Insomniac Games is one of the most influential video game developers in the world. Known for creating some of the most iconic titles in gaming history, many fans often wonder—who owns Insomniac Games today? This article explores the company’s journey, ownership, leadership, financial details, and its place within the broader gaming industry.
Insomniac Games Profile
Insomniac Games is a California‑based video game development studio headquartered in Burbank. Its founding team includes Ted Price, Alex Hastings, and Brian Hastings. Price had a dream of working in video games since playing Atari 2600 as a child. After forming the company in 1994, Alex Hastings joined in June, followed shortly by his brother Brian Hastings.
The studio quickly launched its first game, Disruptor, a first‑person shooter in 1996. But real fame came in 1998 with Spyro the Dragon on PlayStation, which established the studio as a force in the industry.
As of mid‑2025, Insomniac has grown significantly. Platforms like Tracxn report the company as having expanded well beyond the employee count of earlier years, remaining fully owned by Sony and operating as part of PlayStation Studios. The studio faces stiff competition from Epic Games, Riot Games, and Krafton, among others.
Internally, leadership now rests with a triad: Chad Dezern (creative), Jen Huang (finance), and Ryan Schneider (strategy), all long‑time Insomniac executives.
Founders of Insomniac Games
Insomniac Games was founded in 1994 by Ted Price, who remains one of the most influential figures in the gaming industry. Price started the company with a vision of building innovative, character-driven games for console audiences. He initially named the studio Xtreme Software, but later changed it to Insomniac Games in 1995 to reflect the long working hours and passion the team had during its early days.
Shortly after founding the company, Ted Price brought on Alex Hastings as the lead programmer. His brother, Brian Hastings, joined soon after as the chief creative officer. The trio formed the original leadership team that would go on to define the studio’s culture and creative output for the next two decades.
Ted Price served as CEO from its founding until his retirement in March 2025. Under his leadership, the company released hit titles like Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet & Clank, Resistance, and the Spider-Man series. His steady leadership was instrumental in maintaining the studio’s independence for 25 years before its acquisition by Sony.
Alex and Brian Hastings also played major roles in shaping Insomniac’s early technical and creative direction. Brian Hastings stepped away from day-to-day responsibilities years ago but is still credited with co-creating several of the company’s core franchises.
Together, the founders helped build Insomniac into one of the most respected development studios in the world, known for its innovation, storytelling, and player-first approach.
Major Milestones
Over thirty years, Insomniac has achieved numerous milestones.
- 1996: Debut of Disruptor.
- 1998: Release of Spyro the Dragon, leading to a major trilogy.
- Early 2000s: The studio created Ratchet & Clank and later the Resistance series.
- 2014: Released Sunset Overdrive while still independent.
- 2019: Sony Interactive Entertainment acquired Insomniac for $229 million on August 19, 2019.
- 2023: Marvel’s Spider‑Man 2 launched on October 20, 2023, on PS5 and on January 30, 2025, on Windows.
- Late 2023: A major ransomware attack leaked multiple internal assets, including future roadmap plans extending to 2030 and beyond.
- Early 2025: Founder Ted Price retired at the end of March 2025 after over 30 years; studio leadership transitioned to Chad Dezern, Ryan Schneider, and Jen Huang as co‑studio heads.
Who Owns Insomniac Games?
Insomniac Games is wholly owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), a division of Sony Group Corporation. The company became a first-party studio under the PlayStation Studios umbrella following a strategic acquisition in 2019. Before that, Insomniac operated as an independent developer for 25 years, though it maintained a long-standing exclusive relationship with Sony for most of its major franchises.
Parent Company: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Sony Interactive Entertainment, headquartered in San Mateo, California, is the parent company of Insomniac Games. It oversees PlayStation hardware and software development globally. As part of PlayStation Studios, Insomniac now works alongside other major game developers like Naughty Dog, Santa Monica Studio, Guerrilla Games, and Bend Studio.
This parent-subsidiary relationship allows Insomniac to benefit from Sony’s vast financial resources, technical infrastructure, global marketing network, and development support. In return, Sony gains full access to Insomniac’s creative talent and exclusive content.
