problem

In order to address these concerns, the Insomniac team of developers and animators used a technique called "focus tracking," meaning Sandman readjusts his attacks mid-swing to better target the player. Instead of committing to one animation all the way through, Sandman is able to target the player during the actual swing, meaning players must think quickly and doge when necessary. A successful dodge essentially turns off this motion tracking, allowing the player to avoid damage. This solution allows Sandman to feel slow and powerful without turning the fight into an easy win for players. This is represented on screen as a near-miss, allowing the fight to still feel fair and fast-paced.

The GDC panel included other Insomniac team members, such as associate animation directors Lindsay Thompson and Bradley McLaughlin. Alongside senior animation director Robert Coddingham, the panel revealed that the fight against Sandman was settled very early in development and was always an important part of Marvel's Spider-Man 2. The team stated that the Sandman fight was meant to show off the "power of the PS5," with Spider-Man being hurled throughout the air high above New York City. Fast traveling in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 also shows off the power of the PS5, allowing players to quickly get from one end of the city to the other. The Sandman fight is not only a crucial moment in the story of Marvel's Spider-Man 2, but it also acts as a teaching moment for new and returning players.