Ted Price Departs Insomniac Games After 31 Years – What’s Next for the Studio?

After three decades of leadership, Ted Price, the founder and CEO of Insomniac Games, is stepping away from the industry. Price, who started the company in 1994, built Insomniac into one of gaming’s most respected studios, responsible for franchises like Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet & Clank, Resistance, and the massively successful Spider-Man series.

Under Price’s leadership, Insomniac became known not just for its blockbuster games but also for its positive workplace culture. Former employees describe him as a fair and approachable leader who prioritized transparency and teamwork.

“There was a joke around the office that we’d lucked out and gotten the rare ‘lawful good’ CEO.”

– said former narrative director Mary Kenney.

Why Is Ted Price Leaving?

Price’s decision to leave Insomniac comes after a gradual transition of responsibilities to senior leaders over the past year. Rather than staying on as an advisor, he’s opting for a “clean break.”

“I began sharing more of my responsibilities with members of my senior leadership team and realized that it probably would be great for me to make room at the top for new voices and new ideas.”

– Price said.

His departure raises questions about whether Insomniac can maintain its culture and creative independence under Sony, which acquired the studio in 2019 for $229 million.

What’s Next for Insomniac?

Insomniac’s leadership is now in the hands of three long-time studio veterans: Ryan Schneider (21 years at Insomniac), Chad Dezern (26 years), and Jen Huang (9 years). Price is confident they will uphold the studio’s values.

However, Sony’s growing influence is already being felt. Last year, the company began centralizing operations like HR across all of its studios, reducing Insomniac’s control over hiring. Additionally, at the end of 2023, Insomniac was hit by a 1.7-terabyte data leak, revealing internal projects and plans.

Despite the challenges, Price remains optimistic:

“We have 30 years of establishing a strong culture based on collaboration, transparency, and teamwork.”

“That’s the kind of thing that doesn’t change.”

One leaked document showed that Price had pushed back against Sony’s plans to cut 50 to 75 jobs from the studio. Those layoffs eventually happened in February 2024, a rare moment of turbulence for Insomniac.

What’s Next for Ted Price?

As for his future, Price plans to spend more time gaming (without analyzing bugs) and volunteer in STEM education efforts in Tennessee. He’s also considering launching a new company – though it won’t be in the gaming industry.

“I’m not putting pressure on myself to follow a specific timeline,”

“So I have time to do it slowly and at a pace that allows me to feel confident about whatever it will be.”

– he said.

Despite the leadership change, Insomniac’s lineup remains strong. The studio is working on a Wolverine game and other superhero projects in the vein of its Spider-Man series. While some fans worry about Sony’s growing control, Insomniac’s strong leadership and PlayStation’s continued support suggest the studio isn’t slowing down anytime soon.