Acquisition by Sony
Sony officially acquired Insomniac Games on August 19, 2019, for $229 million in cash. The deal was confirmed after the tremendous success of Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018), which sold over 13 million copies by mid-2019. The acquisition marked one of Sony’s most strategic moves, securing full control over one of its most valuable partners.
At the time of the acquisition, the $229 million valuation was considered conservative, given the studio’s track record and revenue-generating IPs. Sony saw long-term value in Insomniac’s consistent ability to develop high-quality, exclusive titles that could drive console sales and ecosystem engagement.
Integration Into PlayStation Studios
Following the acquisition, Insomniac Games was fully integrated into the PlayStation Studios lineup. This allowed Insomniac to maintain creative freedom while aligning more closely with Sony’s overall console and content strategy. The studio continues to operate from its headquarters in Burbank, California, but now follows a centralized roadmap and release cycle in sync with other PlayStation-owned developers.
The transition was smooth due to the longstanding partnership between the companies. Even prior to the acquisition, Insomniac had already developed multiple PlayStation-exclusive franchises, including Ratchet & Clank and Resistance. Sony’s ownership simply formalized what had been a deeply collaborative relationship.
Ownership Structure and Control
Sony Interactive Entertainment owns 100% of Insomniac Games. There are no minority shareholders, no dual ownership, and no joint ventures. All assets, including intellectual property like Marvel’s Spider-Man, Ratchet & Clank, and future unannounced titles, are now under Sony’s direct control or co-owned where applicable (e.g., in partnership with Marvel).
Ted Price, who remained as CEO post-acquisition until early 2025, helped guide the studio through its transition into Sony’s corporate structure. As of mid-2025, leadership has transitioned to a three-person team, but the studio remains deeply embedded in Sony’s development ecosystem.
Who is the CEO of Insomniac Games?
Effective April 2025, leadership of Insomniac shifts from a single CEO to a shared leadership model. The role traditionally filled by the CEO is now fulfilled collectively by three long-time Insomniac executives, titled Co‑Studio Heads.
Chad Dezern: Co‑Studio Head, Creative Lead
Chad joined Insomniac in 1998 as an environment artist and rose through roles including art director and studio director before becoming head of creative in 2017. As co-studio head, he oversees overall creative direction, narrative design, and the artistic quality of every project.
Ryan Schneider: Co‑Studio Head, Strategy & Brand
Ryan’s tenure began in the PlayStation 2 era, initially shaping community and communications. He later led franchise strategy, studio relations, and brand and leadership strategy. In his co-studio head role, he coordinates strategy, external messaging, and ensures consistency across brand, culture, and project alignment.
Jen Huang: Co‑Studio Head, Finance & Operations
Jen brought financial and operational leadership to Insomniac as CFO for over eight years. Her oversight includes budgeting, resource planning, partnerships, and operations. Now, as co‑studio head, she leads all financial and operational strategy across the studio.
Shared Decision‑Making Model
The new triad governance model distributes responsibilities across three complementary domains:
- Creative vision and quality (Dezern)
- Strategic alignment and culture (Schneider)
- Financial and operational oversight (Huang)
This model ensures that leadership remains deeply rooted in studio culture while enabling specialization in key areas. Price described these three as instrumental to Insomniac’s identity, highlighting their proven collaboration, transparency, and alignment with the studio’s future vision.
Past CEO and Succession Rationale
Until the end of March 2025, Ted Price was the founding CEO and sole leader guiding Insomniac’s direction, values, and creative output. His retirement marks the first leadership change in the company’s history.
The new structure reflects careful succession planning carried out throughout 2024 in concert with senior leadership. It was designed to maintain stability and continuity while evolving Insomniac’s decision-making into a more modern, diversified format.
Insomniac Games Annual Revenue and Net Worth
In 2025, Insomniac Games is generating strong revenue in the vicinity of $120 million–$150 million, driven by blockbuster franchises and digital sales. Its estimated net worth—based on external valuation tools—is around $57 million, though this figure likely understates its strategic value to Sony.
Insomniac Games Annual Revenue
Insomniac Games remains a privately held subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment and does not publish standalone financial statements. However, industry estimates place its annual revenue in the range of $100 million to $200 million as of mid‑2025.
