Spider-Man 2 patch brings back Nelson and Murdock sign: “Guess they paid their rent”
A fan-favorite Easter egg from Insomniac’s Spider-Man series is back where it belongs after a recent patch for Spider-Man 2. The real question is why it disappeared in the first place.
On day one, players may remember that the first game featured a plaque for Nelson and Murdock’s law offices near Josie’s Bar, a landmark in Hell’s Kitchen that appears frequently in the Daredevil comics. But after starting Spider-Man 2, players quickly discovered that a plaque with no text was left in its place, which we assumed meant Nelson and Murdock had moved out.
Last month, we spoke with Bryam Intihar, senior creative director at Insomniac Games, on a Spoilercast episode of Beyond, in which the Insomniac exec was coy when we initially pressed him about removing the Easter egg.
“That’s a good question,” Intihar said. “Stay tuned. But a good find.”
I guess they paid their rent… https://t.co/SzXFEXWaqZ
— Bryan Intihar (@bryanintihar) November 2, 2023
Now the sign is back as if nothing had happened.
“I guess they paid their rent,” Intihar wrote in response to a tweet from IGN announcing the return of the Easter egg.
“This is villain-level teasing,” one fan responded to Intihar on Twitter/X. And we don’t disagree.
IGN has reached out to Sony for comment. But in the meantime, it looks like this is the biggest confirmation we’ll get that Insomniac has something Daredevil-related in the works.
This is villain-level teasing @bryanintihar pic.twitter.com/8j1t1fce1e
– Mr. Casual (@CasualAvenger) November 2, 2023
While other superheroes have been alluded to throughout the Spider-Man games (Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and The Fantastic Four, to name a few), it seems like Insomniac has increased the references to the blind hero. IGN’s gameplay editors previously discovered a strange Easter egg while exploring the Upper West Side District, which they believe could be another secret reference to the Daredevil franchise.
A garage door marked with a red symbol in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 may seem harmless to players at first glance, but a look through the windows would reveal a villain’s lair full of weapons, swords and skulls. Fans are speculating that the hidden room could belong to The Hand, an ancient group of ninjas who frequently battle Daredevil.
Screenrant found even more references to Daredevil in the first Spider-Man game, such as a Daily Bugle article with Ben Urich’s name in the byline. Urich is a recurring character in both the Spider-Man and Daredevil comics, best known for helping Daredevil defeat Kingpin and the Green Goblin.
The publication also discovered a Nelson and Murdock calling card that players can collect from one of Peter’s backpacks. Additionally, Clinton Mission Shelter and Fogwell’s Gym are two landmarks players can access in Marvel’s Spider-Man that point to niche locations relevant to Daredevil’s origin story.
All signs point to something brewing at Insomnic Games, and fans believe it will either be a standalone Daredevil game or a DLC based on the popular hero.
Please tell me you have plans for a Daredevil game or DLC where we can play as him.
— Hal Jordan (@LanternJordan_) November 2, 2023
“Please tell me you have plans for a Daredevil game or DLC where we can play as him,” another user replied to Intihar on X.
Insomniac has said they don’t mind doing a Venom spin-off if fans want it, and a standalone Wolverine game is already in development. It cannot be ruled out that Matt Murdock will have a future in the hero game series.
Katie Reul is a freelance writer at IGN.
