Sorry Xbox And PC, Spider-Man On 'Marvel's Avengers' Is Exclusive To PlayStation

Sony and Crystal Dynamics announced Monday that when Spider-Man joins his fellow Avengers in “Marvel’s Avengers” in September, he will do so exclusively on PlayStation 4.

That’s right, no wall-crawler appearance on either the Xbox or the PC iteration of the team starring Marvel’s premiere superhero team.

Jeff Adams, Associate Art Director at Crystal Dynamics, broke the news in a PlayStation Blog post highlighting his love for all things Marvel Comics, particularly Spider-Man.

“Watching Spider-Man adapt to new surroundings was such a great contrast to his status quo. That tone is exactly what we want to capture for him in Marvel’s Avengers. A familiar but fresh Spider-Man who needs to evolve to take on global threats alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” Adams wrote.

Adams’ desire for Spider-Man in “Marvel’s Avengers” is to make him feel as genuine as he did in his own comics, movies, and video games. This means not making Peter Parker too powerful, too rigid, or too heavy as far as movement and web-slinging goes.

“When he’s arcing through the air on his web line, we want you to feel graceful and light, and be able to utilize a variety of web configurations and gadgets to enhance your traversal,” said Adams. “Spider-Man’s impressive acrobatic abilities will complement the experience, allowing you to seamlessly transition from navigation to combat.”

Adams discussed Crystal Dynamics’ Lead Combat Designer Vince Napoli as someone who has been hard at work in making sure that Spider-Man moves and fights like he should in the game while making the character just as dynamic as he is in the comics.

“Just like our other heroes, you’ll get to use the unique skill trees Vince and his team have designed to specialize how your Spider-Man plays in our world. An impressive suite of iconic abilities and attacks will be at your disposal, and you get to decide which gadgets and skills you wish to upgrade,” Adams added.

Adams described how teaming Spider-Man with his fellow Avengers will unlock a whole new dimension to the game. By having Parker side by side with Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Ms. Marvel, Spider-Man’s powers will be boosted in unique ways.

“Partnering with the Avengers gives Spider-Man complete access to the impressive technology available to the team, such as custom web shooter-based technology from Hank Pym, S.H.I.E.L.D., Stark Industries, and more.,” he said. “And by constructing the perfect gear and skills combinations, you’ll get the chance to live your superhero dreams through your ideal Spider-Man.”

In what is sure to excite hardcore Spider-Man fans, Adams also discussed the look of Spider-Man in “Marvel’s Avengers” as taking inspiration from two of the artists who were there either at the hero’s birth or defined his look for generations.

“Steve Ditko set the standard with his Spider-Man design, and John Romita Sr. evolved it into an icon recognized the world over. Fans can expect to see Ditko and Romita’s influence in our take on the hero, with nods to other talented artists that have defined the character’s look over his long history,” Adams noted on the PlayStation blog.

Putting it plainly, Sony and Crystal Dynamics delivered a gut punch to the PC and Xbox crowd by keeping the wall-crawler out of their versions of the game.