These estimates reflect strong ongoing sales from runaway hits like Marvel’s Spider‑Man 2, which sold over 5 million copies in its first ten days and topped 11 million units by April 2024. Such performance contributes significantly to Insomniac’s earnings, especially given high-margin digital sales on PlayStation and PC platforms. Overall, analysts see year‑on‑year revenue growth in the high single digits due to continued momentum from major franchises.
Revenue per employee, based on earlier public estimates, also supports a mid-hundreds-million-dollar annual figure when multiplied across Insomniac’s 400–500 staff as recorded in recent company data.
Net Worth (Valuation) in 2025
Though Insomniac Games is not publicly traded, valuation models and private market platforms estimate its net worth at approximately $57 million to $60 million in July 2025. This estimated net worth reflects earned profits, intellectual property holdings, and perceived brand strength. Public valuation trackers suggest growth from roughly $51 million in 2024 to about $57 million in 2025—a steady upward trend that aligns with strong sales and franchise expansion.
It is important to note that this net worth is a notional valuation—based on online algorithmic methods rather than formal appraisals—and may understate the strategic value Sony places on high-profile studio assets like Insomniac.
Here is the revenue and estimated net worth of Insomniac Games covering the last 10 years (2016–2025):
| Year | Estimated Revenue (USD) | Estimated Net Worth (USD) | Notable Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $130 million | $57 million | Spider-Man 2 PC release, Ted Price retires |
| 2024 | $125 million | $51 million | Strong sales from Spider-Man 2 on PS5 |
| 2023 | $115 million | $48 million | Spider-Man 2 launches October 2023 |
| 2022 | $105 million | $45 million | Spider-Man: Miles Morales continues strong sales |
| 2021 | $95 million | $42 million | Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart boosts revenue |
| 2020 | $85 million | $39 million | Spider-Man: Miles Morales launches on PS5 |
| 2019 | $75 million | $35 million | Acquired by Sony for $229 million |
| 2018 | $65 million | $28 million | Marvel’s Spider-Man becomes a best-seller |
| 2017 | $50 million | $23 million | Ongoing Ratchet & Clank IP revenue |
| 2016 | $45 million | $20 million | Moderate revenue from smaller titles |
Profitability and Industry Context
Insomniac’s profitability benefits from both ownership by Sony and its focus on flagship series like Spider‑Man and Ratchet & Clank. Budgets for recent projects have grown significantly—internal documents estimate Spider‑Man 2 cost around $315 million, with projected lifetime revenue exceeding $1 billion when including digital sales and ports. That strong ROI further increases perceived value.
Operating profit margins are enhanced by leveraging PlayStation’s global distribution and marketing infrastructure. As part of Sony’s Game & Network Services division, Insomniac’s success contributes to a gaming segment that recorded over ¥4.67 trillion (approximately $31.7 billion) in revenue in fiscal 2024–25 and generated around ¥414.8 billion (approx. $2.8 billion) in operating profit.
List of Major Insomniac Games
Below is a list of the games made by Insomniac Games as of July 2025:
| Game Title | Release Year | Platform(s) | Genre | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spyro the Dragon | 1998 | PlayStation | 3D Platformer | First major hit; began Insomniac’s rise in the industry |
| Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! | 1999 | PlayStation | 3D Platformer | Expanded mechanics and storytelling |
| Spyro: Year of the Dragon | 2000 | PlayStation | 3D Platformer | Final Spyro game developed by Insomniac |
| Ratchet & Clank | 2002 | PlayStation 2 | Action-Platformer | Launched iconic franchise with weapons-based gameplay |
| Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando | 2003 | PlayStation 2 | Action-Platformer | Added RPG elements and weapon upgrades |
| Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal | 2004 | PlayStation 2 | Action-Platformer | Introduced multiplayer mode |
| Resistance: Fall of Man | 2006 | PlayStation 3 | First-Person Shooter | PS3 launch title; alternate-history storyline |
| Resistance 2 | 2008 | PlayStation 3 | First-Person Shooter | Focused on online multiplayer and co-op |
| Resistance 3 | 2011 | PlayStation 3 | First-Person Shooter | Concluded Resistance storyline |
| Ratchet & Clank Future Series | 2007–2013 | PlayStation 3 | Action-Platformer | Several titles expanding the Ratchet lore |
| Outernauts | 2012 | Facebook, iOS | Social RPG | First move into social/mobile gaming |
| Fuse | 2013 | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | Third-Person Shooter | Co-op based, sci-fi action; received mixed reviews |
| Sunset Overdrive | 2014 | Xbox One, Windows | Open-World Shooter | Known for its fast-paced traversal and vibrant visuals |
| Song of the Deep | 2016 | PS4, Xbox One, PC | Metroidvania Adventure | Smaller passion project, focused on exploration |
| Edge of Nowhere | 2016 | Oculus Rift | VR Horror/Adventure | One of Insomniac’s first VR-exclusive titles |
| The Unspoken | 2016 | Oculus Rift | VR Magic Fighting Game | Magic duels in urban environments, VR focused |
| Feral Rites | 2016 | Oculus Rift | VR Action-Brawler | Set in a mystical jungle; lesser-known VR entry |
| Marvel’s Spider-Man | 2018 | PS4 | Open-World Action | Massive critical and commercial success; exclusive to PlayStation |
| Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales | 2020 | PS4, PS5 | Open-World Action | Standalone expansion with new playable hero |
| Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | 2021 | PlayStation 5 | Action-Platformer | Technological showcase for PS5; highly acclaimed |
| Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 | 2023 | PlayStation 5 | Open-World Action | Featured both Peter Parker and Miles Morales; built on dual protagonist system |
Spyro the Dragon Trilogy (1998–2000)
Insomniac made its breakthrough with the Spyro the Dragon series for the original PlayStation. The trilogy included:
- Spyro the Dragon (1998)
- Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! (1999)
- Spyro: Year of the Dragon (2000)
These platformers became iconic during the early PlayStation era. Although the IP later moved to other developers, this trilogy solidified Insomniac’s reputation for colorful, character-driven games.
Ratchet & Clank Series (2002–Present)
A flagship franchise for Insomniac, Ratchet & Clank became a cornerstone of PlayStation exclusives. Known for its mix of action, platforming, and humor, the series includes:
- Ratchet & Clank (2002)
- Going Commando, Up Your Arsenal, Tools of Destruction, and more
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (2021) – a critically acclaimed PS5 exclusive
The series remains one of Sony’s best-selling and most enduring platformers.
Resistance Trilogy (2006–2011)
Resistance: Fall of Man was a PS3 launch title and marked Insomniac’s first step into mature, story-heavy shooters. The trilogy includes:
- Resistance: Fall of Man (2006)
- Resistance 2 (2008)
- Resistance 3 (2011)
Set in an alternate 1950s Earth overrun by alien forces, these games showcased Insomniac’s capability with darker themes and large-scale FPS gameplay.
Sunset Overdrive (2014)
Released exclusively for Xbox One, Sunset Overdrive was a bold and colorful open-world shooter. It featured fast traversal, stylish combat, and a tongue-in-cheek tone. It was praised for its originality and remains one of Insomniac’s most unique IPs.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Series (2018–Present)
Insomniac became globally recognized for its work with Marvel’s Spider-Man games for PlayStation. These include:
- Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018) – praised for its story, visuals, and traversal mechanics
- Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020) – standalone spin-off
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (2023) – expanded the universe with Peter and Miles
These titles have become flagship exclusives for the PlayStation 4 and 5 and played a key role in boosting Insomniac’s global popularity.
Song of the Deep (2016)
This was a smaller-scale underwater Metroidvania-style game, blending exploration and narrative. It was published under GameStop’s short-lived publishing arm and served as a passion project from the studio.
VR and Experimental Projects
Insomniac has also explored VR with titles like:
- Edge of Nowhere (Oculus Rift)
- The Unspoken (magic-based combat)
- Feral Rites (action-brawler)
Though not mainstream hits, these projects highlight Insomniac’s willingness to innovate.
Outernauts (2012–2016)
A social RPG created for Facebook and later iOS, Outernauts was one of the few Insomniac projects aimed at the mobile and casual gaming market. It represented a brief venture into non-console platforms.
Brands Owned by Insomniac Games
Insomniac Games operates as a single, wholly–owned studio entity without any acquisitions or subsidiaries under its control. It has launched a handful of side projects, such as Outernauts and developed internal prototypes under names like Seedling and Strangelets, but these remain fully within the corporate structure of Insomniac Games, Inc.
Below is a list of major brands and sub-brands owned by Insomniac Games as of July 2025:
| Name | Type | Status (2025) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outernauts | Game/IP | Discontinued | A Facebook and iOS-based RPG launched in 2012; represented Insomniac’s early move beyond console. |
| Seedling | Internal Prototype | Experimental/Inactive | An AR-based Magic Leap project created for platform exploration; not commercially released. |
| Strangelets | Internal Prototype | Experimental/Inactive | Another AR prototype tied to Magic Leap; focused on environmental storytelling in mixed reality. |
| Insomniac Games, Inc. | Corporate Entity | Active | The official corporate and legal identity of the studio; operates all projects and IP internally. |
Outernauts
Outernauts was the first major side‑project developed and published by Insomniac Games in 2012. It was a social role‑playing game launched on Facebook and later ported to iOS. While the title has since been discontinued, it marked a rare venture by Insomniac into non‑Sony platforms and reflected internal ambition to explore new genres and business models. Though no longer live, Outernauts remains a property created and operated directly by the studio.
Sprite & Spin‑Off IP (e.g., Seedling, Strangelets)
Insomniac has developed smaller original titles and prototypes under internal branding, including experimental apps and short‑form games like Seedling and Strangelets. These brands operate under Insomniac’s umbrella and demonstrate the studio’s in‑house invention capability beyond its main franchises. Though not live commercial brands in 2025, they represent Insomniac’s internal development efforts toward AR or platform experimentation independent of external publishing.
Corporate Entity: Insomniac Games, Inc.
As of 2025, Insomniac Games, Inc. remains a single legal entity owned by Sony but self‑operated. There are no subsidiary companies or separate legal brands beneath it. The studio’s operations in Burbank, California and Durham, North Carolina run under this entity. All branded game products, IP, internal experiments, and corporate operations are managed through this one corporate structure. There are no acquisitions, mergers, or internal subsidiaries that Insomniac itself owns.
Insomniac Internal Brands and Prototypes
Within the studio, internal prototypes are internally codenamed as brands and used for experimentation and creative labs. Examples include Seedling, a Magic Leap AR play experience, and Strangelets, also AR‑based. These remain internal initiatives and have not been spun out as separate legal entities or acquired ventures.
Final Thoughts
Insomniac Games has grown from a small independent developer into one of the crown jewels of Sony’s gaming empire. Now fully owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment, the studio continues to thrive under the leadership of Ted Price. With a legacy of innovation and beloved franchises, Insomniac is likely to remain a key player in the future of PlayStation.
Understanding who owns Insomniac Games helps fans appreciate the strategic moves behind the games they love. Sony’s acquisition ensured that Insomniac’s talent and creativity remain tightly connected to the PlayStation brand.
FAQs
Is Insomniac Games owned by Sony?
Yes, Insomniac Games is owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Sony acquired the studio in 2019 for approximately $229 million. Since then, Insomniac operates as a wholly owned first-party studio under the PlayStation Studios division. It is one of the core developers behind Sony’s exclusive AAA lineup for the PlayStation 5.
Does Disney own Insomniac Games?
No, Disney does not own Insomniac Games. The studio is fully owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment. However, Insomniac has worked with Disney-related IPs—particularly Marvel, which is owned by Disney. The Marvel’s Spider-Man games are licensed by Marvel Games, but the development and publishing are handled by Insomniac and Sony, respectively.
Who currently owns Insomniac Games?
Insomniac Games is fully owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment, a division of Sony Group Corporation.
When did Sony acquire Insomniac Games?
Sony acquired Insomniac in August 2019 for $229 million.
Does Insomniac Games operate independently?
While it is owned by Sony, Insomniac maintains creative autonomy under the PlayStation Studios brand.
Is Insomniac only making Spider-Man games now?
No, Insomniac also develops other franchises like Ratchet & Clank and is expected to work on new IPs in the future.